Stealth, the way of the future, B-2 and F-22 prepare to refine air dominance

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The saying 'birds of a feather flock together' is said to have origins in the 16th century.

Well the saying holds true even in modern day as the world's most technologically advanced stealth bomber and fighter integrate to offer a lethal duo that can hold any of America's enemies at risk anywhere, anytime.

Representatives from Team Whiteman and all the operational F-22 Raptor bases came together for a B-2 and F-22 Integration Conference June 16 through June 19.

Representatives from the 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, N.M, 1st Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, Va., 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron. Nellis AFB, Nev., from the 53rd Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla., and the 3rd Fighter Wing at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, came here to talk about F-22 capabilities and B-2 capabilities at a full-access level to determine the capabilities of systems and how to best integrate the F-22 with the B-2.

"This is a great opportunity to get the two low observable platforms that are remaining in the Air Force together and figure out how we can operate together, when it's smart to operate together and when it's not smart to operate together, said Col. James Hecker, 3rd Operations Group commander.

"We are also getting some insider help as far as maintenance," Colonel Hecker added. "You know the B-2 has been around a lot longer than the F-22; so we are getting lessoned learned on problems that we thought were new to us, which just so happens to be things you have been dealing with for a while."

"It's awesome, I need to fly it," Colonel Hecker said when speaking about the B-2. "It is a great aircraft with phenomenal results in combat.

"It is great to have it on your side," he added.

"We want to start building a B-2 and F-22 raptor operational team to start refining how we are going to fight together," said Col. Thomas Bussiere, 509th Operations Group commander.

"The way of the future is low observable," Colonel Bussiere said. "And there are no two greater platforms on the planet than the F-22 and the B-2 so now is the time for us to refine our operational tactics and be ready when the phone rings to execute and do it right the first time."