Air Guard's 131st Bomb Wing, Total Force partner 509th BW named 'Best Bomb Wing in the Air Force'

by 131st Bomb Wing Public Affairs
131st Bomb Wing

11/6/2014 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo.  -- Air Guard's 131st Bomb Wing, Total Force partner 509th BW named 'Best Bomb Wing in the Air Force'

The Total Force team of the Missouri Air National Guard's 131st Bomb Wing and the Air Force's 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base won the coveted Fairchild Trophy for Best Bomb Wing in the Air Force during the fourth Global Strike Challenge score posting event at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Nov. 5.

"The achievement of this integrated team has proven that Missouri's Citizen-Airmen and Airmen from the 509th Bomb Wing are truly among the best in the nuclear enterprise, and I couldn't be more proud of them," said Col. Michael Francis, 131st BW commander.

The team bested five other bomb wings in Air Force Global Strike Command to take home the Fairchild Trophy, allowing them to win top honors for the third time since the competition began in 2010.

Other honors for the combined wings included Best Bomber Nuclear Load Team, Best Bomber Conventional Aircraft Crew Chief Team, Best Bomber Nuclear Aircraft Crew Chief Team, Best Bomber Nuclear Munitions Maintenance Team and 2nd Place Innovation Trophy.

The score posting event connects the command's heritage and mission, while at the same time recognizing and celebrating the "best of the best" in technical and weapons system expertise in the bomber, missile and security forces areas.

Participants in the 2014 Global Strike Challenge included Air Force Global Strike Command's six wings plus units from Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard.