B-2 pilot breaks flying hours record

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Lt. Col. Roger Forsythe, 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron director of test operations and B-2 Spirit pilot stationed at this Air Force Global Strike Command base, broke the B-2 Spirit flying-hours record Jan. 12 before his retirement.

Colonel Forsythe spent 14 of his more than 23 years of service flying the B-2, accumulating more than 1,780 flying hours, surpassing the previous record of 1,750 hours set by his first instructor pilot , Scott Paganoni.

"I was glad to pass him," Colonel Forsythe said. "He is a good friend and it was a little ironic that he was my IP. It was my own little private goal during the last year or so.
"Accumulating so many hours while having a full time job was definitely a challenge," he said. "I have been fortunate enough to have had the majority of my jobs be flying related, making it easier for me to fly and maintain currency."

Colonel Forsythe said he also flew B-52s, T-37s and T-38s during his career, making his total flying-hours more than 4,400, but his favorite aircraft remains the B-2 Spirit.
"To fly the B-2 is an amazing experience," he said. "Sometimes I get a little jaded because I see it all the time, but when I take a step back I realize how unique it is. I feel blessed I had the opportunity to fly such a special aircraft.

"I have enjoyed witnessing the advances in technology throughout my career and being able to see how we have not only applied them in our everyday life, but also in flying," Colonel Forsythe said. "Being able to bring new advances to the aircraft and onto the weapons system has been the most gratifying."

His career has come to an end, but he will be remembered, according to Lt. Col. Richard Bohn, 72nd TES commander.

"Bull" Forsythe's end of tour flight marks a tremendous loss of B-2 experience at Whiteman and the entire Air Force," Colonel Bohn said. "Not only is he the most experienced aviator on base, he is one of the most well respected instructors and mentors to his fellow pilots. His B-2 career culminates as an operational test pilot in the 72nd TES and his legacy will continue on for years to come as we field multiple upgrades he has led the last few years."