B-2 Stealth Bike Unveiled At Whiteman AFB

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt.Bryan Vandersommen
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The scene was twenty years in the making. The morning sun poured into an aircraft hangar as hundreds of military personnel, civilians and family members ushered in anxiously waiting to see something special Dec. 4. Northrop Grumman would not allow the 20th Anniversary of the B-2 Stealth Bomber's first flight to pass unnoticed. 

The moment was charged with anticipation. A lone B-2 sat back, gated, guarded and flush with red and blue light. However, the object of anticipation lay off in a corner, shrouded in black. Paul Teutle Sr., of the hit television show "American Chopper", sat behind the black veil at the controls another Northrop-inspired engineering masterpiece. The hangar quieted for one tense moment and all eyes turned to the dark corner off to the right. A thunderous jet blast of handcrafted American iron tore the air to shreds as Paul Teutle Sr. ignited the v-twin engine and launched himself and the B-2 Stealth Bike on a sweeping arc into the crowd's midst. Whiteman AFB's Airmen, employees and families roared back in approval, beginning the celebration of not only an aircraft's 20 year history, but the service, care and dedication of an elite community in the heart of America. 

The eyes of the youngest child and oldest veteran joined the camera flashes and flood of lights in admiring the sleek gray form. It was an aircraft form stretched over machined aluminum wheels, as if blurred by speed. The aircraft fuselage was transformed into the bike's fuel tank and marked with tail number "0789", the date of first B-2 flight. Flanking it was the "Spirit of Innovation" nameplate on its right side and the 509th Bomb Wing shield on its left. The exquisite construction includes B-2 sourced titanium on the rear fender. 

Brigadier Gen. Garrett Harencak, 509th Bomb Wing commander, who is fond of saying that America's enemies have "no sanctuary" because of Northrop Grumman's engineering masterpiece, declared that the occasion "honors the dedicated Airmen warriors, their professionalism, their courage, and the sacrifices that they and their families make every day." 

Mr. Dave Mazur, Vice President of Long Range Strike and B-2 program manager for Northrop Grumman, spoke last, observing that the bike embodies the innovative spirit of Jack Northrop's original flying wing, the YB-49, later reincarnated as the B-2. He also lauded Orange County Chopper's efforts in engineering and artistry, which ensured that Americans have no sanctuary from the B-2 Stealth Bomber's sheer coolness. 

As ensign of Northrop Grumman's B-2 20th anniversary celebration, the B-2 Stealth Bike will appear at Northrop-sponsored events throughout 2009. Custom bike builders Orange County Choppers of Newburgh N.Y. will showcase it on this year's season premiere of "American Chopper" on TLC. While Northrop Grumman shows off the bike to inspire the country, Team Whiteman will revel in the pride of America's Bomber.