Warrensburg Airman named 131st Bomb Wing's Pilot of the Year

  • Published
  • By Rachel Knight
  • Missouri National Guard
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Maj. Ryan L. Bailey, of Warrensburg, was recently named Pilot of the Year for the 131st Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base.

"I think they just picked the tallest," Major Bailey said. "Our pilots have accomplished a lot this year, for example, Maj. John Avery was the first B-2 Air National Guard Weapons School graduate, and Maj. Britt Hatley won an award for top student paper in the United States Air Force Weapons School, but I am taller than both of them."

Bailey entered the Air National Guard service two years ago, after spending nine years in active duty service.

"I joined the Guard because it is a great opportunity to continue serving while living in central Missouri," Major Bailey said. "Serving in the 131st has complimented well with my civilian job as a pilot for Southwest Airlines."

Major Bailey is one of 11 pilots that are currently on the B-2 mission alongside the active duty Air Force.

"The people in the 110th Bomb Squadron are extremely professional and motivated," Major Bailey said about the B-2 mission. "It is a great group to be a part of."

Major Bailey said the important part of his job as a pilot is the privilege of working with the most feared and respected weapons system on the planet.

"It takes a diverse and professional group of Airmen, from maintenance to life-support to mission planning to make it work," he said. "I think the citizen Airmen of the 131st are a perfect fit-it is a great mission."

Major Bailey said the biggest accomplishment during his Guard career is working with the communication, intelligence operations and mission planning specialists of the 110th Bomb Squadron, while supporting the 509th Bomb Wing.

"We have helped integrate active duty and Guard B-2 strike planning operations," Major Bailey said.

Major Bailey is a 1992 graduate of Pearl River High School in Pearl River, La., and a 1996 graduate of Embry-Riddle University where he received his degree in aero science.

Major Bailey is supported in his career with the Guard by his parents, Gary and Joan Bailey, of Lacombe, La.; his sister, Sara Bailey Burns, of Lacombe, La.; his wife, Angie Bailey, of Warrensburg; and his children, Caleb, Joshua, Paul and Abby Bailey, of Warrensburg.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, call 1-888-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.