Air Force Secretary Michael Donley on Tuesday visited Whiteman AFB, Mo., to get a close-up look at the 509th Bomb Wing and B-2 stealth bomber operations. “It’s been a great visit,” he said. This was his first visit to Whiteman since assuming the service’s top leadership post in late 2008. “I’ve been looking forward to this for many years, wanting to see the B-2 at its home here at Whiteman,” Donley said. The B-2, he noted, “has continued to evolve over the years and remains a cutting-edge capability for our Air Force and the nation.” The Obama Administration intends to retain the B-2 fleet in a dual role, able to perform conventional or nuclear missions, under the new nuclear force posture released in May. (Whiteman report by A1C Montse Ramirez)
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.