Pilot and Commander Buck’s BUFFs

EXCLUSIVE

From flying nuclear alert missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis to orchestrating B-52 offensive operations for Desert Storm, Lt Gen Ellie ‘Buck’ G Shuler, Jr, USAF (ret’d) spoke to Dr Kevin Wright about the highlights of his 32- year USAF career involving the Stratofortress.

A B-52H of the 42nd BW taking on fuel during a Gulf War mission in 1991.
USAF/ Dennis Smith via David F Brown
Lt Gen Ellie ‘Buck’ G Shuler, Jr when he was serving as 8th Air Force commander.
Via Lt Gen Ellie ‘Buck’ G Shuler, Jr (ret’d)

“In October 1960, I was among the first group of air force pilots selected to enter the B-52 force direct from jet pilot training. After completing a series of courses, including B-52 ground school, I went to Walker AFB in New Mexico to begin flying the B-52E.” After completing flight training on the bomber, a survival course and nuclear weapons school the then Lt Ellie ‘Buck’ G Shuler, Jr was posted to the 9th Bombardment Squadron (BS), part of the 7th Bombardment Wing (BW), at Carswell AFB in Texas, flying the B-52F.

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