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Veteran fulfills dream of seeing the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Michael Hardy
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

Every year the U.S. celebrates National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 reminding citizens to thank and honor our country’s Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. 

A team came together here to honor the service of one local Vietnam veteran and his wife.

While visiting the Veterans Affairs office for a medical appointment, Ken Robbins talked with his doctor about his love for aviation and his desire to see the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber up close. 

In hopes of helping Robbin’s dream come true, the doctor reached out to a friend, Capt. Joseph Boben, a 393rd Bomb Squadron flight commander and B-2 pilot. Shortly after, Boben invited Robbins to Whiteman AFB to see the stealth aircraft. 

“My friend told me about Robbins and that seeing the B-2 in person was one of his bucket list items, since his health prevented him from attending airshows,” said Boben. “Making a difference to someone, like this, is my favorite part of my job.”

During the tour, Robbins and his wife Jean, learned about the history, capabilities and features of the stealth bomber.

Robbins was impressed with the size of the aircraft once he was able to see it in person.

Robbins served the U.S. Air Force in administrative services for 11 and a half years. During that time he wrote manifests and transported personnel to aircraft for their flights. 

His time in the service allowed him to travel around the world. Some of those locations included Germany, Japan, Morocco and Vietnam.  

When asked what advice he would give young Airmen, Robbins said that military service will always be something veterans reflect on.

“Your service is something you carry with you for the rest of your life so enjoy it,” said Robbins. “Your service will be what you make it … so make it something to look back on with pride.”