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BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – --

The 2nd Bomb Wing recently welcomed back a 95-year-old retired Air Force engine mechanic whose story intertwines with the enduring legacy of Barksdale’s premiere bomber, the B-52H.

On the sunny autumn day of October 18, 2023, Senior Master Sgt. John McNeece, a distinguished veteran who served in the Air Force from 1952 until late 1975, returned to the very base where his journey began.

Amidst the Korean War, many Americans were drafted into military service, but McNeece elected to enlist in the Air Force of his own fruition. As a member of a patriotic family with four brothers who had served in World War II, he said he felt a duty to follow suit. His initial decision to join the Air Force was driven by the desire to avoid being drafted into the Army. He wanted to serve but had a strong preference for the skies.

Upon completing his basic training, McNeece was sent to Barksdale Air Force Base where he worked in the mess hall while he awaited technical training. Recollecting his arrival, he described the base as awesome and marveled at its size. The live oak trees that lined the streets left a lasting impression on him.

Following his stint at Barksdale, McNeece's journey took him to Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, where he received training in engine maintenance.

Initially, he worked on the B-36, but that changed with the introduction of the B-52 Stratofortress.

When McNeece switched to the B-52 he became part of the first-generation of B-52 maintainers and specialized as an engine mechanic.

He said he vividly recalled the first time he laid eyes on the B-52.

"I thought it was the biggest thing in the world," says McNeece. For a young man hailing from a modest farm in Mississippi, it was a breathtaking experience.

McNeece's dedication to his job was relentless, and he excelled at it. At one point he held the record for the fastest tear-down and rebuild of a B-52 engine.

While McNeece will always have his memories to reflect on, he wanted to visit Barksdale to meet the present-day maintainers of the B-52H bomber. As he shared stories from his time in service, he said he was awestruck by the longevity of the B-52. He never envisioned that the iconic aircraft would continue to serve the nation for so many decades.

McNeece said he noticed subtle differences in the B-52 since his time, some bulges here and there, but most notably the growth in engine size. However, the essence of the aircraft and the camaraderie he cherished remained unchanged.

"I'd crawl across that runway if I could work on it again,” says McNeece. “I miss the work. I miss the camaraderie of the guys I worked with. It's still there today, I could feel it, I could see it."

Before he left, he spoke of the immense pride he felt standing alongside a group of young Airmen.

"When you stand among a group of uniformed servicemen, you've got to be proud,” says McNeece. “No way in the world you could stand there if you're not. You're proud, and you should be."

McNeece's visit to Barksdale Air Force Base serves as a reminder of the lasting legacy of the B-52 bomber and the commitment of those who work so hard to keep it flying. His journey, from a farm in Mississippi to the flight line at Barksdale, encapsulates the spirit of service and dedication that has defined both the base and the iconic B-52 for generations.

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A new leader took over command of the 2nd Bomb Wing from Col. Weyermuller in a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base on Monday.

Command transferred to Col. Michael Maginness, the previous Commander of the 5th Mission Support Group at Minot Air Force Base. Maginess served as the commander of the 23rd Bomb Squad at Minot Air Force Base. He was promoted in 2023 following a shake-up in which 5th Mission Support Group Commander Col. Gregory Mayer and others were fired.

Maginness is no stranger to Barksdale. As a Captain, he served as an instructor pilot and weapons officer with the 20th Bomb Squadron.

During Monday’s ceremony, Maginness said he was happy to be back.

“My family and I are beyond excited to have the opportunity to serve again with the men and women of the 2nd Bomb Wing. Our first operational assignment in the Air Force was right here with the 96th Bomb Squadron, so in many ways, this is a homecoming for us. From the Western Front of World War I to the Global War on Terror, the Deuce has always led the way. We are humbled and honored to once again be a part of America’s greatest bomb wing.”

Over his Air Force career, Maginness has been dedicated to training and exercises to ensure airmen have the practical skills to handle any situation. He emphasized the importance of being thorough during the 2010 Global Strike Challenge.

“We will practice [checklists], get objectives, and practice them some more,” said Capt. Maginness in a 2011 interview for Air Force Magazine. “Sometimes [we try] to make folks fail. …The breadth of our mission sets us apart. We have to be nuclear experts all the time and meet other missions.”

During exercise Green Flag East 17-03 in 2017, when he was commander of the 23rd Bomb Squad at Minot AFB, Maginness said, “The lessons learned from Green Flag gave us the opportunity to refine training and be ready to strike any target set, anytime, anywhere.”

