B-2 Spirit surges in the name of deterrence

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- A B-2 Spirit taxis onto the flightline here July 14 officially ending a week long surge that tested Whiteman's ability to hot-pit refuel the B-2 while continuously generating sorties. The surge brought members of Active duty, Guard and Reserve together to ensure our nations nuclear deterrence was ready at a moment's notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)

Whiteman completes record-setting surge

Published July 19, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Active duty, Guard, Reserve and Department of Defense employees here completed a record-setting B-2 Spirit surge July 14 to ensure America's nuclear deterrence is ready at a moment's notice.

The surge tested this Air Force Global Strike Command base's ability to hot-pit refuel the B-2 while generating sorties around the clock for one week.

This was a historic week, according to Capt. Brady Poe, 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron operations officer. A new wing record was set with 21 sorties in a day and 64 sorties in a week. Two hundred and thirty five hours were flown during the surge, which is two-thirds of an average month's total flying hour program.

"We wanted to take the B-2 and the maintenance and operations communities to the limit of aircraft generation while safely generating as many sorties and hours as possible," Captain Poe said.

509th Bomb Wing and 131st Bomb Wing members from the maintenance group squadrons, operations group squadrons and logistic readiness squadron worked together seamlessly to ensure a successful surge. The captain noted that even with the mental and physical stress from the heat and number of sorties, each player made it enjoyable and directed all their focus on the aircraft generation.

Hot-pit crews turned six jets in a day with each pit taking an hour to an hour and a half. The crews stood in the heat of the day or humidity of the night round the clock to push aircraft through the surge with minimal breaks, according to Captain Poe.

"Maintenance, operations and logistics did an unreal job," he added. "I'm at a loss for words at how great everyone did this week. It took an entire team effort to make this happen and that is exactly how it played out."