It's big, ugly, and arguably the greatest long term financial investment the United States military has ever made.
The B-52 Stratofortress made its comeback out of retirement and did so in spectacular fashion on Wednesday.
On its first combat deployment to the Mideast since the 1991 Gulf war, the Air Force's bomber has conducted initial airstrikes against ISIS, military officials said.
"On Monday, this iconic platform conducted its first mission against an [ISIS] weapons storage facility in Qayyarah" in northwestern Iraq south of Mosul, said Army Col. Steve Warren, a spokesman in Baghdad for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.
The Boeing long range strategic bomber which won its contract bid in 1946 was not designed for reconnaissance, refueling, or to analyze climate change. The B-52 was designed for the sole purpose to destroy massive amounts of enemy infrastructure and personnel.
With a long and narrow fuselage, the bomber can carry hundreds of conventional bombs along with nuclear missiles. It has seen service in the Cold War, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf war. Simply put, this bomber has staying power.
To some, the aircraft is know as the BUFF or Big Ugly Fat F*****. And to those unfortunate people who have experienced the business end of the B-52, well I guess it really doesn't matter.