Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      A B-52H Stratofortress starts its engines during a Minimum Interval Takeoff on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 14, 2014. Common place during the Cold War, a MITO challenges crews to get multiple aircraft airborne as quickly as possible in response to an alert call. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sean Martin)140814-F-V0743-001
                        
                        
                        A B-52H Stratofortress starts its engines during a Minimum Interval Takeoff on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 14, 2014. Common place during the Cold War, a MITO challenges crews to get multiple aircraft airborne as quickly as possible in response to an alert call. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sean Martin)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Senior Airman Mitchell Dexter, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, communicates with aircrew in the cockpit of a B-52H Stratofortress during a Minimum Interval Takeoff on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 14, 2014. A MITO is executed to allow the B-52 to quickly respond and deliver precision munitions at a momentÕs notice. Starter cartridges, filled with gun powder, are used during this takeoff instead of the standard, compressed-air takeoff.  (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sean Martin)140814-F-BL682-007
                        
                        
                        Senior Airman Mitchell Dexter, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, communicates with aircrew in the cockpit of a B-52H Stratofortress during a Minimum Interval Takeoff on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 14, 2014. A MITO is executed to allow the B-52 to quickly respond and deliver precision munitions at a momentÕs notice. Starter cartridges, filled with gun powder, are used during this takeoff instead of the standard, compressed-air takeoff.  (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sean Martin)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Staff Sgt. Joseph Gamache and Senior Airman Mitchell Dexter, both 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs, load a shotgun cartridge into a B-52H Stratofortress engine during a Minimal Interval Takeoff on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 14, 2014. A MITO uses shotgun cartridges, filled with gun powder, to rapidly start all eight engines on a B-52H Stratofortress. This allows the B-52 to takeoff at a momentÕs notice if called upon to do so. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mozer Da Cunha)140814-F-BL743-187
                        
                        
                        Staff Sgt. Joseph Gamache and Senior Airman Mitchell Dexter, both 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs, load a shotgun cartridge into a B-52H Stratofortress engine during a Minimal Interval Takeoff on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 14, 2014. A MITO uses shotgun cartridges, filled with gun powder, to rapidly start all eight engines on a B-52H Stratofortress. This allows the B-52 to takeoff at a momentÕs notice if called upon to do so. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mozer Da Cunha)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Bomber crews showcase take-off talentsPublished Aug. 15, 2014
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
                    
                    
                    2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
            **BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) --**Ten B-52H Stratofortress bombers took part in a minimum interval takeoff exercise, or MITO, showcasing ground and aircrew's abilities, here Aug. 14.
During a MITO, each aircraft is equipped with eight starter cartridges filled with gunpowder, that allows the engines to start up faster than a normal takeoff.
"We are practicing for a real world event; if something were to happen, this is how Barksdale would respond," said Senior Airman Mitchell Dexter, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit aircraft powerplant specialist.  "We use starter carts so we are able to get the engines started faster than using traditional methods, which allows us to get the planes started and taxing within minutes from the alert call."
Common place during the Cold War, a MITO challenges crews to get multiple aircraft off the ground within 15 minutes of initial alert notices. 
"The MITO proves the teamwork between both the aircrews and ground crews is solid," said Col. David Foote, 2nd Maintenance Group commander. "This allows Barksdale to provide nuclear deterrence giving our allies the assurance that we have the capability needed to deter our adversaries."
While the small launch window is challenging in itself, turbulence created from the leading aircraft can create rough air for the following planes, testing the aircrew's skills.
"Our maintainers and operators did a magnificent job preparing and executing this exercise," said Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander. "This launch is a testament to our capability and what our crews are able to accomplish."
Although the days of the Cold War are over, a MITO showcases the operational capability Barksdale continues to maintain, proving aircrew and maintenance personnel are ready to perform and execute at a moment's notice.
"A MITO launch is another example of the flexible and responsive combat capability the B-52 can project on a global scale," Goodwin said. "Our mission is to provide decisive nuclear deterrence and conventional firepower anytime, anywhere. That's not a statement...a MITO is one way we prove it."MITO 



alert 



Barksdale AFB 



La. 



take-off 



Air Force Global Strike Command 



B-52 Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                Kendall, Allvin, Saltzman urge modernization while warning Senate of delayed budgets
                    
                    Readout of Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s travel to the Philippines
                    
                    Air Force senior leaders visit Eielson AFB
                    
                    Air Force leaders focus on ACE during Kadena AB visit
                    
                    USAF senior leaders visit Mariana Islands on ACE tripInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Cope Tiger concludes in Thailand
                    
                    Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil