B-2 celebrates 20th anniversary on Saturday

It weighs 160,000 pounds, is 17 feet tall and has a wingspan of 172 feet and Saturday the B-2 Spirit bomber will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

According to the U.S. Air Force Web site, the first B-2 was displayed on Nov. 22, 1988, in California. Its first flight was July 17, 1989, and today, Whiteman Air Force Base is the only operational base for the B-2.

Whiteman and the 509th Bomb Wing received the Spirit of Missouri on Dec. 17, 1993, and since then it has been used in combat in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Saturday's events will recognize the impact the B-2 has had on the Air Force and honor Sedalia native Lt. George A. Whiteman during a wreath laying ceremony.

In 1941, Whiteman fought an enemy aircraft that was staging a surprise attack against a naval and air base in Hawaii. He was awarded the Silver Star and in 1955, Sedalia Air Force Base was renamed
Whiteman Air Force Base in his honor.

At 11 a.m. planes will fly over Whiteman's grave at Memorial Park Cemetery as he is honored. Some of Whiteman's family will be there and Col. Robert Wheeler, 509th Bomb Wing commander will speak.

Beginning at 12:30 p.m., events will begin at the State Fair Community College Campus to celebrate 20 years of the B-2.

Dianne Simon, chairwoman of the Sedalia Military Affairs Committee, said there will be events for the whole family to enjoy.

"We want to recognize the Whiteman folks for what they do," Simon said. "They bring a lot to our community." U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton and Col. Wheeler will be speaking and a lunch will be available for free for military members.

Simon said the base Honor Guard will present colors and there will be planes on display and a armored Humvee. Other events include a K-9 dog demonstration and a weapons display.

"It will be a fun day for the family and a way to meet members of the military and thank them for their service to us," Simon said.

All of the events are free to attend.