Team Whiteman strikes again

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emili Koonce
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 509th and 131st Bomb Wings' Global Strike Challenge Team returned from the Global Strike Challenge Symposium and Score Posting at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, as back-to-back winners of the Fairchild Trophy for Best Bomber Wing in Air Force Global Strike Command.

Whiteman also brought home Best Bomber Conventional and Nuclear Aircraft Crew Chief Team, Best Bomber Nuclear Load Team and Best Bomber Nuclear Munitions Maintenance Team.

The 393rd Bomb Squadron won the Tibbets Trophy for Best B-2 Squadron with a total of 1,681 points, seven points ahead of second place. Team Whiteman also received a $50,000 check for winning the second place Innovation Award.

"This victory marks the second year in a row, and the third time since the contest resumed in 2010, that the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings have taken home the Fairchild Trophy for best bomb wing," said Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck, 509th Bomb Wing commander. "The outstanding performance and dedication to duty from our pilots, maintainers, security forces and other Global Strike Challenge team members exemplified the high standards our nation expects from the stewards of the nuclear enterprise."

The competition is more than just winning a trophy. The Airmen on these teams worked long, hard hours to prepare and show they are the best in AFGSC. While working they learned invaluable lessons of teamwork. Staff Sgt. Renell Atherton, a 509th Munitions Squadron conventional maintenance crew chief, had the opportunity to learn from all of her teammates on the conventional munitions build team.

"We trained every day together in the heat, rain and cold," said Atherton. "We found out what everyone was good at and used everyone's knowledge and skills to make us a better team. Every one of our Airmen brought something to the table."

The Air Force Global Strike Competition and Symposium gave Whiteman Airmen an opportunity to understand their position within the nuclear enterprise mission. Airmen who attended had the opportunity to listen to speakers such as Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, and AFGSC commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen W. Wilson. Understanding how important their role is in the mission is critical to empowering today's Airmen.

"The coolest thing I learned was how wide our missions here at Whiteman and the AFGSC impact the United States security," said Staff Sgt. Chad Frintz, who is assigned to the 393rd BS and participated as the 509th Nuclear Load Team leader. "It was an awesome experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life."

Empowered with the knowledge and trophies they picked up this year, Team Whiteman looks forward to competing in next year's Air Force Global Strike Challenge where they can once again connect with other bases in the command and celebrate the "best of the best."