20th Anniversary of B-2 Flight

SEDALIA, Mo. - Airman 1st Class Alan Nham, 509th Bomb Wing Honor Guard, Stands ready to post the colors at the 20th Anniversary of B-2 Flight celebration at the State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo. Partnering with Whiteman Units, the Sedalia community provided several displays Air Force capabilites as well as free food and drink. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Carlin Leslie)

Sedalia and Whiteman celebrate 20th Anniversary of the B-2

Published May 20, 2009
By Master Sgt. Stan Coleman
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- "In 1989 Air Vehicle 1, tail number 82-1066, appropriately named Spirit of America, took off to the skies," said Col. Robert Wheeler, 509th Bomb Wing commander, during his speech at the 20th anniversary celebration of the first flight of the B-2.

The event was held at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo.

"Test pilot Bruce Hinds, call sign Spirit 1, and co-pilot Col. Richard Couch, call sign Spirit 2, were at the controls," said Colonel Wheeler. "Air power as we then knew it, changed forever."

That moment in time was celebrated on May 16 by the city of Sedalia, in partnership with the 509th Security Forces Squadron. Guest speakers, Colonel Wheeler and U.S. Representative Ike Skelton of Missouri, provided insight on the history and development of the B-2 program.

The 509th SFS also provided a static display of military equipment and held a military working dog demonstration at the event, while the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron provided a demonstration of their Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot.

After its creation, the B-2 flew its first combat mission in Operation Allied Force. The aircraft flew more than 31 hours from Whiteman Air Force Base, attacked multiple targets and flew directly back. The aircraft has also served in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

"The success of the B-2 is partnerships; a partnership with industry to build, deliver, and sustain the most lethal weapon system on the planet, and a partnership with local communities, such as those we have here today," said Colonel Wheeler.

"It's your support of the B-2 and America's sons and daughters who make our nation strong and the B-2 capable. Your support makes us the only nation in the world that can, from scratch, build an aircraft of the B-2's capability, bring it to fruition, maintain it, and fly it forward."