The 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., the Air Force’s sole B-2A bomber unit, has adopted the service-wide practice of presenting its dedicated crew chiefs with coins that formally recognize their work and their responsibility for the aircraft that they maintain. The wing held a ceremony April 10, during which the base’s B-2 crew chiefs each received certificates and gold-plated coins bearing the imprint of a B-2 with the tail number of the individual aircraft for which they are responsible. Col. Robert Wheeler, 509th BW commander, made the first coin presentation to SSgt. Scott West of the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who is the dedicated crew chief for the Spirit of America, the wing’s flagship B-2. “I felt very appreciated,” said West of the recognition, adding that it will make him even more motivated in his work. (Last month, Whiteman treated one of its B-2 dedicated crew chiefs, SSgt. Zachary Teague, to a B-2 incentive flight, making him the first enlisted airman to receive that honor.) (Whiteman coin report and incentive flight report by SSgt. Bryan Vandersommen)
Boeing Claims Progress on T-7 and Other Challenged Programs
April 25, 2025
Boeing appears to have become to overcome the problems that led to billions in losses on fixed-price defense contracts in recent years, point the company back toward profitabily, says Boeing president and CEO Kelly Ortberg.