Happy 20th Anniversary B-2

Northrop Grumman on Tuesday celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first B-2 delivery. The Spirit of Missouri arrived at Whiteman AFB, Mo., on Dec. 17, 1993, ushering in a new era of precision strike. It can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, and is the only aircraft that combines stealth, long-range, large payload, and precision weapons, states a Dec. 17 Northrop Grumman release. “For 20 years, the B-2 has been one of the nation’s most decisive, most effective weapon systems for defending America’s interests around the world,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman. “It deters our enemies and assures our allies of our capabilities and our commitment.” Dave Mazur, vice president and B-2 program manager at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, said the B-2’s strength lies not only in its warfighting capabilities, “but also in the passion and the spirit of innovation of the men and women who have kept it lethal and effective against evolving threats for the past 20 years.” He added, “It remains one of America’s most important symbols of strength and freedom.” (See also The Spirit of Missouri from the April 1994 edition of Air Force Magazine)