Latest news with #B-1B
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Incoming Ellsworth Commander Criticized Air Force Base's Culture in B-1B Lancer Crash Report
An Air Force colonel set to take over Ellsworth Air Force Base's 28th Bomb Wing later this month harshly criticized the culture of the South Dakota bomber squadrons he's preparing to oversee in a scathing crash report last year. Col. Erick Lord will be the next commander of the 28th Bomb Wing. Senior Airman Jo Pepin-Rust, an Ellsworth spokesperson, told in an email that wing commanders "change out every two years as part of routine leadership assignments." Lord is presently the deputy commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Col. Derek Oakley is the current commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, according to an online biography. Read Next: Senators Demand Answers After Case Dropped Against Navy Federal for Charging Troops Overdraft Fees Notably, Lord heavily criticized and blamed, in part, the culture of squadrons at the 28th Bomb Wing, which he is now tasked with leading, in a crash investigation. He was the author of a July 2024 accident investigation board report into the circumstances of a B-1B Lancer crashing on the Ellsworth runway in January of that year. That analysis led to a leadership shake-up at the base, and several firings of commanders followed. The B-1B Lancer, while on a training mission, crashed about 100 feet short of the runway and skidded 5,000 feet before bursting into flames. The four aboard the bomber ejected, and two were injured but later released from the hospital. Lord, in his report, pointed to "an unhealthy organizational culture that permitted degradation of airmanship skills" as one of the main reasons for the crash. He also took aim in the report at a crew member's weight, and a family member said Lord's comments were unfair and disrespectful, previously reported. The 2024 incident marked the first time in more than a decade that a Lancer had crashed. In the wake of the crash report, Col. Mark Kimball, then the commander of the 28th Operations Group, was fired from his role "due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command, based on the findings of an Accident Investigation Board report into the Jan. 4 crash of a B-1B bomber at Ellsworth," Air Force Global Strike Command told at that time. Several months later, in September, Ellsworth announced that another commander had been fired. Lt. Col. Carsten Stahr, commander of the 28th Force Support Squadron, was removed from his role. An Air Force Global Strike Command spokesperson told it was unrelated to the crash report, but a reason for the leadership change was not provided. The crash damage to the B-1B and the runway was estimated to be worth more than $456 million. Due to that damage, an undisclosed number of Lancers had to be flown across the country to Dyess Air Force Base in Texas and approximately 250 aircrew, maintainers and other support personnel relocated to support the bombers amid repairs. The Ellsworth runway was closed for nearly a month. Lord has experience as a B-1B weapon systems officer, and it's not his first assignment at Ellsworth. He received his commission from the Air Force Officer Training School in 2002 and has more than 2,600 flight hours, including in combat, for Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Freedom's Sentinel and Inherent Resolve, according to a news release. "His career is deeply rooted in the B-1 community, including a previous assignment at Ellsworth as a flight commander and evaluator weapon systems officer with the 37th Bomb Squadron," Pepin-Rust said in an emailed statement. Related: $450 Million B-1B Lancer Crash Attributed to Crew Failures and 'Degradation of Airman Skills' Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
24-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Turkey sandwich, sunflower seeds: Strict diet B-2 bomber pilots undergo before missions
The success of B-2 bombers hinges on the crew as two pilots replace the bigger crew that older bombers required. B-2 bomber pilots go through rigorous preparation for weeks ahead of embarking on a mission and a majority of this training includes sleep studies, retired Lt. Gen. Steve Basham told Reuters. Bhasham flew the B-2 for nine years and retired in 2024 as deputy commander of the US European Command. Basham explained that pilots are trained to be cognizant of foods which speed up their digestion, which slow it, which keep them awake, which make them fall asleep. Because there is a single chemical toilet in the aircraft and they need to take rest as well, during the 36-hour flight. For Basham, his go-to meal during the training was turkey sandwiches on wheat bread with no cheese, as bland is what they are eyeing here. B-2 bombers can fly 6,000 nautical miles without refueling but most missions require multiple mid-air refuelings and the process is cumbersome. Pilots can't see refueling, they rely on visual cues The Reuters report described the refueling process as 'blind' as pilots can't see the boom extending from a tanker full of gas attaching to the B-2 16 feet behind their heads. They have to rely on visual cues from the tanker's lights and memorized reference points. On moonless flights, it's an inherently dangerous task, Basham said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The process is more tiring when fatigue kicks in. "Adrenaline kept you going before you went into country," Basham said. "The adrenaline goes away. You try to get a little bit of rest and you still got that one last refueling." B-2 is equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave and a small area behind the seats where pilots can lie down in a cot. Sunflower seeds are another food the pilots rely on to stay awake between meals. B-2's shape makes it stealthy but its success largely depends on human performance, as it carries only two persons instead of larger teams that older bombers like the B-1B and B-52 required.
