WB-57F N926NA Mildenhall- 2nd Dec 2012

[Anmer]

Yes, excellent photos.

[Arno01]

For info, it came in from Afgan and went out to Lajes in the Azores on its way back to the US. NASA have just taken an old one from the boneyard to rebuild into another WB-57F

[viking9]

Thanks, Arno.

[viking9]

Perhaps this exchange is best handled by PMs?

No need Mike. Most of these missions are not classified - except in the minds of conspiracy theorists. 

[Brian]

Lajes Air Base Int. (LPLA / TER – info)
Terceira Island /Praia da Vitoria /Angra area

to

Bermuda Int'l (TXKF / BDA – info)
Hamilton
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA926/history/20121205/1038Z/LPLA/TXKF
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA926

The other one (NASA928) located in Nevada this past month.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA928
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA7

[viking9]

Thanks, Brian.

[Brian]

NASA's spooky plane on the way back to the U.S. after Tour of Duty in Afghanistan December 3, 2012
http://theaviationist.com/tag/nasa/

[viking9]

Contrary to the article, the "biggest force multiplier in Afghanistan" is the British Army's Apache AH-64D helicopter.   

[Brian]

NASA's WB-57F Canberra refuels at Lajes
by Lucas Silva
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

12/6/2012

LAJES FIELD, Azores -- A WB-57F Canberra owned by NASA landed at Lajes Field
for a refueling mission on its way back to Ellington Field near the NASA
Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Dec. 3.

There are only two fully-operational WB-57 aircraft in the world. Both have
been flying research missions since the early 1960s.

The NASA WB-57 provides unique, high-altitude airborne platforms to U.S.
Government agencies, academic institutions, and commercial customers in
order to support scientific research and advanced technology development and
testing at locations around the world.
-------------------------------------------------------
Photo Captions (larger, high-res versions can be viewed or downloaded at the
URLs):

1. Jack Salter, a NASA WB-57F Canberra crew chief, refuels the aircraft with
JP8 fuel provided by 65th Logistics Readiness Squadron refueling truck. The
NASA WB-57 provides unique, high-altitude airborne platforms to U.S.
Government agencies, academic institutions, and commercial customers in
order to support scientific research and advanced technology development and
testing at locations around the world. (Photos by Lucas Silva)
http://www.usafe.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2012/12/121203-F-ZZ999-016.jpg

2. Crewmembers exit a WB-57F Canberra, owned by NASA, after landing at Lajes
Field for a refueling mission on their way back to Ellington Field near the
NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Dec. 3. There are only two
fully-operational WB-57 aircraft in the world. Both have been flying
research missions since the early 1960s. (Photos by Lucas Silva)
http://www.usafe.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2012/12/121203-F-ZZ999-004.jpg

3. Francisco Augusto, 65th Operations Support Squadron Aerospace Ground
Equipment, checks the Dash 60 Generator's power output for the WB-57F
Canberra while providing airplane power support Dec. 3. The WB-57 provides
unique, high-altitude airborne platforms to U.S. government agencies,
academic institutions, and commercial customers in order to support
scientific research and advanced technology development and testing at
locations around the world. (Photos by Lucas Silva)
http://www.usafe.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2012/12/121203-F-ZZ999-012.jpg

4. NASA's WB-57F Canberra crew chief, Jack Salter, refuels the aircraft with
JP8 fuel provided by 65th Logistics Readiness Squadron refueling truck. The
NASA WB-57 provides unique, high-altitude airborne platforms to U.S.
Government agencies, academic institutions, and commercial customers in
order to support scientific research and advanced technology development and
testing at locations around the world. (Photos by Lucas Silva)
http://www.usafe.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2012/12/121203-F-ZZ999-013.jpg

5. A WB-57F Canberra lands at Lajes Field for a refueling mission on their
way back to Ellington Field near the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston,
Texas, Dec. 3. There are only two fully-operational WB-57 aircraft in the
world. Both have been flying research missions since the early 1960s.
(Photos by Lucas Silva)
http://www.usafe.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2012/12/121203-F-ZZ999-021.jpg