In his new role as commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing, he will be responsible for providing combat-ready B-52H aircraft crews and combat support for global operational tasks. Barksdale’s installation commander supports 32 tenant units, including Headquarters, Air Force Global Strike Command, Headquarters of the 8th Air Force, the Air Force Reserve Command, and 307th Bomb Wing. He is responsible for the welfare of more than 11,400 military and civilian personnel, 6,300 family members, and 25,000 retirees.

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – Barksdale Air Force Base has been chosen as one of six Air Force Global Strike Command bases to pilot the Targeted Care concept. TC standardizes the patient intake and evaluation process, and ensures the patient gets the specific care they need in a timely manner. “In these beginning stages of integration, the TC pilot bases have already seen success with decreased mental health patient care wait times,” said Lt. Col. Charnell Smith, Office of Command Surgeon, Mental Health Branch, Chief. The TC concept comes in response to a steady increase in the use of behavioral health care across the Air Force. This has resulted in limited access to care, and in turn, a reduction in mission effectiveness and readiness. TC is designed with medical readiness in mind, connecting patients to the proper level of care for their needs and ensuring a swift recovery. Now when a patient visits or calls the Mental Health Clinic at the 2nd Medical Group, their immediate health concerns are assessed by a technician collaborating with a provider. Based on this information, staff members work with the patient to connect them to the various services available both on and off base. If the MHC determines that short-term, non-clinical care is needed, the patient will be connected to one of the many resources Barksdale has to offer. These include, but are not limited to, the Military and Family Life Counselors, chaplains, Military OneSource, and Primary Care Behavioral Health. If a more thorough assessment is required, the patient will be evaluated by a provider to determine if MHC care is necessary and at what level. Group treatment is typically the first approach for most patients receiving care in the MHC. “The benefits of individualized treatment and feeling better sooner comes down to two factors,” said Major Johanna Echigo, 2nd Operational Medical Readiness Squadron mental health flight commander. “The first is that cognitive behavioral therapy is used in both group and individualized treatment so patients are learning the same skills. The second is that they can feel better sooner because of the ease of access.” TC represents a shift in the utilization of behavioral health care resources and is set to be implemented across the Air Force. The change allocates resources while ensuring members get the support they need to improve their mental health and get back to their lives in a timely manner.

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SEOUL, South Korea — The first B-52H Stratofortress to land on the Korean Peninsula in at least 30 years may become the centerpiece of aerial drills between the U.S., South Korea and Japan.

The bomber touched down Tuesday afternoon at Cheongju International Airport, about 60 miles south of Seoul, a Ministry of National Defense official told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday on a customary condition of anonymity.

The B-52 also flew over the capital alongside at least four South Korean F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters for a defense exhibition in Seoul, according to photos released by the ministry Tuesday.

The bomber’s visit reinforces the United States’ “ironclad commitment” to defend the South from a North Korean attack, according to a USFK news release Monday.

Fighter jets from the U.S., South Korea and Japan will escort the B-52 during an aerial drill over the peninsula on Sunday, an unnamed South Korean military official told the Yonhap News Agency for a report Wednesday.

South Korea’s Ministry of Defense declined to confirm the report in a statement Wednesday but said Seoul will continue to conduct trilateral training due to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

U.S. Forces Korea spokesman David Kim also declined to confirm the report in an email Wednesday, citing the command’s policy of not commenting on planned joint exercises.

North Korea has fired 21 ballistic missiles in 14 separate days of testing so far this year, including a solid-fueled Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile launched July 12. It flew for roughly 74 minutes and theoretically could have reached the continental United States.

On Aug. 18, President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held the first-ever standalone summit between their countries at Camp David, Md., where they ushered in a “new era of trilateral partnership” in the wake of North Korean threats.

“We are committed to pursuing enhanced ballistic missile defense cooperation to counter [North Korea’s] nuclear and missile threats,” a joint statement said. “We reaffirm that achieving a world without nuclear weapons is a common goal for the international community, and we continue to make every effort to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again.”

Biden and Yoon also agreed to boost the U.S. military’s presence in South Korea through regular deployments of strategic assets.

The USS Kentucky made a port call at Busan in July, marking the first such visit by a U.S. ballistic missile submarine since 1981.

Nearly two months after the Camp David summit, South Korea and Japan conducted a maritime exercise with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group in international waters near Seoul’s Jeju Island.

The two-day training, which kicked off Oct. 9, focused on maritime interdiction — stopping, boarding and searching vessels at sea — and anti-piracy drills, according to South Korea’s military.

The drill led by the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier included South Korea’s Yulgok Yi I, a destroyer equipped with the Aegis missile-defense system and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Hyuga destroyer.

“Our continued dialogue … demonstrate our shared resolve to maintain the status quo of peace and defend against aggression,” U.S. 7th Fleet’s commander, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, said in a Navy news release at the time.

