B-2 bombers return to the air over Whiteman

[unhappycamper]

The B-2 "Spirit of Missouri," flown by Maj. Matthew Calhoun and Capt. Jared Kennish returns from a training mission Apr. 17 at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The B-2 "safety pause" following a B-2 crash in Guam lasted 53 days.


B-2 bombers return to the air over Whiteman
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Apr 22, 2008 16:20:56 EDT

B-2 Spirit bombers are back in the air.

Since the stealth bombers got approval to begin flying April 15, aircrews at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., have flown 20 sorties, said 1st Lt. Mathew Miller, a Whiteman spokesman. After a plane passes a return-to-flight inspection it is cleared to fly.

The planes had sat on the ground since Feb. 23, when a B-2 crashed on takeoff from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

The jets, all assigned to Whiteman’s 509th Bomb Wing, were given the OK to fly after commanders reviewed the conclusions of a safety investigation board that examined why the $1.2 billion plane crashed.

Under Air Force rules, the safety investigation board report is not made public. However, the results of a separate accident investigation board inquiry will be released in coming weeks.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/04/airforce_b2_return_flight_042208w/