Navy pilot trains to fly Air Force B-2 - People Planes Places - Brief Article

Naval Aviation News, May-June, 2004 by Kat Ohlmeyer

The 394th Combat Training Squadron (CTS) is currently training a Navy pilot who flew his first B-2 sortie at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., on 6 January. Lt. Michael Orr has been flying the EA-6B Prowler for the Navy since 1998 and began his B-2 training with the 394th CTS in April 2003. Since the Prowler helps the B-2 elude radar through electronic attack, the 509th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) began bringing Prowler students from NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., to Whiteman in 2000 to teach them about the B-2 mission. Orr was one of the students to visit and while there, OSS members said they would like to have a Navy pilot in the program, specifically a Prowler pilot and a graduate of the Prowler Electronic Attack Weapons School. In fact, Orr was asked that day what he would be doing in a couple years.

Five months later, as he was preparing for deployment on board Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) for Operation Enduring Freedom, Orr received a call from 509th Bomb Wing officials saying they were serious about having him come fly for the wing. Once his training in the 394th CTS is complete, Orr will be assigned to the 509th OSS as the wing electronic warfare officer, working on projects to maximize the B-2's stealth capability. "Having a Navy pilot in the B-2 helps us continue to increase interoperability with our sister services," explained Lt. Col. Brian O'Rear, 509th OSS commander. "No service goes to war alone. It takes a team effort."

Story and photo by 2nd Lt. Kat Ohlmeyer, Whiteman AFB Public Affairs