Since it became operational in 1955, the B-52 has been the main long-range heavy bomber of the Strategic Air Command. It first flew on April 15, 1952. Nearly 750 B-52s were built before production ended in October 1963. The "D" models were modified to carry conventional bombs externally. Later series had provisions for "Hound Dog" air-to-surface missiles and Quail decoy missiles.

The B-52 set many records in its 30-plus years of service.

On January 18, 1957, three B-52s completed the world`s first non-stop round-the-world flight by jet aircraft, lasting 45 hours, 19 minutes, requiring only three aerial refuelings. A B-52 made the first known airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. B-52s entered combat in June 1965 when they began flying missions with conventional bombs in support of operations in Southeast Asia. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with a loss of seventeen B-52s to enemy action.

B-52s were stationed at Robins AFB from 1961-1983 with the 19th Bomb Wing. Warner Robins ALC has logistics management responsibility for the fire-control, bombing/navigational and electronic countermeasure systems installed on all B-52 aircraft. The aircraft on display served in Southeast Asia in 1968 and again in 1972-73 with the 99th Bomb Wing flying from Andersen AFB, Guam. Its "last flight" was made to Robins AFB on August 25, 1983. It was delivered by a crew from the 7th Bomb Wing at Carswell AFB, Texas, its last duty station.