WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Early last Friday, Maj. Tim became the second 131st Bomb Wing Missouri Air National Guard pilot this year to achieve 1,000 B-2 Spirit flying hours.
Crossing the 1,000-hour mark, he joins fellow 131st pilot Maj. Luke who reached this elite status on Sept 14. On June 1, retiring 131st pilot Lt. Col Mike Means achieved 1765.8 hours. These are all amazing achievements as the 131st continues its total force integration partnership with the 509th Bomb Wing.
"Hitting 1000 hours could not have happened at a better time," said Maj. Tim. "We were taking part in an exercise while testing the long duration capability of the aircraft and crew on an overnight sortie during this flight.
"It was very demanding but the training we received before flight from the integrated operations support squadron ensured we were thoroughly prepared, the aircrew flight equipment gear was excellent, and the jet we received from maintenance was in superb condition. It took personnel from both the 131st and 509th Bomb Wings to make it happen. It is always a team effort."
Fewer than 600 active duty Air Force and Air National Guard pilots have ever flown the B-2, and of those only 36 have logged 1,000 flying hours or more. Of the 13 still actively flying the B-2 Stealth Bomber, six are members of the 131st Bomb Wing.
"Maj. (Tim) joins a distinguished group of aviators that have devoted their careers to employment of the B-2 and training future B-2 pilots."- said Lt. Col. Jared, 110th Bomb Squadron commander, who surpassed the 1,000 flying-hour mark as a Missouri Air Guardsman in 2009. "He truly highlights the experience the 131st brings to the B-2 mission."
Maj. Tim transferred to the Missouri Air National Guard in 2009. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in 1999, he spent 10 years on active duty.
"I'm proud to be in the 110th Bomb Squadron. We have great personnel that are all experienced and consummate professionals in their career fields.- This is the best unit that I have been in - Air National Guard or Active Duty."
Currently the director of operations for the 110th BS, he has flying time in the T-37 and T-38 trainers, and the B-1 and B-2 bombers. Friday he piloted the B-2 "Spirit of Ohio" alongside Capt. Andrew, the chief of safety for the 13th Bomb Squadron.
The 131st Bomb Wing and 110th Bomb Squadron have lived through much of aviation history in 90 years as a unit and since relocating to Whiteman, have seen many achievements, most recently becoming the first Air National Guard wing to become nuclear certified.
"The 131st and 110th have a rich aviation history," Lt. Col. Jared said. "We're proud to continue our great legacy as a wing and be a part of Team Whiteman."
"It was an honor to fly the B-2 just one time.- It has been a privilege to continue to fly and achieve 1000 hours in the world's most combat capable aircraft," said Maj. Tim.
(Editor's note: The last names of some individuals in this story have been removed for security reasons.)