Missouri ANG’s 110th BS takes top honors at Global Strike Challenge

Photo By Senior Airman Tessa Corrick | The Tibbets trophy was awarded to the 110th Bomb Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., during the 2019 Global Strike Challenge score posting at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 20, 2019. Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, helicopter operations and security forces competition with units from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tessa B. Corrick)  

MO, UNITED STATES

11.20.2019

Story by Senior Airman Bailey Janes 

131st Bomb Wing

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Missouri Citizen-Airmen from the 110th Bomb Squadron were awarded the Tibbets Trophy at the conclusion of Global Strike Challenge at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Nov. 20, 2019.
The Tibbets Trophy is named after the 509th Composite Group’s first commander, Col. Paul W. Tibbets, and is awarded to the Air Force’s best B-2 squadron. It was first awarded in 2010 and recognized the B-2’s first appearance in a bombing competition.

“I could not be more thrilled for the men and women of the 110th,” said Col. Ken Eaves, 131st Bomb Wing commander. “I’m always impressed by our Citizen- Airmen and what they can achieve in both our federal and state missions.”
Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, helicopter operations, maintenance and security forces competition with participants from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard.

Lt. Col. Timothy Rezac, 110th BS commander, said the trophy reflects the professionalism of his Airmen and the culture of readiness they have achieved.
“I could not be prouder of my Airmen for earning this award,” Rezac said. “It goes to show the high level of combat readiness of our personnel to support the missions here at Whiteman Air Force Base.”
Maj. Nate Mueller, the assistant director of operations for the 110th and a B-2 weapons school instructor pilot, said the Tibbetts Trophy reflects the professionalism of all the Airmen who work on the B-2.
“It takes a great deal of teamwork and attention to detail from a multitude of air force specialty codes to put bombs on target on time,” Mueller said. “Taking home the Tibbets Trophy recognizes the expertise that the 110th Bomb Squadron and 131st Bomb Wing bring to the fight.”
Mueller’s fellow pilot, Maj. Gaetano Falcone, said the trophy reflects the professionalism and experience of the 131st’s Airmen.
“The bottom line, receiving the Tibbett’s Trophy is great,” Falcone said. “It’s great for the squadron because we all work very hard to ensure we are ready to go to combat. It just validates our preparedness and abilities.”
The 110th traces its lineage back nearly 100 years to the early days of military aviation. Formed outside of St. Louis as the 110th Observation Squadron, the unit has a storied history of overseas and stateside support for the people of the United States and Missouri.
Since 2008, the 131st has been a classic associate unit of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman, sharing the B-2 mission. The 131st is the only Air National Guard Wing certified to conduct nuclear bomber operations. While the 110th is a Missouri Air National Guard squadron, Rezac said the squadron’s success reflects the value of Total Force Integration at Whiteman Air Force Base.
“This award represents the advantages of Total Force Integration,” Rezac said. “The award-winning aircrew are highly skilled aviators that were recent additions from the active component who still love serving their country and are able to do that in the Air National Guard.”
Mueller agreed.
“It was seamless integrating the two units,” Mueller said. “Total Force Integration is important because our small B-2 fleet dynamics depend on Guard and active duty working together to accomplish the mission.”
Ultimately, the win isn’t just a marker of how well the squadron can take a test, but how prepared it is to conduct a real-world B-2 mission, Falcone said.
“We don’t train for Global Strike Challenge, we train for war,” Falcone said. “Knowing that you can go out and do so well on a day-to-day basis, with our group of professional warriors, is the real takeaway.”
The 110th is not resting on its laurels, but already has an eye on the next competition, Rezac said.
“Competition is always a good thing,” he said. “This year, the 110th captured the Tibbets Trophy - that has upped the bar for next year.”

• Date Taken: 11.20.2019
• Date Posted: 02.29.2020 09:17
• Story ID: 364214
• Location: MO, US