Spirits in the sky

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing
EIEILSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  RED FLAG-Alaska exercises often include different aircraft frames such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-135 Stratotankers, A-10 Warthogs and this most recent exercise included the ever impressive B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.

The B-2 is armed with a rotary launcher -- which can carry up to eight weapons at a time using almost any mix. It can hold eight 2,000 or four 5,000 pound bombs. The aircraft is also equipped with a computer display inside the cockpit and shows the pilots the bombs rotating into position. Some of the bombs are bunker busters that go way down to destroy targets underground. The newest weapon that the B-2 can carry is almost as long as the weapons bay, a 30,000 pound bomb. The B-2 is capable of carrying two 30,000 pound bombs at a time.

"It's different than any other airplane in the world. We call it the stealth bomber, not because of what it's made of or how it's shaped, but it's a combination of all that stuff--all the angles, materials and then our tactics help us be stealthy," said Maj. Dave Thompson, 13 Bomb Squadron B-2 pilot, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

Several screens display radar, targeting, weapons, weather, electronics and flight controls.

"We as B-2 pilots have a great overall picture of the combat scenario and what's going on with our airplane at all times," said Maj. Thompson.

Back at home station, pilots train in the same way on the B-2 and the T-38, a companion trainer, just without the integration of other aircraft.

"We're going out, we're practicing bombing targets, and we're practicing air refueling on every mission," said Capt. Kent Mickelson, 13 BS B-2 pilot. "We're trying to simulate combat as best we can in a continental US environment using both live and simulated weapons."

According to Captain Mickelson, a big benefit of coming to RED FLAG-Alaska is being able to integrate with the F-22 Raptor -- a unique experience over the two weeks of training.

"For every aircraft out here to figure out what everyone's capabilities and strengths are so that when we have to go to war, we go with people who we've been training with in an exercise that simulates war like RED FLAG. This has been really good for us and everybody here," said Maj. Thompson.

Although RED FLAG-Alaska 10-4 is over, pilots and their crews will continue to train to ensure they are ready when duty calls.

"Eielson AFB and the surrounding communities have been great hosts for our entire B-2 team of maintainers, operators and security forces. We train with our allies to kick down the door and hold whatever our adversaries value most at risk, should deterrence ever fail. That's exactly what Red Flag Alaska offers-the opportunity to integrate, train and sharpen our combat skills with and against the best in the world," said Lt. Col. Mark Pye, 13th BS commander.