View Full Version : I am curious about an aircraft I saw
BPTactical
10-12-2012, 11:50
Yesterday I know that there was a mass casualty exercise at DIA (Operation Vortex) and a couple of other locations.
The exercise was allegedly focused on a tornado strike and dealing with the ensuing issues that may arise from such.
OK, fair enough.
But I was very surprised when I heard a pretty loud and low aircraft about 4:30 pm. I step out side of the shop and look up to see a large, grey swing wing military aircraft cruising low and slow west of DIA. I did not recognize it off hand and did a bit of poking around and deduced it was a B-1.
Curious if it was part of the exercise and if it was, just what value would a B-1 be for a natural disaster exercise?
Anybody have an idea? I didn't think to snap a pic until after the fact.
SideShow Bob
10-12-2012, 11:55
I also saw the B-1 slowly cruise over SE Denver yesterday afternoon about 1530 hrs.
StagLefty
10-12-2012, 11:56
Back in the shop citizen. We are here for your own good. [ROFL1]
Yup saw it at I 70 and Quebec flew right over me
hghclsswhitetrsh
10-12-2012, 11:57
Yup I saw two of what your describing leave Buckley heading north north west around 330 pm.
hghclsswhitetrsh
10-12-2012, 11:57
Yup saw it at I 70 and Quebec flew right over me
Yup I was at tower and i70
HoneyBadger
10-12-2012, 11:59
Doubt it was related to whatever exercise was going on at DIA. B-1Bs are designed for speedy and stealthy delivery of lots of ordinance.
... just what value would a B-1 be for a natural disaster exercise?
Anybody have an idea? I didn't think to snap a pic until after the fact.
It would be useful in determining where to bury the survivors...[LOL]
hollohas
10-12-2012, 12:13
Saw it too as I was driving south on 470 (around Jewel) at about 3:00pm. It was headed north (landing I think) and I swear it came to a dead stop in the air it was going so slow. My guess is it was 100ft up and a couple hundred feet to the West of 470 at the time. I didn't think any aircraft that size had any hover capabilities so I guess my eyes were playing tricks on me.
It was awesome to see.
You guys just keep trying to get them to monitor this site.. talking of things.
yep, B-1 lancer
you probably saw this if the wings were swept back.
http://www.milavia.net/downloads/wallpapers/previews/26.jpg
I saw this:
http://www.armedforces-int.com/upload/image_files/news/568_usaf-b-1b-lancer-bomber-systems-upgrades_content_B-1B_Systems_Upgrades.jpg/
You guys just keep trying to get them to monitor this site.. talking of things.
[ROFL3]
BPTactical
10-12-2012, 12:41
Wings forward, low speed configuration.
wctriumph
10-12-2012, 12:47
When I used to travel to Rapid City, SD I would see B1's all the time. Two would take off and head north and within the hour two others would land. I always figured it was a changing of the guard kind of thing going on.
hollohas
10-12-2012, 12:50
Wings forward, low speed configuration.
Yup. I have seen a lot of planes land and this one was without a doubt the slowest I have ever seen. Impressive.
Move along... Nothing to see here... [Coffee]
I'll bet that it's completely unrelated... maybe... [Peep]
SA Friday
10-12-2012, 13:12
Buckley is a popular RON (Rest over night) station. It does't have a VOQ on base, so crews get to stay at a hotel off base. This changes how much money they get for the overnight, it's more. So, if you had the option between resting overnight at Buckley or Pete, which one would you choose as a pilot?
BushMasterBoy
10-12-2012, 13:30
The term is "variable geometry".
ruthabagah
10-12-2012, 13:41
Vortex is a "mass casualty" exercise. The B1s are part of it. For "containment" in case of perimeter breach....
Ok, now back to my tinfoil hat.
Inconel710
10-12-2012, 13:43
Buckley is a popular RON (Rest over night) station. It does't have a VOQ on base, so crews get to stay at a hotel off base. This changes how much money they get for the overnight, it's more. So, if you had the option between resting overnight at Buckley or Pete, which one would you choose as a pilot?
Not true - Buckley opened transient quarters on base earlier this year. Per diem rates probably haven't changed though since there's no DFAC.
since there's no DFAC.
You mean Chow Hall?...
SA Friday
10-12-2012, 14:00
Not true - Buckley opened transient quarters on base earlier this year. Per diem rates probably haven't changed though since there's no DFAC.
Wow... didn't know that. I haven't been out there for a while. If the per diem hasn't changed, they are still going to want to RON there over other locations though.
Sharpienads
10-12-2012, 15:00
Probably unrelated to the exercise, but...
