509th CG and 509th BW visit to Wendover

[wendovertom]

This is a little late and I hate to say since I was helping run the event, I have next to nothing picture wise but it was a super honor to host the 509th Bomb Wing XO LT Col. Conant and a few of his pilots - AND - two of the last three living members of the 509th Composite Group! It was a great event and a joy to have these two veterans "home" to Wendover. Plus having DOC visit and get a B-2 fly-by? it was special!

Here is a link to the DVIDs story about the event:
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7193084/509th-bomb-wing-honors-service-sacrifice-valor-original-509th-composite-group

Tom P.

[p51]

Great photos!
It just got me wondering as you mentioned a B2, but has there been any heritage formations with a WW2 bomber and a B-2 before?
Imagine a B-29 and a B-2 beating up a field, line abreast, at an airshow...

[wendovertom]

we actually tried to make that happen here - but that kind of dissimilar formation flight - with a B-2 - takes a LOOOOOONG list of approvals that goes almost all the way to the top of the Global Strike and USAF command chain - we just were not able to make it happen which was a bummer since I doubt the 509th CG vets will ever make it back to Wendover.

Tom

[509thJeff]

Thank you for everything you and your folks are doing Tom.

My grandfather was a S/SGT in the 603rd. I hope to come and see Wendover at some point. My grandfather met my grandmother in SLC, so it's sort of the birthplace of my branch of the family. LOL He had been a combat engineer flying stateside before he went to the 509th. He was always upset they took his wings from him to go to the 509th, but he was proud of his time there.

Thanks again

Jeff

[sandiego89]

Great event Tom!

I think I may have asked you this before (I apologize), but were you able to get Doc over the loading pit?

[p51]

we actually tried to make that happen here - but that kind of dissimilar formation flight - with a B-2 - takes a LOOOOOONG list of approvals that goes almost all the way to the top of the Global Strike and USAF command chain - we just were not able to make it happen which was a bummer since I doubt the 509th CG vets will ever make it back to Wendover.

That's such a shame the vets couldn't see that.
But as for getting a B-2, I know all too well what a pain it is to get one to do anything, as they always take off and land at Whiteman. A friend of mine coordinated for a Spirit fly over for a college football game and he is seriously considering writing a book about how much work it was to just get one to fly over.
I took place in a call for fire course where on the last day we called in a training airstrike from a bomber, dropping some big stuff. In the AAR, I asked the blue-suiter what was dropping that ordnance as they wouldn't ID themselves at the time on comms. He just gave me that look which indicated that I shouldn't ask.
I assumed it was a B-2, but I couldn't see it.

[wendovertom]

Great event Tom!

I think I may have asked you this before (I apologize), but were you able to get Doc over the loading pit?

No worries - I don't remember you asking so - we probably could do that but it would take some prep work on our part - the concrete between the taxiway and the pad around the pit has eroded quite a bit and is not super level or smooth.

we actually tried to make that happen here - but that kind of dissimilar formation flight - with a B-2 - takes a LOOOOOONG list of approvals that goes almost all the way to the top of the Global Strike and USAF command chain - we just were not able to make it happen which was a bummer since I doubt the 509th CG vets will ever make it back to Wendover.

That's such a shame the vets couldn't see that.
But as for getting a B-2, I know all too well what a pain it is to get one to do anything, as they always take off and land at Whiteman. A friend of mine coordinated for a Spirit fly over for a college football game and he is seriously considering writing a book about how much work it was to just get one to fly over.
I took place in a call for fire course where on the last day we called in a training airstrike from a bomber, dropping some big stuff. In the AAR, I asked the blue-suiter what was dropping that ordnance as they wouldn't ID themselves at the time on comms. He just gave me that look which indicated that I shouldn't ask.
I assumed it was a B-2, but I couldn't see it.

I could contribute to that book! When we started the XO wanted the B-2 to land and do a ground shot with the B-29, the current 509th pilots and leadership with the 509th CG veterans. All of which the 509th CO and XO were good with and we were working on coordinating with Hill AFB for "force protection" to attend but someone at GSC said, "NO". I understand it though.

Tom P.