NDTV
24-06-2025
- NDTV
Turkey Sandwiches And Stealth: How Pilots Prepare For B-2 Bomber Missions
Washington: Before strapping into the cockpit of the US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber for missions that can stretch beyond 40 hours, pilots undergo weeks of preparation that focuses not only on flight plans, but what to eat. The B-2, a $2 billion flying wing built by Northrop Grumman, played a key role in delivering strikes on Iran's nuclear sites on Saturday. It demands extraordinary endurance from its two-person crew. That starts with understanding how nutrition affects alertness and digestion during intercontinental flights that can span nearly two full days. "We go through sleep studies, we actually go through nutritional education to be able to teach each one of us: one, what wakes us up and then what helps us go to sleep," said retired Lt. Gen. Steve Basham, who flew the B-2 for nine years and retired in 2024 as deputy commander of US European Command. Pilots are trained to be cognizant of foods and how they slow or speed digestion - critical in an aircraft with a single chemical toilet. Basham's go-to meal: turkey sandwiches on wheat bread, no cheese. "As bland as you possibly can," he said. With a 172-foot (52.4 m) wingspan and stealth profile, the B-2 can fly 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, but most missions require multiple mid-air refuelings. That process becomes increasingly difficult as fatigue sets in. Refueling is done blind - pilots can't see the boom extending from a tanker full of gas attaching to the B-2 16 feet behind their heads. Instead, they rely on visual cues from the tanker's lights and memorized reference points. At night, especially on moonless flights, the task becomes what Basham called "inherently dangerous." "Adrenaline kept you going before you went into country," he said. "The adrenaline goes away. You try to get a little bit of rest and you still got that one last refueling." The B-2's cockpit includes a small area behind the seats, where pilots can lie down on a cot. Sunflower seeds help some stay alert between meals. Despite its cutting-edge design - features that make it stealthy reduce infrared, radar and acoustic signatures - the B-2's success hinges on human performance. The aircraft's two-person crew replaces the larger teams required for older bombers like the B-1B and B-52, placing more responsibility on each member of the flight crew. The B-2's fly-by-wire system, which relies entirely on computer inputs, has evolved since its 1989 debut. Early software lagged behind pilot commands, complicating refueling, Basham said. Updates have improved responsiveness, but the challenge of flying in tight formation at high altitude remains. During Operation Allied Force in 1999, B-2s flew 31-hour round trips from Missouri to Kosovo, striking 33% of targets in the first eight weeks, according to the Air Force. In Iraq, the aircraft dropped more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions across 49 sorties. The Air Force plans to replace the B-2 and B-1 fleets with at least 100 B-21 Raiders over the coming decades. The B-2 costs about $65,000 per hour to operate, compared to $60,000 for the B-1, Pentagon data shows. "Our pilots make it look easy, but it's far from easy," Basham said. The B-2's complicated missions can't be done "without a massive, massive array of planners on the ground throughout the world and maintainers that make sure you've always got a good aircraft." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Business Recorder
24-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Turkiye sandwiches and stealth: Preparing for B-2 bomber missions
WASHINGTON: Before strapping into the cockpit of the U.S. Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber for missions that can stretch beyond 40 hours, pilots undergo weeks of preparation that focuses not only on flight plans, but what to eat. The B-2, a $2 billion flying wing built by Northrop Grumman, played a key role in delivering strikes on Iran's nuclear sites on Saturday. It demands extraordinary endurance from its two-person crew. That starts with understanding how nutrition affects alertness and digestion during intercontinental flights that can span nearly two full days. 'We go through sleep studies, we actually go through nutritional education to be able to teach each one of us: one, what wakes us up and then what helps us go to sleep,' said retired Lt. Gen. Steve Basham, who flew the B-2 for nine years and retired in 2024 as deputy commander of US European Command. Pilots are trained to be cognizant of foods and how they slow or speed digestion - critical in an aircraft with a single chemical toilet. Basham's go-to meal: turkey sandwiches on wheat bread, no cheese. 'As bland as you possibly can,' he said. With a 172-foot (52.4 m) wingspan and stealth profile, the B-2 can fly 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, but most missions require multiple mid-air refuelings. That process becomes increasingly difficult as fatigue sets in. Refueling is done blind - pilots can't see the boom extending from a tanker full of gas attaching to the B-2 16 feet behind their heads. Instead, they rely on visual cues from the tanker's lights and memorized reference points. At night, especially on moonless flights, the task becomes what Basham called 'inherently dangerous.' 'Adrenaline kept you going before you went into country,' he said. 