{"id":35850,"date":"2017-10-23T20:35:15","date_gmt":"2017-10-23T20:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/10\/23\/air-force-no-imminent-plans-to-put-b-52s-on-24-hour-alert\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:33:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:33:10","slug":"air-force-no-imminent-plans-to-put-b-52s-on-24-hour-alert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2017\/10\/23\/air-force-no-imminent-plans-to-put-b-52s-on-24-hour-alert\/","title":{"rendered":"US Air Force: No imminent plans to put B-52s on 24-hour alert"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Air Force has no immediate plans to put its nuclear-capable B-52 bombers back on 24-hour alert, although officials have acknowledged the service is making improvements to facilities that could support a change in status should U.S. Strategic Command make that decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an Oct. 22 story, Defense One reported<\/a> that the Air Force was preparing to put the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress back on 24-alert for the first time ever since 1991. The story, based on an interview with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, noted that an alert order had not been given by STRATCOM head Gen. John Hyten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report ignited a firestorm of media attention from mainstream publications that interpreted the return to alert status as a foregone conclusion, not as a possibility, and questioned whether this was yet another sign of increasing tension with North Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek clarified that a return to alert status is not imminent. However, she acknowledged there are preparations happening \u2014 albeit of a more mundane sort \u2014 that would support a future decision to return B-52s to a 24-hour alert should combatant commanders decide to do so down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPreparations like updating base infrastructure,\u201d such as improvements to alert facilities, munitions storage and dining facilities; \u201cconducting exercises; and modernizing equipment are necessary to maintain a baseline level of readiness,\u201d she said. \u201cWe do this routinely as part of our organize, train and equip mission so our forces are ready to respond when called upon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t