By Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick, 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs / Published February 21, 2018
Airmen assigned to the 2nd Maintenance Squadron wash a B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 9, 2018. The B-52 was washed before it began its inspection process at the phase hangar where every component of the aircraft was completely examined and repaired when necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)
Airman 1st Class Gena Kershaw, 2nd Maintenance Squadron repair and restoration crew chief, examines a B-52 Stratofortress before washing it at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 9, 2018. Specialized soap was used on the airframe to get rid of grime such as dirt, grease and soot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)
Airman 1st Class Torie Steele, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection apprentice, wipes off a panel on a B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Feb. 9, 2018. The B-52 is washed after every 450 flight hours to clean and prepare it for a phase inspection which ensures the aircraft is always mission ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)
Airmen assigned to the 2nd Maintenance Squadron wash a B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 9, 2018. Airmen wear water-resistant suits, goggles, boots, face shields and gloves to protect them from the chemicals used during the wash. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)
Airman 1st Class Anthony Hick, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection apprentice, uses a brush to scrub the tail of a B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Feb. 9, 2018. Washing the B-52 allows phase inspection technicians to see all damage on the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)
Airman 1st Class Mark Gira, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection apprentice, rinses off the wing of a B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 9, 2018. During the washing process, reclaimed water was used to reduce waste. Washing bay drains collect the water for later use on other B-52s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)
Airman 1st Class Michael Sullivan, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection apprentice, wipes off components of the wheel well of a B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 9, 2018. Following the wash, the B-52 went through the phase inspection process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)
Staff Sgt. Harrison Mishler, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection crew chief, uses a rag to remove dirt and other debris out of the inside of a wheel well on a B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 9, 2018. Cleaning out these areas allows even the smallest imperfections to be found during a phase inspection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)
Airman Toritseju Popo, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection crew chief, looks over a recently washed B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 9, 2018. The aircraft was looked over multiple times before it was sent to the next stage of the phase inspection process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)
Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Fennimore, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection craftsman, scrubs the wing of a B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 9, 2018. The entire washing process for a B-52 can last 24 to 36 hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick)