First Operational B-52
Boeing RB-52B Stratofortress #52-8711

29 June 1955: The first operational Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, RB-52B-15-BO 52-8711, was delivered to the 93rd Bombardment Wing, Heavy, at Castle Air Force Base, Merced, California. The bomber was accepted from Boeing at Larson Air Force Base, Moses Lake, Washington, by the 93rd’s commanding officer, Brigadier General William Emanuel Eubank, Jr., U.S. Air Force, before flying to Castle. The new long-range heavy bombers would replace the 93rd’s Boeing B-47 Stratojets.

RB-52B 52-8711 remained in active service until 29 September 1965. Today it is on display at the Strategic Air and Aerospace Museum, Ashland, Nebraska.