Global Strike commander visits Whiteman, commemorates 9/11 with Airmen

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Gen. Tim Ray, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, visited the base Sept. 10-11 to meet with the Airmen who enable America’s B-2 Spirit stealth bomber mission.

Ray held an all-call, where he spoke about future challenges and the immense responsibility of the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings, emphasizing the role of the B-2 on the modern battlefield.

He also took the opportunity to sit down with enlisted Airmen and junior officers to discuss leadership, resilience and innovation. With the stealth bomber pilots and maintainers, the focus was readiness and lethality -- and ensuring Team Whiteman is ready for the future’s battlefields.

“Our strategic bomber force is vital to our national security; it was important for me to meet with the men and women maintaining and operating our lethal stealth fleet,” Ray said.

While at Whiteman AFB, the general visited munitions facilities and met with unit commanders to discuss how they lead the men and women of the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings and provide ready, long-range capabilities and safe nuclear operations.

“Long-Range Precision Strike is a unique capability to the United States and sends a strong signal to our allies. The Bomber Task Force is a way of life that will continue. We have the ability to respond across a wide range and bring capabilities anywhere. We can stand-in or stand-off.” Ray said.

Before departing, Ray participated in the 9/11 Memorial ceremony. The ceremony included the participation of the base honor guard and a wreath laying ceremony to remember those lost in the attacks.

“It’s fitting to honor the fallen of that infamous and tragic day from the base that launched the first retaliatory air strikes in Afghanistan,” said Col. Jeffrey Schreiner, 509th Bomb Wing commander. “This base remembers its heritage and we recognize the immense responsibility on our shoulders; I’m glad Gen. Ray could share this with us.”