Last week, members of Team Tinker had the opportunity to interact with the very Airmen their work supports.

Citizen Airmen of the 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., visited here Aug. 17 to deliver a heartfelt thanks to the workforce who maintain the B-52H aircraft they fly.

Col. Trey Morriss, 307th BW vice commander, said he wants the Tinker workforce to know how thankful the operators are for the work being done here and that they don’t take their work for granted.

Colonel Morriss said to his knowledge this is the first time operators have been able to come and talk to the workforce and personally tell them thanks in such a forum. The colonel noted at each stop how his visit was a tide-turning event meant to ensure the entire workforce was publicly recognized for the important work they do by the B-52 operator community at-large.

“Frankly, up until this point I feel we, as operators, have been remiss in acknowledging the complexity and importance of this team here at Tinker,” Colonel Morriss said. “Day-in and day-out we go fly training missions, or now combat missions, and that airplane does not leave the ground without the work of everyone here at Tinker AFB. I’m sorry we as a community can’t come here every month to say thank you. Thank you for what you do to keep these jets flying.”

The commander’s words were backed up at each stop as he recognized a Team Tinker worker or craftsmen through the presentation of a commanders’ coin.

Colonel Morriss was joined on his six-stop mission of praise through the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex by Col. Rob Burgess, 307th Operations Group commander; Maj. Aaron Bohl, a B-52 pilot with the 343rd Bomb Squadron; and Maj. Nathan Barnhart, a B-52 radar navigator/weapon system officer with the 343rd BS.

At each stop, all four officers extended their heartfelt thanks to the mechanics, electricians, avionics specialists, software specialists and logisticians who have sustained the B-52 for over 60 years and will sustain it for years to come.

“I’m speechless,” Colonel Morriss said. “The complexity of your team is overwhelming, but at the same time, the harmony of your team is also present. You are doing an outstanding job on a 60-year-old airplane.”

The Air Force Reserve Command officers presented a short video that included weapon impact clips packaged as a salute to the OC-ALC maintenance team. Majors Bohl and Barnhart, both wearing desert-tan flight suits as they represented part of a combat crew who just returned to the U.S. from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, where they flew in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, told stories of how well the B-52 performed. The two had flown their last combat mission together a mere four days prior to visiting Tinker AFB on their strategic mission of praise.

Major Barnhart told a story of how, because of weapons upgrades done by the Tinker workforce, he and his crew had employed for the first time in combat the full capabilities of a laser-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition, also known as a laser-JDAM. Recent upgrades to the B-52 allowed Air Force Global Strike Command to declare Initial Operational Capability in May. The upgrades in place for the aircraft in theater flown by the 307th BW crews integrate laser-JDAM weapons on the external pylons.

Using these new upgrades Major Barnhart was able to self-designate, drop and continuously update the weapon until it exploded above the heads of six enemy fighters using a ground proximity fuse. The ability of a single weapon to eliminate the enemy fighters who had pinned-down Iraqi soldiers during a firefight gave Major Barnhart tactical efficiency he didn’t have in the past.  

“We have confidence in the airplane. That’s because of you,” he said. “We’re going back and will be there for a long time. So, I want to say, thank you.”

The visit not only had an impact on the members of the 307th BW, but also on the workforce who had a chance to come face-to-face with the operators of the aircraft. Many employees took time to approach the visitors to acknowledge the importance of being recognized.

“It was a humbling experience,” said Nathan Smiley, of the 565th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who received a coin from Colonel Morriss on behalf of his team. “I enjoyed hearing the stories. It does put my job in to perspective. Those are real people flying the airplanes we work on. Personally, it does mean a lot to me to know they’re appreciative.”

Brig. Gen. Mark Johnson, OC-ALC commander, said it’s always nice to hear from customers.

“However, having our customers actually visit us in such a meaningful way while telling stories to connect our workforce directly to the fighter means a lot,” the general said. “Our craftsmen have a true stake in the fight and this personal connection let them know how important they are. The 307th BW leadership hit a homerun with Team Tinker today.”

An important moment took place behind the secured walls of the software maintenance group when, following the speeches and stories from the 307th reserve members, Andre Leone, lead engineer for the weapons software group, assured the B-52 crewmembers they are working hard to keep the aircraft systems updated to provide a variety of weapons employment options from the conventional rotary launchers held inside the bomb bays of the jet. After Major Barnhart told of how important the recent upgrades have become he again extended his thanks to the team in front of him. Mr. Leone closed the loop with a broad smile and simple, “You’re welcome,” because he led the team that made the difference.  

Major Bohl made it clear the impact the B-52 has on the prosecution of war and why visiting the OC-ALC was important. The major recounted a bit of history to note that in World War I it was not uncommon for thousands of people to be killed in a single day by artillery fire. This gave artillery the title “king of battle.” The former Marine helicopter pilot noted that, “If artillery is the king of battle, then bombers are the gods of war … and you keep the gods flying.”