---
title: "This Strategic Air Command Airpower Demonstration From 1987 Is Just Bonkers"
description: "A B-52, KC-10, FB-111, and two KC-135s pulled off wild maneuvers, many of which wouldn't be allowed today, over Offutt AFB at the end of the Cold War."
date: "2020-03-08"
modified: "2020-03-08"
authors:
  - name: "Tyler Rogoway"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway"
url: "https://www.twz.com/32508/this-strategic-air-command-air-power-demonstration-from-1987-is-just-bonkers"
categories:
  - "Air"
  - "B-52"
  - "Bombers"
  - "Cold War"
  - "History"
  - "KC-135"
  - "Military Aviation History"
  - "News & Features"
  - "Nuclear"
  - "Nuclear History"
  - "Tankers"
tags:
  - "air show"
  - "B-52"
  - "BUFF"
  - "Cold War"
  - "demo"
  - "Demonstration"
  - "Extender"
  - "FB-111"
  - "flyby"
  - "KC-10"
  - "KC-135"
  - "Must Read Features"
  - "Offutt AFB"
  - "Strategic Air Command"
  - "Stratofortress"
  - "Stratotanker"
---

# This Strategic Air Command Airpower Demonstration From 1987 Is Just Bonkers

![](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-twz/content/2020/03/345345345.jpg>)
*www.twz.com*

The [twilight of the Cold War](<https://www.twz.com/24711/this-massive-naval-exercise-in-1989-was-the-pinnacle-of-u-s-cold-war-maritime-might>) was one of the most interesting times in American airpower history. There was so much older gear built-up, while a whole new generation of air combat systems was [just hitting the flight lines](<https://www.twz.com/32213/b-1b-loses-low-level-mission-annual-flight-hours-capped-heres-how-it-got-to-this-point>) or [would be doing so soon](<https://www.twz.com/26432/this-test-force-highlight-video-shows-the-b-2-spirit-like-youve-never-seen-it-before>). America's [strategic arsenal](<https://www.twz.com/29945/the-time-when-a-burning-b-52-nearly-caused-a-nuclear-catastrophe-worse-than-chernobyl>) was staggering in size and capability. Strategic Air Command presided over throngs of aircraft that [were focused primarily](<https://www.twz.com/7975/this-is-what-usaf-bomber-pilots-would-wear-during-a-nuclear-apocalypse>) on [putting nuclear warheads on targets](<https://www.twz.com/28180/b-52-would-have-nuked-soviet-air-defenses-on-the-way-to-their-targets-using-these-missiles>) in the Soviet Union. It was also an era of far looser regulations when it came to flying demonstrations, hence the video below, shot at Offutt AFB in 1987, depicting a Strategic Air Command airpower demo replete with a [B-52](<https://www.twz.com/28015/a-b-52h-nicknamed-wise-guy-becomes-the-second-to-ever-come-back-from-the-bone-yard>), a KC-135A and a [KC-135R](<https://www.twz.com/14007/usaf-breathing-new-life-into-ancient-kc-135-tankers-with-this-new-glass-cockpit>), a [KC-10](<https://www.twz.com/31609/this-cockpit-video-of-a-kc-10-refueling-another-kc-10-is-amazing>), and even an [FB-111](<https://www.twz.com/4595/flying-the-iconic-swing-wing-f-111-aardvark-at-the-height-of-the-cold-war>).

The heavy jets put on one ridiculously awesome flying display, which included tight turns, high-speed passes at low-level, maneuvering formation work, and even a crazy overhead break. The KC-135A's J57 and [B-52's TF33 engines](<https://www.twz.com/6825/engine-falls-off-b-52-during-a-training-sortie-over-north-dakota>) trace the planes' paths across the sky with ink-like smoke trails.

The KC-135A's part of the dual demonstration alongside the B-52 is the wildest of them all. One low-level pass, in particular, is especially intense. The KC-135R's demo is a bit more subdued, but the KC-10 that follows it is downright amazing. The huge tri-jet tanker wheels around the sky with remarkable agility, executing steep bank turns and climbs. By the time the FB-111 comes along in the second video, it almost looks tame.

There are some great little quotes in there as well, like "that is fucking impressive!" when the B-52 does its first pass and guns its eight engines. But the best has to be "take this Muammar!" just before the FB-111's high-speed pass.

It doesn't get more 1980s than that!

https://youtube.com/embed/QxTqfS0HUxE

https://youtube.com/embed/X2TNlvgqs5E

In the 33 years since this video was filmed, safety restrictions placed on air show demonstrations and flybys have grown ever more heavy-handed. After the [crash of a B-52 practicing](<https://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/Czar52Crash.htm>) for an air show at Fairchild AFB in Washington State in 1994, restrictions got far more invasive for the big jet demonstrations. Today, even what seems like a [benign planned flyover can ruin](<https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2020-01-31/video-this-f-a-18-flyover-cost-a-miramar-squadron-commander-his-job-and-likely-his-career>) a pilot's career.

As such, this video is truly a time capsule of sorts that depicts conditions that will never occur again.

*Author's Note: Hat tip to Sterling Stroebel for the assist on this gem!*

*Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com*

## Author
Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day.

### Author social links  
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