When you have the most expensive bomber in the world on your base, security is beyond impressive. Whiteman AFB is a base within a base. Early this morning, I was allowed by the flight line maintenance crews to come out and take some pictures of the B-2 Stealth Bomber in it’s “Dock”, or hanger, as the sun rose above Knob Noster, MO. But to get to the flight line is an adventure in itself, and a testament to how serious security is at Whiteman. My public affairs escort for the day, SSgt Barebo, and I headed to the flight line entry control point. Numerous ID checks, verification of paperwork authorizing us to be there, checks to make sure the photo authorization is proper, and then only are we allowed in. FOD (Foreign Object Debris) check on our vehicle, and then only are we allowed to drive out to the Dock. But even that has to be at a certain speed, and only in certain areas since it’s an active ramp with aircraft taxing. We meet with our maintenance escorts, and once again verify the paperwork and discuss the shots that I am looking to get. While all this sounds overly strict, when you are dealing with a $2.2 billion dollar aircraft, it is necessary. But once all that was taken care of, and we were out there, I was led into the dock to meet my “model”; “Spirit of Indiana.” And what a beauty she was.

Right off the bat, I realized that I wasn’t dealing with just any ground crew. These guys knew their stuff and were extremely helpful in making sure I got what I needed. Ground equipment was moved, doors opened and closed as I needed, and the freedom to move around to get the angles I wanted. It was obvious how proud of this beautiful plane they were.

To get this bird in the air on a mission to protect our country, it’s the maintainers who work those long hours into the night and make sure when those pilots step up to their aircraft, everything is working and good to go.

Their hard work, pride, and professionalism helped me get some amazing shots. And it’s something I have seen from the lowest class Airman to the leadership at this base. Everyone is a team and does their part to get this plane in the air to accomplish it’s mission. The plane is just the tip of the spear.

And then it was off to LO (Low Observability) and meet with MSgt Smith and TSgt Shay. These guys are the ones who put the stealth in the Stealth Bomber. Cell phones and any recording devices, were left outside, and we entered another Dock. This particular one was specially modified so that the B-2 could be maintained and painted safely. Interestingly, the air leaves this dock cleaner then it does when it comes in. LO is responsible for maintaining the low radar signature of the Stealth Bomber and still find ways to improve the design, material, and processes for maintenance. One of these initiatives is the AHFM (Alternate High Frequency Material) Program, which has helped to reduce the maintenance man hours per flight hour and while still maintaing the B-2 Stealth characteristics. If any maintenance on the plane needs to be done, the stealth skin is “opened up”, the maintenance done, then “patched” back up to keep the stealth RCS low. As they put it, “Without LO, your ass will glow.”

The stealth will get you in and out, but once your there, you still have to drop your bombs. I was invited by MSgt Kevin Lee to observe the Weapons Load Trainers of the 509th WSS (Weapons Standardization Section) and a Load Crew practice loading dummy nuclear shapes (bombs) on a rotary launch assembly into a mock B-2 Bomb Bay. Once a month, Load Crews, or “Load Toads” come through the Weapons Dock and renew their certification by loading at least one nuclear weapon under a minimum time standard.

The B-2 has the capability to load 8 nuclear bombs on the rotary launch assembly, or 40 500lbs conventional bombs on a smart bomb launch assembly in each of the two bomb bays. It takes about 6.5-8 hours to load all 80 500lb bombs, and just seconds to drop all of them.

Finally we left the flight line and headed to Life Support to get fitted for my flight suit, helmet and G suit for my T-38 flight tomorrow.

A proper fit of the G Suit ensures that when I’m pulling those intense G, keeps the blood from rushing to my legs and passing out. That would be bad.

Any O2 leaks? No? Ok! Good to go!

Toss everything into my helmet bag, and then it’s off to my next tour. One of the best parts of this trip has been getting to visit the various departments and meeting a lot of the people who help keep this plane flying. This is of course all thanks to the Public Affair Department scheduling and coordinating with so many departments to ensure that clearances are obtained, paperwork signed, someone is there to show me around and answer my questions. The one thing I’ve noticed is that you just can’t just walk up to a B-2 and snap some pics. But thanks to the PA folks, these authorizations were done and I was able to do just that.

In the afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting Col. Chris Geisel is the Director of Public Affairs, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va and accompany him on a Dock tour to get an up close look at the “Spirit of Missouri.” In addition to learning more about the capabilities of this mighty bomber, we got a chance to climb up in the cockpit and become better oriented to what a pilot feel sitting in there.  And yes, they do have 2 cup holders up there.

This particular B-2 has dropped 4 bombs in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and 6 bombs in Operation Allied Forces (OAF)

My day wrapped up with meeting CMsgt Samuel Hook, the Maintenance Group Superintendent. With a frank and honest interview, I walked away with a reaffirmation that this is just a plane with an amazing cast of men and women that really are what makes this plane special. These Airmen face hardships, but still turn the wrenches and get that plane up in the air. “These Airman have a stronger sense of pride and attachment to the B-2, much stronger then I’ve ever seen at any other base that I’ve been to….Their dedication, their commitment, and the sacrifice that not only the Airman, but their families also make, ensure that we are protecting our nation and the values that we uphold.”

And with the support of this base, tomorrow I’ll climb into the back seat of a T-38 and chase a B-2 bomber.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 9:21 pm and is filed under Base Visits, Aviation, Photography, Adventures. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.