On January 18, 1957 three Boeing B-52s, led by "Lucky Lady III", became the first jet aircraft to circumnavigate the earth when they landed at March AFB in California after a 24,325 mile flight. The three bombers, plus two more flying as spares, used in-flight refueling to accomplish the mission which lasted 45 hours, 19 minutes at an average speed of 520 mph.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Power_FliteOperation Power Flite was a United States Air Force mission in which three Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses became the first jet aircraft to circle the world nonstop, when they made the journey in January 1957 in 45 hours and 19 minutes, using in-flight refueling to stay aloft. The mission was intended to demonstrate that the United States had the ability to drop a hydrogen bomb anywhere in the world
Three B-52B's of the 93rd Bomb Wing prepare to return to Castle Air Force Base, California, after their record-setting
round-the-world non-stop flight.http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123006446On Jan. 18, 1957, three B-52 Stratofortresses complete a 24,325-mile around-the-world nonstop flight, nicknamed Operation Power Flite, in 45 hours and 19 minutes, at an average speed of 534 mph. The flight was the first round-the-world flight for the heavy bomber aircraft.
Maj. Gen. Archie J. Old Jr. decided that he would fly in the lead airplane after 15th Air Force was given the lead in the mission. Planning went to the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base, Calif.
The flight took off from Castle AFB Jan. 16, 1957, circled the globe, and landed at March AFB, Calif., after almost four days. The general refused to get excited when he was greeted by the press shortly after landing. He told reporters that the flight was merely a "routine" Strategic Air Command mission and that "the planning and preparation that went into the aerial circumnavigation were identical to what was demanded every day in the 15th Air Force and the Strategic Air Command."
The National Aeronautic Association didn't think the flight was routine and awarded the 93rd BW the Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year.
Map of B-52 around the world flight, January 16-18, 1957
Slider... <sniff, sniff>... you stink.
