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)
Strong performance in space systems helped Northrop Grumman achieve sales three percent higher than a year ago, company officers reported in a July 29 second-quarter earnings call with reporters. CEO Kathy Warden said the company’s prospects are rosy given strong support in Congress for not only a higher defense spending…