The Bone (B-1... get it? Spell it out...) has a long loiter time, a synthetic aperture radar, and can also be fitted with a targeting pod. It also has many comms capabilities on just about every spectrum. We use them a lot for NTISR (Non Traditional Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) in Asskrackistan. They could prove useful in a limited role during a mass casualty situation, but I'm not sure of the legality of that. The radar can pick up things like vehicles, buildings, etc. The targeting pod can pick up a lot more detail both day and night and pull coordinates of whatever it's looking at. Although using a Bone in this role wouldn't provide you with anything you couldn't get from a RQ-1 Predator, and would be way more expensive.
Like I said, probably unrelated, but used in a non traditional way and with a little ingenuity it might be useful.
Tinelement
10-12-2012, 15:12
Wait...
So DIA is running exercises, Bones are flying over....
I walked outside today to 2 of the those helicopters, the ones with front and rear rotors, flying in formation! This is scary....
[DC3]
[ROFL1]
Sharpienads
10-12-2012, 15:14
You mean Chow Hall?...
I call it a DFAC, too. Same thing.
Sharpienads
10-12-2012, 15:15
Wait...
So DIA is running exercises, Bones are flying over....
I walked outside today to 2 of the those helicopters, the ones with front and rear rotors, flying in formation! This is scary....
[DC3]
[ROFL1]
Were they painted scary black, or tactical green?
Tinelement
10-12-2012, 15:18
Were they painted scary black, or tactical green?
I was sprinting for my AR!!!
I keed.... They were to far, didn't have my glasses on to see color. But, I see them frequently on the same route. Just figure it's training.
Fun to think tho!! [ROFL1]
Were they painted scary black, or tactical green?
Invisible, like Wonder Woman's plane...
cglKuOsSklk
You guys just keep trying to get them to monitor this site.. talking of things.
"They" have been monitoring this site for years. A few of "them" are probably members I've given positive feedback to. I think monitoring this particular site is a very low priority for .gov right now. Nearly everyone here seems respectable and squared away.
[Beer]
Sharpienads
10-12-2012, 17:03
"They" have been monitoring this site for years. A few of "them" are probably members I've given positive feedback to. I think monitoring this particular site is a very low priority for .gov right now. Nearly everyone here seems respectable and squared away.
[Beer]
Keyword being "seems". [Muaha]
I call it a DFAC, too. Same thing.
The old grumpy non PC dude in me refuses to call it anything other than a chow hall.
sabot_round
10-12-2012, 18:00
The old grumpy non PC dude in me refuses to call it anything other than a chow hall.
I call it a mess hall. Old army I guess.[Beer]
Vortex is a "mass casualty" exercise. The B1s are part of it. For "containment" in case of perimeter breach....
Ok, now back to my tinfoil hat.
^ This ^
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/mushroom-cloud-hb.jpg
[Poke]
I call it a mess hall. Old army I guess.[Beer]
When we had to do AIT classes 2nd shift, midnight rats at the mess after PT. Mmmmm
SideShow Bob
10-12-2012, 18:03
Wait...
So DIA is running exercises, Bones are flying over....
I walked outside today to 2 of the those helicopters, the ones with front and rear rotors, flying in formation! This is scary....
[DC3]
[ROFL1]
CH-47 ShitHooks, er ah, Chinooks. Or the Marine version CH-46 Sea Knight.
Byte Stryke
10-12-2012, 18:06
You guys just keep trying to get them to monitor this site.. talking of things.
we have been monit.. I mean they have been monitoring for years
:D
sabot_round
10-12-2012, 18:11
When we had to do AIT classes 2nd shift, midnight rats at the mess after PT. Mmmmm
AKA brown bags!!
anaphylaxis
10-12-2012, 18:51
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/ManWearingTinFoilHat.jpg
buckeye4rnr
10-12-2012, 19:21
Ever seen "The Crazies"? The end of that could be what the bones were for.
^ This ^
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/mushroom-cloud-hb.jpg
[Poke]
Not even.
I give you, the BONER (B-1R)
FFsYcK5lWrQ
the B-1R is said to be flown by ponies
the B-1R is said to be flown by ponies
From the air demonstration squadron The Wonderbolts...
Fb01MuDhf3s
From the air demonstration squadron The Wonderbolts...
Fb01MuDhf3s
lol
anaphylaxis
10-12-2012, 21:49
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120617213315/ed/images/7/7b/Sonic_Rainboom_1.png
The Bone (B-1... get it? Spell it out...) has a long loiter time, a synthetic aperture radar, and can also be fitted with a targeting pod. It also has many comms capabilities on just about every spectrum.
I think I talked to that plane on my CB radio today.
I think I talked to that plane on my CB radio today.
lol i doubt it!
TriggerHappy
10-12-2012, 22:23
The Bone didn't come to DIA, I didn't hear about it.
Op Votex was a statewide event. There were a few places they used.
They flew in to APA over 5 years ago. When they departed, I guess they shattered a bunch of residential windows.. Oops. They quit coming there after that.
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