• Airman 1st Class Vera Schwenk, an avionics technician assigned to the 509th Maintenance Squadron, poses for a portraitjoined the Air Force in 2017 after immigrating from Kyrgyzstan when she was 16-years-old.

    Kyrgyzstan native realizes her American dream in US Air Force

    Freedom, peace, prosperity and opportunity. The American Dream at full bloom can look like a lot of different things, but it usually stems from the heartfelt desire for these fruit of democracy. For one 16 year old girl from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the freedom to choose her own path as a woman and the promise of peace away from violent revolution were enough motivation to uproot her life.
  • Students on the Knob Noster High School robotics team designed a protective panel that covers four switches in the cockpit of the $2.2 billion B-2 Stealth Bomber. Each panel costs $1.25 to produce. A four-switch panel called the airframe mounted accessory drive, or AMAD, sits on the left side of the B-2’s two-person cockpit. The AMAD switches control the connection of the engines to the hydraulic and generator power of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kayla White)

    Stealth pilots, high school students collaborate to create innovative part for $2.2 billion aircraft

    Across the Air Force, changes to equipment, policies and procedures have been made to save money, to save time and to save lives. From the highest levels, Airmen across the service are being encouraged to innovate. It’s this innovation that will deliver lethality to outpace adversaries, says Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, and maintain our position as the world’s strongest, most powerful military. One such innovation came in response to a recognized potential issue within the B-2 Spirit – the world’s most strategic aircraft and the heart of the stealth mission here at Whiteman. A four-switch panel called the airframe mounted accessory drive, or AMAD, sits on the left side of the B-2’s two-person cockpit. The AMAD switches control the connection of the engines to the hydraulic and generator power of the aircraft.
  • Whiteman Air Force Base began its own local innovation program called Whiteman Edge.

    Whiteman Edge: Whiteman AFB innovation program

    Members of Team Whiteman are invited to submit their innovative ideas to the Whiteman Edge Spark Tank program through February 22, which is the program’s initial deadline, though innovation is always encouraged to be ongoing. The Spark Tank program offers Airmen and other members of Team Whiteman the opportunity to showcase ideas that can help the Air Force and the base save money, time and lives.
  • Senior Airmen Angus J. Bailey and Brandon Gene B. Arroyo assigned to the electrical power pro section of the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, mobilized to Tyndall AFB, Fl. with 10 other 509th CES Airmen in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael from mid-November to December 2018.

    Whiteman civil engineers rebuild Tyndall AFB after Hurricane Michael

    12 Airmen assigned to the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron responded to Tyndall Air Force base to help restore it to its former operational glory after Hurricane Michael hit in October 2018.
  • A B-2 Spirit bomber deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, lands at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Jan. 10, 2019.

    B-2 bombers deploy to Hawaii

    U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and Airmen, from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri deployed, here in support of U.S. Strategic Command’s (USSTRATCOM) Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission, Jan. 10, 2019.
  • Rows of Airman Leadership School ribbons lay on a table during an ALS graduation ceremony.

    More than 40 graduate Airman Leadership School

    More than 40 airmen from across Whiteman Air Force Base graduated Airman Leadership School on Dec. 6, 2018.
  • Brig. Gen. John J. Nichols, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, poses for a photo with local civic leaders and Knob Noster school district administrators.

    Knob Noster schools receive $2.25 million DoDEA grant, benefitting military children

    The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is awarding a $2.25 million grant to enhance the STEM2 and robotics programs, and introduce a virtual academy in the Knob Noster School District, where two-thirds of the 1,600 students are connected to Whiteman Air Force Base.
  • Retired Senior Master Sgt. John De La Rosa, an executive director with the John Maxwell Team speaks in front of a group of Airmen about leadership during the John C. Maxwell Leadership Seminar.

    Whiteman AFB Professional Development Center hosts leadership seminar

    The Whiteman Air Force Base Professional Development Center hosted the John C. Maxwell Leadership Seminar as part of the 12 Days of Development series of briefings, panels and seminars on Dec. 11, 2018 at the PDC auditorium.
  • Lt. Col Russell Kohl receives the Medical Group guidon from Col Ken Eaves, 131st Bomb Wing Commander, during the change of command ceremony at Whiteman Air Force Base, Dec. 2. Kohl assumes command from Col. Patti Fries, who continues her military service as the commander of the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Medical Group, a subordinate unit of the 155th Air Refueling Wing, at Lincoln Air National Guard Base. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Geldermann)

    Kohl takes command of the 131st Medical Group

    Lt. Col. Russell Kohl, M.D. took command of the Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Medical Group from Col. Patti Fries, O.D., here Dec. 1.
  • Senior Airman Austin K. Choate, a low-observable maintenance technician assigned to the 509th Maintenance Group, poses for a portrait.

    Low Observable maintenance

    The B-2 Spirit is an American heavy penetration strategic bomber designed to break through dense anti-aircraft defenses without being detected. But, before the B-2 Spirit is ready to take stealthy flight, it must pass the discerning eyes and careful hands of the Whiteman Air Force Base maintenance team.
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