The Air National Guard has no bombers in its stock of aircraft, but it does now have a B-2 bomber pilot, Missouri Air Guardsman Maj. David Thompson, who has been tasked to help ANG’s 131st Fighter Wing at St. Louis make the BRAC 2005-induced transition to bomber wing, as a classic associate unit with the active 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo. Capt. Bridget Zorn reports that, while on active duty, Thompson flew F-15s and B-2s, serving as a B-2 instructor pilot, but he last flew the B-2 in 2004. First, though he had to help the 131st FW work up a B-2 transition plan. Lt. Col. Ken Eaves, the 131st FW lead for the effort, said: “This has never been done before. There is no template for what we’re doing.” The plan came together this summer, enabling Thompson to take a B-2 re-qualification course, which he completed last week.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
