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)
The Air Force’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile is behind schedule and may significantly overrun its expected cost, which could partially explain why the service is reviving the hypersonic AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid-Response Weapon.