An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | June 30, 2008

Whiteman Airmen make first all-air Guard B-2 flight

By Senior Airman Dilia Ayala 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Airmen of the 131st Bomb Wing here completed the first B-2 Spirit sortie flown and launched by Missouri Air National Guard members June 18 at Whiteman Air Force Base.

Col. Gregory Champagne, the 131st Fighter Wing vice commander, and Maj. David Thompson, a 131st FW pilot, were launched by Master Sgt. Bob Francis and Tech Sgt. John Venable, both of the 131st Bomb Wing.

The 131st FW is losing its F-15 Eagle mission due to the recommendation of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The initiative integrates Air National Guard aircrew, maintainers and support staff with their 509th Bomb Wing active-duty counterparts in support of the B-2 mission with the ultimate goal of enhancing warfighting efficiencies.

"We are currently in the process (of transitioning)," Colonel Champagne said. "It is a 2.5 year process, and we are in the first year right now. We are right on time, everything is going well."

Although guardsmen have been flying B-2 missions with 509th BW Airmen over the last year, this is first time during the wing's transition to Whiteman AFB that 131st FW aircrew and maintenance personnel completed a sortie from launch through mission execution.

"We train the same. We are the same, and our goal is the same, which is the success of the mission," Colonel Champagne said.

Presently, the Missouri Air National Guard has seven B-2 qualified pilots and four in training. There are 46 members of the 131st FW currently operating out of Whiteman AFB. The Missouri Air National Guard will have 25 B-2 qualified pilots and approximately 500 maintainers, operations members and support staff at Whiteman AFB.

 

 

Related Articles
National Guard Soldiers assigned to Regional Command-East of the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission, also known as KFOR, host a multinational non-commissioned officer academy, referred to as the Jungleer Academy, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, May 8, 2025. 11 Sergeants Major from seven countries shared their experience with the soldiers, and many nations showcased their weapons, gear, vehicles and took a flight or hoisted in the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
Army Guard Soldiers in Kosovo Host Inaugural Event for Non-Commissioned Officers
By Sgt. Cheryl Madolev, | June 4, 2025
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – National Guard Soldiers assigned to Regional Command-East of the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission recently hosted an inaugural multinational event for non-commissioned officers (NCOs), focusing on...

Spcs. Ethan Ward, left, and Brandon Moore, both assigned to the 776th Maintenance Company, Tennessee Army National Guard, received the 2025 USO National Guardsman of the Year award for helping to rescue people being pulled away by flash flooding during Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
Tennessee Army Guard Members Recognized at Gala Event for Actions During Hurricane Response Efforts
By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy, National Guard Bureau, Katie Lang, DOD News | June 3, 2025
ARLINGTON, Va. – The USO recognized two Tennessee Army National Guard Soldiers as “servicemembers of the year” in the organization’s annual award program highlighting service members who carry out extraordinary acts of...

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Regional Command-East of the NATO-led Kosovo Force 34 mission joined together with members of the Kosovo Search and Rescue Association to conduct joint training at Arxhena Mountain Resort, Brod, Kosovo, May 2-5, 2025. This exchange of training is intended to increase the preparedness and cooperation between KFOR and local emergency first responder agencies.
Army Guardsmen Conduct Training with Kosovo Search and Rescue Association
By Sgt. Grace Wajler, | June 3, 2025
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – National Guard Soldiers assigned to the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission recently conducted a series of joint training exercises with Kosovo Search and Rescue Association (KSRA) members to strengthen...