SecAF impressed with Airmen, B-2

Photo By Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez | Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley completes an interview with Staff Sgt. Scott Johnson and Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez, June 8, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. In addition to touring the base and getting an update on the B-2 Spirit's mission, Donley met with base commanders and civic leaders from the Base Community Council to discuss Whiteman AFB's tie to the community. Johnson and Ramirez are assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office.  

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, MO, UNITED STATES

06.15.2010

Story by Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez 

509th Bomb Wing

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Team Whiteman June 8, meeting with Airmen, and base and community leaders, and receiving a first-hand look at the B-2 mission - his first visit to the new Air Force Global Strike Command base.

"I've been looking forward to this for many years, wanting to see the B-2 at its home here at Whiteman," said Donley. "It's been a great visit, seeing some great examples of total force collaboration between the active and the air guard personnel here, operating side-by-side to support this aircraft.

"There is such a great sense of teamwork here and ingenuity that has kept this aircraft at a high state of readiness," Donley continued. "[The B-2] has undertaken lots of innovative modifications driven by Airmen with good ideas and implemented by Airmen with great skill at a good cost to the tax payers."

Not only was Donley impressed with the quality of the Airmen, but also the aircraft.

"The aircraft has improved, even from the great capability that it provided when it was first fielded, Donley said. "It has continued to evolve over the years and remains a cutting-edge capability for our Air Force and the nation."

Donley was pleased to see Air Force Global Strike Command's growth thus far.

"The establishment of Global Strike was one of the most important decisions that General [Norton] Schwartz and I made when we first came into these leadership positions in 2008," said Donley. "We are very pleased with the results so far, and I know [Lt. Gen. Frank] Klotz is very pleased with the integration of the bomber and missile forces that he has brought together in Global Strike Command.

"We are on the right path, and we are looking forward to continuing to gain the benefits of this focus on the nuclear mission as we go forward," he concluded.

• Date Taken: 06.15.2010
• Date Posted: 06.15.2010 08:42
• Story ID: 51407
• Location: WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, MO, US