Where can I see a B1 bomber?

[MicWayWal]

I have never seen a B1 or B2 strategic bomber. I would like to see one or maybe a 100 up close and personal. Any ideas where I could see one in the near future?

[venchka]

Once upon a time I heard that there were some in either North or South Dakota. Don't quote me on that. The location is probably super classified.

[dlanter]

Not sure how 'up close & personal' you can get but Dyess air base in Abilene has a large squad of B1s. In fact next spring is the 25th anniversary of the B1B Lancer at Dyess. I'm sure they will have a big celebration then. When I was living there, you could get the best viewing from Hwy 277 south of the base.

[Kev]

Best bet to see one up close would be an airshow close to you.. other than Dyess, they're stationed at McConnell (KS, Air Guard)); Ellsworth (SD) Mountain Home (ID) Ellsworth (SD) and Robins (GA Air Guard)..there were also a couple of test beds at Edwards at one time.

and no, that information is not classified..

[CaptainTom]

Here's a site to check on now and then.

Here's another that might get you some inside info.

[Kev]

should have added.. the 2009 show season is drawing to a close this month. Most of the shows start back up in March-April...

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by dlanter

Not sure how 'up close & personal' you can get but Dyess air base in Abilene has a large squad of B1s. In fact next spring is the 25th anniversary of the B1B Lancer at Dyess. I'm sure they will have a big celebration then. When I was living there, you could get the best viewing from Hwy 277 south of the base.

I go out to Abilene quite often to see my daughter at HSU. If I go out to the base is there a place to sit and watch them land and take-off? Will they allow me to take photographs?

[bondarnes]

I would suggest contacting the information officer at Dyess. He can tell you the protocol.

[djroga]

A relative flew early on on B1 from Dyess...in fact he actually got to eject once when a B1 went down. He has since retired. We saw the planes up close on base, but never took pics. This was all prior to 9/11. They are impressive to say the least.

[dlanter]

Originally Posted by MicWayWal

I go out to Abilene quite often to see my daughter at HSU. If I go out to the base is there a place to sit and watch them land and take-off? Will they allow me to take photographs?

From the main gate you really won't be able to see anything except the buildings and I doubt they would want you to hang around the gate area. From the north gate you might have a better chance of seeing the flights, but again they won't want you sitting there. The town of Tye is just north of the main runway and you might find a business parking lot to watch takeoffs or landings. Pull up a google map of Tye, TX and you will get a better idea of the layout.

[Westx]

If you go to Tye there is a road that goes to the back gate and you can normally set along that road and see them take off and land from there. I was stationed out there for nearly 7 years and that is the way I went to work everyday since I lived in Merkel.

[jcarroll]

West of Abilene on I20, south of Tye, TX on FM 707 a little over a mile is Rister Park. You should be able to watch there IF they are flying. All along FM 707 south until it intersects Hiway 277 South out of Abilene are good vantage points. NOTE: There are cautions signs on the perimeter fencing and you just might be approached by security. There doesn't seem to be any consistent flight schedule, but frequently they do fly. At night is especially awesome. Good luck.

[Imagebuffet]

I saw the B1B at Alamogordo Air Force Base in 2007, during the 2007 Air & Space Expo.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Imagebuf...upOctober2627#

[jcarroll]

Oops forgot to mention- to photograph I would check with a call or contact due to 9/11 and the tightened security as a result.

I think they have an open house type event in May and you can probably get up close and personal. I have never heard of anyone getting up close to the cockpit though.

[CaptainTom]

My first (and only) close up experience with a B1 was while riding in the instructors seat on a KC-135 during a refueling mission over California.
I have the B&W prints somewhere in the archives, aka cardboard boxes in the closet.
Needless to say, it was awesome.