Whiteman Air Force Base
Recent News About Whiteman Air Force Base
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509th Bomb Wing transitions from AMXS to BGS in strategic realignment
The 509th Bomb Wing recently conducted a combined 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron deactivation and 393d Bomber Generation Squadron activation ceremony at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., on May 17, 2024.
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Military working dog Azir retires after dedicated service to U.S. Air Force
After two years of dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force, encompassing approximately 1,650 mission hours, Military Working Dog (MWD) Azir officially retired on April 26, 2024, at Whiteman Air Force Base.
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509th CES Streamlines Dig Permitting Process, Saving Time and Money
The 509th Civil Engineer Squadron has made significant advancements in their process for locating buried utility lines prior to excavations, resulting in time and cost savings. Master Sgt. Arthur Barnachea, the 509th Civil Engineer facilities superintendent, highlighted the importance of this improvement, stating, "Although the end result is the same, the difference is in the process itself."By using $20,000 in innovation funding acquired over five years, the 509th CES acquired two radio detection locators, enabling their Airmen to identify underground electrical, water,...
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First in Global Strike: Whiteman's new full-time victim advocates
The Whiteman Air Force Base Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team has made a significant advancement by becoming the first in Air Force Global Strike Command to fully staff their program with full-time victim advocates. This move aims to better support survivors of military sexual violence by connecting them to resources that can assist them after experiencing a sexual assault.Scott Isom, 509th BW SAPR sexual assault response coordinator, highlighted the challenges of having part-time volunteers as victim advocates, stating, “It was sort of like an additional duty...
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Global Strike Command Wins CE Readiness Challenge X
The Air Force Global Strike Command emerged victorious in the recent Readiness Challenge X competition, showcasing their engineering skills and determination over a grueling six-day event. Capt. Matt Lawler, the team leader, expressed the team's dedication, saying, "It feels great to win and it’s a testament to how bad we wanted it and how much effort we put into every event."The competition, which took place at Tyndall’s Silver Flag Exercise Site, saw teams from various branches and coalition partners engaging in a series of challenges. The top two teams, including Air...
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Air Force to Begin Accepting Warrant Officer Applications
The Air Force is now accepting applications, from April 25 to May 31, for Airmen aspiring to become the inaugural cohort of warrant officers in the information technology and cyber career fields.Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We need operational units with all the capabilities they need to deter and compete with our pacing challenges and ready to enter a conflict on short or no notice.” This move aligns with the Air Force's plan to enhance its capabilities in information technology and cyber domains.Air...
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Team Whiteman Launches 12 B-2 Spirits for Spirit Vigilance Exercise
Team Whiteman launched a remarkable display as the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings performed a mass fly-off of 12 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers for the Spirit Vigilance exercise on April 15, 2024 at Whiteman Air Force Base."Exercise Spirit Vigilance is one of a series of routine exercises held by Air Force Global Strike bases across the Air Force that focus on the training and readiness of Airmen," stated an official announcement.The event showcased the impressive capabilities of the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and highlighted the dedication and skill of the Airmen involved in...
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Dorm gets a revamp to elevate living for Airmen
Airmen at Whiteman Air Force Base are now experiencing an enhanced quality of life following the reopening of the newly renovated Discovery Hall enlisted dormitory on March 14, 2024. The $12 million renovations, which spanned over 2 years, have brought a wave of improvements to the living conditions of the Airmen.According to Tech. Sgt. Travis Makara, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen dormitory leader, the dormitory underwent a comprehensive makeover. "I think we got every penny out of this renovation," stated Makara. He emphasized that the changes made were not only...
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Team Whiteman demonstrates readiness during Exercise Spirit Vigilance
The 509th and 131st Bomb Wings recently showcased their readiness during Exercise Spirit Vigilance, culminating in a mass fly-off of 12 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers at Whiteman Air Force Base. The exercise, part of routine training for Air Force Global Strike bases, aims to evaluate and enhance U.S. deterrence capabilities.Colonel Keith Butler, 509th Bomb Wing commander, commended the dedication of the Airmen and civilians involved in the exercise, stating, “Exercises are both critical to our readiness and a powerful tool to demonstrate to the world that the B-2 is a...
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509th Civil Engineer Squadron Undertakes Major Project at Whiteman Air Force Base
The 509th Civil Engineer Squadron is hard at work bringing more reliable power to the Whiteman Air Force Base water treatment facility. The project involves modifying the facility to connect it to back up and emergency power and installing a new generator.Airman 1st Class Isaiah Groth, an electrical power production technician with the 509th CES, highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “In the case of an emergency where the water treatment plan is to lose power, we have a generator there that is more than capable of bringing the facility back online and is...
