Leaders discuss total force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Leaders and representatives from the 509th Bomb Wing, 131st Fighter Wing, National Guard Bureau and Air Combat Command met here Aug. 16 to discuss the Whiteman guard/active duty transition.

This concluded the three-day Whiteman Total Force Integration Joint Site Activation Task Force meeting with the goal of seeking opportunities to increase effectiveness and efficiency as 509th BW and 131st FW prepare for integration.

By integrating with the 509th BW, the 131st FW will transition from operating F-15s to become the first Air National Guard unit to join in the B-2 mission.

"Establishing an Air National Guard B-2 Associate mission is very exciting for the Missouri Air National Guard," said Maj. Gen. King Sidwell, Missouri National Guard adjutant general. "While the military is transforming to meet current and future objectives, we are prepared to do whatever necessary to remain an effective part of the total force."

As the wings plan to join together with the mission of knocking down doors and striking targets, Brig. Gen. Greg Biscone, 509th Bomb Wing commander, spoke on what he envisioned.

"We will work together; we will deploy together," General Biscone said. "We look forward to this association and full integration.

"But I don't want the Guard to lose its identity," General Biscone said. "We know guardsmen can be called away from their primary missions to support state emergency duties. We will make sure that you can continue to do that."

Furthermore he added what the 131st FW will bring to the fight.

"The long-term experience and consistency guardsmen will bring to the B-2 mission will enhance our capability," General Biscone said.

Only a portion of the nearly 1,100 guardsmen assigned to the 131st FW are expected to move to Whiteman AFB, officials from the 131st said, a majority of F-15 personnel from operations, maintenance and support positions will relocate to Whiteman, keeping most of the combat support positions, which include specialties like finance, human resources, civil engineering and supply, in St. Louis.

"The 131st Fighter Wing will not be closing; we will be transitioning and transforming," said Col. Robert Leeker, 131st FW commander. "It's essential for our community and our personnel to understand this transformation is necessary for us to remain relevant."