The B-2 Spirit bombers deployed here from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., began flying operations Oct. 16, 2007. The Spirit is a multi-mission capable, state of the art platform equipped with low-observable stealth technology. It can launch from Whiteman AFB and strike any target in the world at a time and place of the combatant commander’s choosing. The stealth bomber Airmen deployed here will be fully integrated with the rest of the 36th Wing to take full advantage of integrated training opportunities. While the Spirit is a very capable and highly sophisticated weapon system, the Air Force Chief of Staff has said he desires an even more advanced Next Generation Long Range Strike bomber by 2018. (Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Kimball)