• National Guard service linked to Employment

    Serving in the National Guard and Reserve may be one way to improve employment opportunities, according to a recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/vet.t08.htm)The report, released by this country's definitive authority on employment issues, stated that Gulf

  • Former 131st Commander promoted to brigadier general

    Gregory S. Champagne was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony held at the Ike Skelton Training Site on Saturday.Champagne, a 30-year service member and the previous commander of the 131st Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., has been serving as the Assistant Adjutant General-Air of

  • 131st Bomb Wing Chaplain receives Samuel Stone Award

    Chaplain Lt. Col. Michael T. Butler, 131st Bomb Wing, was recently awarded the 2012 Samuel Stone Award, recognizing him as the Chaplain of the Year for the Air National Guard."The Missouri National Guard is proud of Lt. Col. Butler and his service as chaplain with the 131st Bomb Wing," said Maj.

  • First B-2 surpasses 7,000 flight hours

    Since the B-2 "Spirit of Florida" first arrived at Whiteman Air Force Base in July 1996, its stealthiness and massive firepower have been used in missions around the world. During its latest mission April 1, the aircraft and its crew celebrated a monumental milestone as it became the first B-2

  • Hagel Announces Fewer Furlough Days for Civilians

    The Defense Department has revised from 22 to 14 the number of days hundreds of thousands of civilian employees could be furloughed this year because of the budget sequester, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today.In addition, a senior Defense Department official speaking on background told

  • B-2 bombers conduct extended deterrence mission to the Republic of Korea

     U.S. Strategic Command sent two B-2 Spirit bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., to the Republic of Korea March 28, for a long-duration, round-trip training mission as part of the ongoing bilateral Foal Eagle training exercise, demonstrating the commitment of the United States and its

  • Francis assumes command of 131st Bomb Wing

    The National Guard's only B-2 unit gained a new commander at 1:31 p.m. Sunday when Col. Michael J. Francis assumed command of the 131st Bomb Wing in a ceremony held here. Col. Gregory Champagne, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, announced the decision last month. "Colonel Francis brings over 23 years

  • Champagne named new Missouri Air National Guard assistant adjutant general

    Missouri's adjutant general has named a new assistant adjutant general-Air for the Missouri National Guard at Ike Skelton Training Site on Sunday. Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, the adjutant general, announced Col. Gregory Champagne, the current commander of the 131st Bomb Wing, will succeed retiring Air

  • Elwell named 2012 Missouri Air Guard Airman of the Year

    A Warrensburg resident and member of the 131st Bomb Wing, Senior Airman Joseph Elwell, is the 2012 Airman of the Year for the Missouri Air National Guard. Elwell, 23, serves as an intelligence technician with the 131st Operations Group of the 131st Bomb Wing, at Whiteman Air Force Base, near Knob