ANG Bomber Unit and First Pilot

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 30 Oct 2007, 15:25

This is interesting. I think the Reserves flew B-52s and B-1s out of Richards Gebaur a while back.

ANG Has its First B-2 Pilot: 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.

From AF Daily Report 30 Oct 07

MIKE JG · Post by **MIKE JG** » 30 Oct 2007, 22:08

Pretty amazing that the "weekend warriors" are getting their hands on our nation's most sophisticated weapons technology. No worries though, Guard and Reservists are usually some of our nation's most experienced military aviators.

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 30 Oct 2007, 23:18

Yes, this pilot had just left Active Duty according to the article. We used to call them 'weekend warriors' but that is hardly true considering all the deployments. IMHO that is a direct result of the Major Force Drawdowns during the Clinton Administration. But some of the more experienced people are getting older and retiring. Soon the Guard and Reserves will have total force issues also. I think the old saying "You get what you pay for" is proving true. Interesting also that the Soviets are using their Petro-dollars to beef up forces and hardware again.