[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1186-E1187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 1999

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to 
the men and women at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, for their 
outstanding performance in Operation Allied Force.
  Whiteman Air Force Base is the home of the 509th Bomb Wing, led by 
Brigadier General Leroy Barnidge, Jr. The men and women

[[Page E1187]]

of the 509th Bomb Wing flew their B-2 Stealth Bombers into harm's way 
for the first time during Operation Allied Force. The air crews, 
maintenance crews, and the bombers performed magnificently. The B-2 
bomber demonstrated unparalleled strike capability, dropping nearly 20 
percent of the precision ordnance while flying less than 3 percent of 
the attack sorties. They flew some of the longest combat missions in 
the history of the Air Force, a non-stop 31-hour sortie from Whiteman 
Air Force Base in Missouri to directly over the skies of Yugoslavia and 
back.
  The B-2 bomber not only proved itself in combat operations, but it 
put teeth in the Air Force's ability to project global power. The B-2 
can carry sixteen 2,000-pound bombs or eight 5,000-pound bombs that can 
be delivered stealthily, with precision, against difficult targets such 
as ``bunker busting'' of underground compounds. Because the B-2 flies 
from and returns to Missouri, its deployment is unaffected by base 
crowding issues such as those that had to be worked out in Europe. Its 
maintenance budget is tight, particularly when you look at the number 
of aircraft and associated maintenance required as an alternative to a 
B-2 strike.
  While the role of the B-2 as a combat system was impressive, the 
performance of the men and women of Whiteman Air Force was simply 
stellar. They deserve the gratitude of the American people for their 
indispensable role in Operation Allied Force. Mr. Speaker, I am certain 
that the Members of the House will join me in paying tribute to fine 
men and women of Whiteman Air Force Base.

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