[MilCom] BOWEL Flights (Minot AFB B-52's heading home)

[Rob Berezowski]

Between 0600 and 0730 UTC October 29, 2012 I heard a steady stream of B-52's flying over Saskatchewan enroute for landing at Minot AFB. The B-52's were working Winnipeg Centre ATC on VHF (124.3, 132.9, 123.8, 134.325 amongst others). 
  
 The B-52's were in flights of at least 2, perhaps 3 per flight. Unfortunately I could not pay full attention to the radios, and I lost track of all of the flights, but callsigns heard included BOWEL 31, 32, BOWEL 41, 42, BOWEL 51, BOWEL 60, and 62. 
  
 They were working RAYMOND 12 (Minot Command Post) and FOXTROT (Operations) on 321.0. They were giving fuel and maintenance reports, and a couple asked for weather and PIREP reports for the runway (it was snowing in Minot at the time). 
  
 Air to air frequencies in use were 300.325, 300.425, and 300.525. 
  
 A couple of flights asked Winnipeg ATC for a UHF frequency. Unfortunately that was not an option for the controller, so instead he handed the flights off early to Minneapolis Centre on 279.6. 
  
 The B-52's were flying in from the northwest, Alaska perhaps? Anyone know of any exercises going on up there? 
  
 Also, completely overcast here in Regina. Otherwise I probably could have seen them. 
  
 Sorry for the late post on this. 
  
 Rob
Regina, Saskatchewan