'The adrenaline goes away. You try to get a little bit of rest and you still got that one last refueling.' The B-2's cockpit includes a small area behind the seats, where pilots can lie down on a cot. Sunflower seeds help some stay alert between meals. Trump says Iran's key nuclear sites 'obliterated' by US airstrikes Despite its cutting-edge design - features that make it stealthy reduce infrared, radar and acoustic signatures - the B-2's success hinges on human performance. The aircraft's two-person crew replaces the larger teams required for older bombers like the B-1B and B-52, placing more responsibility on each member of the flight crew. The B-2's fly-by-wire system, which relies entirely on computer inputs, has evolved since its 1989 debut. Early software lagged behind pilot commands, complicating refueling, Basham said. Updates have improved responsiveness, but the challenge of flying in tight formation at high altitude remains. During Operation Allied Force in 1999, B-2s flew 31-hour round trips from Missouri to Kosovo, striking 33% of targets in the first eight weeks, according to the Air Force. In Iraq, the aircraft dropped more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions across 49 sorties. The Air Force plans to replace the B-2 and B-1 fleets with at least 100 B-21 Raiders over the coming decades. The B-2 costs about $65,000 per hour to operate, compared to $60,000 for the B-1, Pentagon data shows. 'Our pilots make it look easy, but it's far from easy,' Basham said. The B-2's complicated missions can't be done 'without a massive, massive array of planners on the ground throughout the world and maintainers that make sure you've always got a good aircraft.'
GMA Network
24-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
How US Air Force pilots prepare for B-2 bomber missions
A US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber returns from Operation Midnight Hammer, the US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, US June 2025. US Air Force/Handout via REUTERS WASHINGTON - Before strapping into the cockpit of the US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber for missions that can stretch beyond 40 hours, pilots undergo weeks of preparation that focuses not only on flight plans, but what to eat. The B-2, a $2 billion flying wing built by Northrop Grumman, played a key role in delivering strikes on Iran's nuclear sites on Saturday. It demands extraordinary endurance from its two-person crew. That starts with understanding how nutrition affects alertness and digestion during intercontinental flights that can span nearly two full days. READ: FACTBOX: US B-2 bombers and bunker-busters used in Iran strike "We go through sleep studies, we actually go through nutritional education to be able to teach each one of us: one, what wakes us up and then what helps us go to sleep," said retired Lt. Gen. Steve Basham, who flew the B-2 for nine years and retired in 2024 as deputy commander of US European Command. Pilots are trained to be cognizant of foods and how they slow or speed digestion – critical in an aircraft with a single chemical toilet. Basham's go-to meal: turkey sandwiches on wheat bread, no cheese. "As bland as you possibly can," he said. With a 172-foot (52.4 m) wingspan and stealth profile, the B-2 can fly 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, but most missions require multiple mid-air refuelings. That process becomes increasingly difficult as fatigue sets in. Refueling is done blind – pilots can't see the boom extending from a tanker full of gas attaching to the B-2 16 feet behind their heads. Instead, they rely on visual cues from the tanker's lights and memorized reference points. At night, especially on moonless flights, the task becomes what Basham called "inherently dangerous." "Adrenaline kept you going before you went into country," he said. "The adrenaline goes away. You try to get a little bit of rest and you still got that one last refueling." The B-2's cockpit includes a small area behind the seats, where pilots can lie down on a cot. Sunflower seeds help some stay alert between meals. Despite its cutting-edge design – features that make it stealthy reduce infrared, radar and acoustic signatures – the B-2's success hinges on human performance. The aircraft's two-person crew replaces the larger teams required for older bombers like the B-1B and B-52, placing more responsibility on each member of the flight crew. The B-2's fly-by-wire system, which relies entirely on computer inputs, has evolved since its 1989 debut. Early software lagged behind pilot commands, complicating refueling, Basham said. Updates have improved responsiveness, but the challenge of flying in tight formation at high altitude remains. During Operation Allied Force in 1999, B-2s flew 31-hour round trips from Missouri to Kosovo, striking 33% of targets in the first eight weeks, according to the Air Force. In Iraq, the aircraft dropped more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions across 49 sorties. The Air Force plans to replace the B-2 and B-1 fleets with at least 100 B-21 Raiders over the coming decades. The B-2 costs about $65,000 per hour to operate, compared to $60,000 for the B-1, Pentagon data shows. "Our pilots make it look easy, but it's far from easy," Basham said. The B-2's complicated missions can't be done "without a massive, massive array of planners on the ground throughout the world and maintainers that make sure you've always got a good aircraft." –Reuters