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Political Activity Guidelines for Airmen, Guardians, and DoD Employees
Service members and federal employees have been reminded of the dos and don'ts when it comes to participating in political activities. According to the U.S. Constitution, military personnel and civilian employees have the right to engage in the political process, but they must do so while adhering to certain guidelines to avoid implying official endorsement by the Department of Defense or Department of the Air Force.As outlined in the Department of Defense Directive 1344.10, both active duty service members and federal civilian employees have specific rules to follow...
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Team Whiteman: Leading the way in developing future leaders
Team Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri is making strides in developing future leaders within the United States Air Force. Through various commissioning programs, enlisted service members are being given the opportunity to advance their careers and contribute to the growth of the military.Tech. Sgt. Steven Stuer, 509th Commander’s Support Staff special actions manager, shared his experience with the Senior Leader Enlisted Commissioning Program (SLECP), stating, “This was my third application to get selected. Only 26 people were selected this past year, and finding out I...
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Team Whiteman: Leading the way in developing future leaders
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. – Commissioning offers enlisted service members the chance to advance their careers and allows the military to promote talented members from within. The United States Air Force provides various avenues for enlisted members who aspire to become officers.“This was my third application to get selected,” said Tech. Sgt. Steven Stuer, 509th Commander’s Support Staff special actions manager. “Only 26 people were selected this past year, and finding out I was one of them was quite the shock.”Stuer, who was chosen for commissioning through the...
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Team Whiteman Continues to Improve Processes
Team Whiteman Continues to Improve ProcessesMar 25 2024The 509th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Fire Alarm and Suppression Team, led by Clay Hudson, has made significant strides in improving processes that result in cost savings for the Air Force. By addressing issues with flame detection systems, the team has found a way to save the Air Force $68,000 a year.According to U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Arthur Barnachea, Hudson identified the root cause of the problems affecting multiple flame detection systems and devised a cost-effective solution. Barnachea explained, "Hudson...
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Team Whiteman's Efforts Save Air Force $68,000 Annually
Team Whiteman continues to improve processesMar 25 2024The 509th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Fire Alarm and Suppression Team, led by Clay Hudson, made a significant discovery that is set to save the Air Force a substantial amount of money annually. U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Arthur Barnachea, the 509th CES facilities superintendent, highlighted Hudson's findings, stating, "Hudson determined that the flame detection heads were out of alignment and needed to be re-calibrated."In an effort to streamline operations and cut costs, Hudson initiated a plan to acquire a test...
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Women In Charge: 509th Medical Group leads the way!
In celebrating Women's History Month, Col. Sandra Nestor and Chief Master Sgt. Amanda Frampton of the 509th Medical Group at Whiteman Air Force Base are being honored as leaders who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations of women in the Air Force.Nestor expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to mentor and lead Airmen, stating, “It's really a privilege and an honor to be in the positions that we're in and I don't take it lightly. It always surprises me how big of an impact you can have on airmen’s lives.”Frampton, the senior enlisted leader,...
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Team Whiteman member has 2,000 children in the Air Force
Donald “Mac” MacMillan, chief of plans and programming, 509th Security Forces Squadron, has 2,000 children across the U.S. Air Force. Children like Senior Airman Alejandro Amaya and Tech. Sgt. Austin Snowden, both with the 509th SFS.MacMillan, who retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sgt. and returned as a civilian employee, is known for his dedication to mentoring and guiding young Airmen. "Every time I have a question most people don’t know the answer for, I go to Mr. Mac and try to learn more from him," said Senior Airman Amaya.Having served in the Air Force...
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Team Whiteman member has 2,000 children in the Air Force
Donald “Mac” MacMillan, chief of plans and programming, 509th Security Forces Squadron, has 2,000 children across the U.S. Air Force.Children like Senior Airman Alejandro Amaya and Tech. Sgt. Austin Snowden, both with the 509th SFS.MacMillan retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sgt. and returned as a civilian employee to keep sharing his knowledge and experience with future generations of Airmen.“Every time I have a question most people don’t know the answer for, I go to Mr. Mac and try to learn more from him,” said Amaya.Before he was a part of the 509th...
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AFCEC announces 2023 DAF Design Award winners
The Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) has recently announced the winners of the 2023 Department of the Air Force Design Awards, recognizing excellence in design, sustainability, and energy efficiency within the Air Force. The awards ceremony will take place during the annual AFCEC Design & Construction Partnering Symposium in San Antonio from January 30 to February 1.Among the award-winning projects is the Consolidated Operations Building at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, which received the Merit Award in the Facilities New Construction Category. Col. George...
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AFIMSC Leads B-21 Beddown Program for Air Force
The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) is at the forefront of the fielding of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber for the Air Force. According to Col. Martin Pantazé, Det. 10 commander, "We’ve been engaged in the B-21 basing strategy since its inception acting as a liaison to AFGSC. AFGSC commanders rely heavily on our knowledge and expertise to deliver installation and mission support operations and synchronize a wide scope of activities."Detachment 10, a part of AFIMSC, is key in providing support for the B-21 basing and beddown program. They work...