131st FW transitions to become the 131st BW

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Barebo
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  A new mark in history was made recently as the Air National Guard 131st Fighter Wing from St. Louis officially stood up as the 131st Bomb Wing during a ribbon cutting ceremony here Oct. 4. 

The ceremony celebrated the official grand opening of the 131st BW's headquarters here, located at building 3006, and the first official drill for the guardsmen at Whiteman. 

The 131st is a highly experienced wing that is losing its F-15 mission due to the recommendation of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The initiative integrates Air National Guard aircrew, maintainers and support staff with their 509th BW active-duty counterparts in support of the B-2 mission with the ultimate goal of enhancing warfighting efficiencies whether employed from home station or a Forward Operating Location. 

This is not the first time the 131st has had a bomber mission. The 131st has flown more than 15 different airframes to include the F-4 Phantom, the B-26 Marauder and most recently the F-15 Eagle. 

"Transitioning to the B-2 brings us back to one of our earlier missions flying the B-26 Bomber aircraft," said Col. Robert Leeker, 131st Bomb Wing commander. 

"We couldn't be more proud to return to our bomber roots," the colonel added. 

"Today signifies formally the simple fact that the finest active duty organization in the history of the United States Air Force is partnering with the finest Air Guard unit in the history of the Air National Guard," said Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, 509th Bomb Wing commander. 

"Because we will exist together here," General Harencak continued, "no enemy of America will have sanctuary anywhere in the world." 

Members from the 131st FW have been transitioning to Whiteman since the summer of 2007. The 131st has about 10 B-2 pilots fully qualified and over 80 personnel currently working at Whiteman.

"The 509th BW and 131st BW are a premier team," Colonel Leeker said. "And together we can hunt down and destroy America's enemies."