B-2 arrives at Whiteman AFB

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Karen Petitt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFPN) --  When 15-year John H. Belanger took his first flying lesson in Menominee, Mich., little did he realize he'd be making aviation history 27 years later by co-piloting the B-2 bomber during arrival ceremonies at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

Nor did this lieutenant colonel realize exactly what he was getting into when he first interviewed for the B-2 program in 1987. The veteran pilot of the B-52, FB-111 and B-1 said all he knew was that he would be flying in the southwest and eventually move to the central states. The intrigue "got the best of him" as he became a test pilot and chief of flight test operations. 

He arrived here  in October to head the B-2 pilot training program. In short time, he trained Gen. John M.Loh, commander of Air Combat Command, to pilot the razor-like aircraft for the flight to Whiteman. A crowd of 22,000 greeted their arrival in 40-degree weather under cloudy skies on Dec 17, 1993.  (Note: Article reprinted from Airman magazine, March 1994)

Of the flight, Lt. Col. Belanger said, "It couldn't have been any smoother. From take off in Palmdale, Calif., to circling over Whiteman's surrounding communities, the aircraft performed soundly." He said the only disappointment was that the skies were too cloudy to do the full arrival show as planned. Feedback from the press was less than overwhelming, too.

"You would think because of Desert Storm there would be a better understanding of the need for high-tech weaponry such as the B-2. We've proven stealth capabilities, and most people recognize the need for continued deterrence. Members of the media overshadowed the program by stressing costs and inaccurately reporting each B-2 at $2 billion. But, can you measure the cost of human life that stealth technology is able to save?" he said.

In training others to fly the B-2, Lt. Col. Belanger said the most important aspect is to have students learn the system and architecture of the aircraft.

"It's like a new computer," Lt. Col. Belanger said. "When you first start keying in, you must have several errors, but as time goes by, it becomes a time-saver, not a time-waster. Much is the same with the B-2. The sophistication of the system makes it a time-saver, but you have to get the basics sown first."

While all eyes may have been on the aircraft as it flew over Whiteman AFB at 1,000 feet, another person had the task of preparing the base for that very moment.

Lt. Col. Mike Bartlett, B-2 arrival project officer, had the job of pulling together the various agencies, including contractors, higher headquarters and virtually everyone on base. By using a "bottom-up" approach to formulating the arrival plan, he ensured ideas came from people who had the most experience.

This approach proved even more valuable since Whiteman had to transition into a flying mission after providing nearly 30 years of deterrence as a Minuteman II missile base. The last aircraft mission for the base was in the 1950s under Strategic Air Command with KC-97 tankers and B-47 bombers.

After nine months of planning and four practice arrival ceremonies, Lt. Col. Bartlett said he wasn't as nervous as he thought he would be. "With so much planning and with competent people working through every aspect--protocol, transportation, airfield management and more--I was left to worry about the weather," he said. "The days preceding were rainy and bitter cold, so I was obviously pleased when the weather lifted."

Although Lt. Col. Bartlett is now doing operational mission planning for the B-2, he said he'll never forget what it was like to be a part of history.

"To watch the arrival unfold and to have been a part of it in every aspect was truly exciting, "he said. "During two of the practices, we used other aircraft to stimulate where the B-2 would be parked. Then to see the B-2 at that very same spot was an awesome sight."

Now operating under the 509th Bomb Wing, the B-2 continues to fly operational missions.

"We're taking things at a steady pace for right now. The number of missions will increase as we receive more bombers in the months ahead. We'll continue the excellent precedent set on the 17th--to ensure our aircraft are ready to provide global power for America," said Brig. Gen. Ronald C. Marcotte, 509th commander.

Note: Reprint from Airman magazine, March 1994