From certain angles, the B-2 still looks like an alien spaceship.
As reported in detail in the story with the exclusive interview with the newly appointed 393rd Bomb Squadron Commander Lt. Colonel Joseph “Zorro” Manglitz, after a five-year hiatus, Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri made a grand return with its airshow on July 13 and 14, 2024.
In fact, the event featured a stunning lineup, highlighted by unique aircraft formations, which made the 2024 Wings Over Whiteman Airshow an unforgettable spectacle.
Hints of something special emerged during a conversation with Colonel Keith Butler, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, who teased surprises in store for the audience. The B-2 Spirit bomber, exclusive to Whiteman AFB, stole the show by flying in formation with the historic B-29 Superfortress “Doc” and two T-38 Talon jet trainers.
B-2 pilots at Whiteman Air Force Base are required to be dual-qualified in both the B-2 and T-38 aircraft. As explained us by “Zorro”, the T-38 serves as a companion trainer, which is crucial for maintaining their flying skills. Pilots must fly twice a month, with instructors often flying more frequently.
The T-38, being very different from the B-2, offers significant value by allowing pilots to perform aerobatics, test various instrument approaches, and practice close formation flying. This contrast helps keep their stick and rudder skills sharp, ensuring they remain proficient in diverse flying conditions.
Therefore, the T-38 aerobatic jet trainer plays a vital role in maintaining pilot proficiency within bomb squadrons: they help the 393d Bomb Squadron Tigers maintain foundational airmanship, allowing them to concentrate on advanced tactics and missions when flying the B-2.
Interestingly, one of the T-38 pilots had a Go-Pro camera in the cockpit and shot some really interesting footage of the B-2 flying its flypasts with the two Talons in Vic formation.
The clip, shot from an echelon left position shows the B-2 flying a low level visual pattern around Whiteman with the T-38s.
The video includes various aerial perspectives, capturing the aircraft against the backdrop of clear skies and the ground below: from certain angles, the Spirit still resembles an alien spaceship 36 years after its roll-out (on Nov. 22, 1988) and 35 since its first flight (on Jul. 17, 1989).
The T-38 Talon
The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer renowned for its versatile design, cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, high performance, and outstanding safety record. Primarily used by Air Education and Training Command for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training, it is also utilized by Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and NASA for various roles.
The T-38 boasts swept wings, a streamlined fuselage, and tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose wheel. It has two hydraulic systems powering flight controls, with critical components easily accessible at waist height. The T-38C features a “glass cockpit” with advanced avionics displays and a head-up display, while the AT-38B includes a gun sight and practice bomb dispenser.
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.
