Talk:40th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron

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Poor choice of image

The current image (in the infobox) is a particularly poor choice. It shows B-52s, KC-135s, and a B-2 Spirit flying into the distance. The eye is invariably drawn to the highly distinctive shape of the B-2 Spirit, partly because it is what it is, and partly because it shows so well against a sky background. The other types are just a muddle on the ground, green/brown shapes against a green/brown background. Unless there is an argument to the contrary, this image is a great advertisement for US air power, but useless in the context of this article. This is to start a discussion regarding finding a better image. WendlingCrusader (talk) 00:41, 30 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]

WendlingCrusader the USAF puts many many images on Flickr and open source on defense.gov, so if you wish to invest the time, some should be available. Buckshot06 (talk) 08:19, 31 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Immediately available do see what you like from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Aircraft_at_Diego_Garcia ; I can check if they are actually 40th AEW if you want my input. Buckshot06 (talk) 08:23, 31 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. I'm just a civilian, so forgive me if I get any of the following wrong!

Is there any possibility that this unit was in fact 'in charge' (temporarily) of all three aircraft types in the image? If so, then the image is ok, but it is the caption that needs improvement. Currently the only type associated with the 40th is the B-52, and the caption reflects that, which in turn makes the image less than perfect, but is that the whole story?

My first choice of alternative image is one that stretches the definition a little, but it shows two B-52Hs at Diego Garcia, one with tail code 'LA', the other 'MT' (both codes visible), confirming that units such as the 40th are only temporary custodians of aircraft normally assigned to other squadrons. Where it fails is that the date was 1999 (Operation Southern Watch), and the holding unit was not the 40th. Maybe the perfect image isn't available; if so, how far do we compromise, or is the article complete without any image?

Plan 'B' = two B-52s in 1999; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boeing_B-52H_F-9082S.jpg

or

Plan 'A' = alternative caption for the existing image; e.g.

"B-52s of the 40th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, together with other aircraft of the 40th Air Expeditionary Wing, at Diego Garcia 2003."

This is more accurate, but somewhat lengthy, and way too much detail for an Infobox caption. Maybe the image should be elsewhere in the article?

WendlingCrusader (talk) 18:31, 31 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]

It is really unlikely that the 509 BW gave up control of any B-2 aircraft to the 40 AEW. Your 1999 candidate would be great - for the 2nd Bomb Wing!! as the 2 AEG is actually named in the caption.

My suggestion, crop the B-2 out of "busy bombers," and leave the caption unchanged except for adding the date it was taken. Tailcode "LA" suggests again aircraft deployed from 2nd Bomb Wing, but there is no certainty about which temporary Expeditionary Bomb Squadron was administering them all.. Buckshot06 (talk) 13:46, 1 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]