The Ronald Reagan is the second U.S. aircraft carrier to visit South Korea so far this year. The USS Nimitz docked in Busan on March 28 for the two-week Ssangyong exercise.

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.-- --

Barksdale Air Force Base will host the Defenders of Liberty Air Show, March 25-26.

Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. with the show scheduled from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on both days. Event admission as well as parking is free, however, overnight parking will not be permitted.

Visitors can expect performances from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Red Bull Aviation, Rob Holland, Kevin Coleman, Aftershock Jet Fire Truck, Randy Ball, and many more. There will also be fly overs by B-1B Lancers, B-2 Spirits and B-52H Stratofortresses.

“I know that the community, leadership and our Airmen at all levels are extremely excited,” said Maj. Branden Yarrington, 2nd Operations Support Squadron director of staff and airshow director. “One of the great aspects about military air shows is that the public gets a chance to see our hardworking Airmen and our impressive equipment in action.”

Food and drinks will be available for purchase during the show. Upon entry, attendees will be subject to search for any unauthorized items.

Permitted items include: diaper bags and small purses (not to exceed one cubic foot), strollers, wheelchairs, and electric scooters (for handicapped/elderly), small cameras (without bags), lawn chairs. and camera bags and cases.

Prohibited items include: weapons (i.e., guns, knives, pepper spray), illegal drugs, outside alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, pets (excluding service animals), sports equipment (i.e. roller skates, bicycles, skateboards), drones, large hand carried items (i.e. tote bags, backpacks, coolers), laser pointers, tobacco products and electronic cigarettes (unless in designated areas).

For updates, follow Defenders of Liberty Air Show on Facebook and Instagram. For additional information, visit defendersoflibertyairshow.com.

FAQS:

Is there a cost?

No. Admission and parking are both free.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the show. Patrons may bring an empty water bottle to the show as free water stations will be available. Otherwise, outside food and drinks are not permitted.

Will there be any food or souvenirs available?

Yes. There will be concessions at the air show for food, drinks, and souvenirs.

I have small children. Can I bring a stroller, wagon and/or diaper bag?

Yes. Strollers, wagons and diaper bags not exceeding one cubic foot are permitted but will be searched at the security checkpoint.

Where can I find a schedule for the air show?

A finalized schedule is in the works. Please continue to check the air show website for updates as the event nears.

Will other seating be available if I do not bring a chair?

No. The only additional seating available is the reserved seating in which patrons can purchase tickets at https://defendersoflibertyairshow.com/reserved-seating

Where should I park and what gate should I use to access the base?

Patrons will enter through the West (Shreveport) and North (Bossier) gates and will be directed to the designated parking areas.

Can I bring my camera?

Yes. Patrons can bring cameras, lenses with cases and camera bags. All bags and camera gear are subject to search at the security checkpoint.

Can I bring a blanket and umbrella?

Yes, both are permitted.

Can I bring hand portable radios and Bluetooth speakers?

No, neither are permitted at the air show.

Can I leave and re-enter the air show?

Yes. Guests may come and go as they please but should be mindful that re-entry may be difficult with traffic and lines getting through the security checkpoints.

Is tailgating allowed?

No. Guests are not allowed to stay in or around vehicles during the show.

Is smoking allowed?

Yes, but only in the designated smoking area.

Will restroom facilities be easily accessible?

Yes. Portable restrooms will be located across the flight line.

Should I bring hearing protection?

It is highly encouraged that you bring hearing protection – especially for children. Aircraft will be taking off, landing, and performing, which will be extremely loud.

When will the Blue Angels be performing?

The Blue Angels will perform their demonstrations both Saturday and Sunday.

What happens if it rains?

Weather-related notifications will be announced at the show and on the air show social media sites (Facebook and Instagram). Unless an air show cancellation announcement is made, expect the show to continue as many aerial acts can still perform in low cloud conditions. There will also be indoor activities available.

How much will reserved seating cost and where can I purchase tickets?

Those interested in reserved seating can purchase seats at the link below:

https://defendersoflibertyairshow.com/reserved-seating

I'm interested in having an informational booth or being a vendor for the air show. Who do I contact?

Potential vendors may contact Teresa Campbell with the 2nd Force Support Squadron at 318-456-2451 or email at [email protected].

I don’t see the answer to my question. Where can I go for additional information?

For more information on the air show, visit the air show website at defendersoflibertyairshow.com and our social media accounts at @DefendersofLibertyAirShow (Instagram/Facebook). If you don’t see the information you’re looking for now, continue to check back as the air show team puts out additional information as the event gets closer.