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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The 509th Maintenance Group at Whiteman Air Force Base is celebrating a triumphant return to the winner's circle, securing the coveted Maj. Gen. Clements McMullen Memorial Daedalian Trophy for Air Force Global Strike Command. This marks their first win in seven years, underscoring the group's relentless pursuit of excellence in maintaining the world's only B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet.
The 509th MXG, comprised of 1,683 active duty and Air National Guard Airmen, beat out tough competition across the command. Their selection recognizes not just the sheer volume of work - over 38,000 maintenance actions and 4,700 stealth system defect repairs - but the impact of their "Combat Focused, Readiness Driven" ethos. This enabled the B-2 to achieve a 94% Mission Effectiveness Rate, generating 957 sorties across exercises, deployments, and test missions, including the first-ever 12-ship B-2 fly-off during Exercise Spirit Vigilance.
“This award belongs to each Airman of the 509th Maintenance Group and our Total Force team-mates in the 131st Maintenance Group," said Col. Joshua Pope, 509th Maintenance Group Commander. "Their everyday professionalism and dedication under difficult conditions are the back-bone of the B-2's global strike capability."
The Daedalian Trophy, with a legacy dating back to 1936, isn't won on numbers alone. The 509th MXG impressed with their proactive problem solving, such as developing a field-level battery repair process that nearly eliminated a fleet-wide supply shortage, saving $1.8 million. Their collaboration with Georgia Tech Research Institute streamlined B-2 inspections, returning 3,000 flying hours to the fleet annually.
More than just fixing aircraft, the 509th MXG invested in their Airmen. They implemented Viper University, a 24-course program boosting morale and skills, resulting in 35 maintainers pursuing FAA certifications and 115 enrolling in higher education. This win for the 509th MXG is a win for the B-2 mission and a testament to the Airmen who make it possible.
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2025 14:28 |
| Story ID: | 492930 |
| Location: | WHITEMAN AFB, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 13 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 509th Maintenance Group Soars to Daedalian Trophy Victory, by TSgt Nicholas Alder, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
