Air Commodore James Linter, the air attache with the Royal Air Force in Washington, toured Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on August 15, 2019.
As air attache, Linter is the RAF air staff representative to U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. During his time on base, Linter learned about the role of the RAF pilots at Whiteman AFB.
“We’ve got quite a big British footprint in America,” Linter said. “In fact, there’s over a thousand British service members serving across 38 states, of which half of them are Air Force and that’s because of the nature of the programs.”
One of the major components of the partnership between the U.S. Air Force and the RAF is the pilot exchange program, which has been at Whiteman AFB since June 9, 2005, when Squadron Leader Dave Arthurton became the 348th person to fly the B-2.
“The famous Robin Olds was one of the early exchange pilots and he actually commanded [Number] 1 Squadron Royal Air Force,” Linter said. Today, the program has a range of RAF pilots flying U.S. fighter and transport aircraft, as well as the B-2 Spirit, and U.S. pilots flying RAF aircraft, such as the F-35 Lighting II.
“Our RAF partners are fully integrated into the 393rd Bomb Squadron and have the same impact as any of our mission-ready pilots,” said Lt. Col. Paul Johnson, the 393rd BS director of operations. “They are of the highest caliber officers, they routinely demonstrate the utmost professionalism both in and out of the aircraft, and they are highly skilled tacticians and aviators”
The Air Commodore’s visit also coincided with the final flight of Flight Lt. Colin Bartwicki, a RAF foreign exchange pilot assigned to the 393rd BS, on August 12, 2019. Bartwicki was attached to the squadron for three years, and during his time he supported bomber task force deployments.
“This is an important time for us because change over from Colin Bartwicki and Stuart Milne. It’s a great time for me to come and hand the baton to the next generation,” said Linter.
Flight Lt. Stuart Milne, a Royal Air Force foreign exchange pilot is scheduled to fill Bartwicki’s spot in the squadron after he completes his training.
“It’s exciting to be here,” Milne said. “This is a huge adventure for me and my family, but also career-wise to come and do something completely different in terms of scale for what we’re used to back home with the RAF.”
Milne also said he looks forward to covering new ground after previously operating more tactical aircraft compared to the more strategic nature of the B-2.
“Everyone works for the mission here at Whiteman, it’s very obvious,” said Bartwicki. “I’ve been privileged to be a part of that, [and] to see how everyone is focused to do what is directed by [the President of the United States] and Air Force Global Strike Command, and ultimately the mission at Whiteman every single day of the year. Thank you to everyone for making me feel like I was part of the team.”