This thesis examines the position the B-52 has filled in support of U.S. national security objectives and deterrence. This thesis recommends that the B-52G augment the bomber fleet until the B-2 and new precision-guided munitions become available in amounts necessary to serve as force multipliers. The thesis also evaluates whether or not the B-52 will continue to have a place in post-Cold War U.S. defense strategy. The historical contribution of the B-52 provides the background data for this analysis. Operations during the Battle of An Loc, Linebacker II, and Operations DESERT STORM are the focal points for this study. This study assists in the determination of any significant deltas that may exist between the number of B-52s required to augment the bomber force currently funded and the base force recommended in the Bottom-up Review. It examines whether those deltas are fiscally or operationally biased. The thesis concludes that the B-52G should augment the planned bomber force structure, until such time the B-1 and B-2 can satisfactorily accomplish the conventional wartime mission.

ADA 299861 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)