Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs
June 2, 2010 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (NNS) -- More than a dozen Sailors from various commands on Guam toured a B-2 Spirit on Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) May 28.
The plane is one of six B-2s forward-deployed to Andersen AFB from the 509th Bomb Wing of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. as the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron. The B-2s have been on Guam since February as part of the continuous bomber presence on Guam, and participate in various training exercises around the local airspace.
Sailors from Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 15, U.S. Naval Base Guam, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, USS Frank Cable (AS 40), Joint Region Marianas and Naval Special Warfare Unit 1 were among those taking the tour. In addition, federal civilians and contractors, and Airmen from various divisions also took advantage of an opportunity to tour the bomber.
Logistics Specialist Seaman Larry Young, of USS Frank Cable (AS 40), said he felt the tour was a great way to learn more about the Air Force.
"It helps us continue to build a partnership, which is important because at the end of the day, we're one military, one nation and we have to be able to work together," he said.
Chief Master Sgt. Mark Funk, of 509th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit, which is attached to the 509th Bomb Wing, said Young's perspective of a working partnership between the two services is as true today as it was more than 60 years ago during World War II.
"The [military] history of Guam and the islands has always included the cooperation between the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps," he said. "We've been down to visit with our counterparts on Naval Base Guam and we've invited them out here to see what we do so it does help us to understand each other better."
Funk said increased understanding between the services will help service members meet new missions, which continue to expand and change in response to dynamic global conditions and threats.
The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions, according to the U.S. Air Force Web site. The bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Its low-observability provides greater freedom of action at high altitudes, thus increasing its range and allowing a better field of view for the aircraft's sensors. The plane's unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers).
Navy Counselor 1st Class (AW) Candice Abel, of COMSUBRON 15, said she was honored to have had an opportunity to see the stealth bomber up close.
"We see the B-2 Spirit flying around over Guam when they're doing exercises or at special events if they do flyovers, but not many people get to see it up close," she said. "We were able to climb in and see the cockpit and other areas on the plane, which was an awesome experience."
Lt. Col. Matthew Snyder, Commander, 509th Bomb Wing said Abel is one of the less than 1 percent of Americans who have had such a tour.
"It's a very unique airplane. They only have 20 of them in the Air Force right now, hence only 20 in the world. So it's not an opportunity people get to see everyday," Snyder said.
Snyder said the tour also provides his unit the opportunity to share their knowledge with other services, as well as other units within the Air Force.
"All of the different platforms have a certain common language and certain language that is unique to their platform and the folks they work with on a day-to-day basis. So when you wind up having these people together - whether it's a tour like this or an exercise where you're flying – that's just something that's part of getting everything smoothed out," he said.
Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Joel Spore, of NMCB 11, said the experience is an example of why he joined the Navy.
"It was a lot of fun. I know I probably won't get another chance to do it because you don't see a lot of those in the Seabees," he said.
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