Originally posted by FredT
Commercial aircraft can fly over the pole so I suspect its no big deal for the B-52 as well as the bear.

Well said! Also, the B-52's have been operated from bases in and near the Arctic Circle, such as Tuley AFB in Green Land. Also, during the Cuban
Missile Crises, they flew some of the B-52's over the pole to get to their patrole area just north of the USSR. They have flown over the North Pole
before, why would they not be able to do it again?
Tim