372nd TRS, Det 6: Combat capability starts here

The 372nd Training Squadron Field Training Detachment 6 at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri is the ONLY operational B-2 maintenance training location.  The instructors of the detachment train both active duty and Missouri Air National Guard maintainers.  The detachment chief, Senior Master Sgt. Richard Clark said, “’Combat capability starts here:’ this vision of the 82nd Training Wing captures the role of the training detachment perfectly.  Every maintainer on this flight line has or will have attended one of our courses.  I am confident in saying few units have that level of impact on the mission.” Furthermore, “Here at Det 6, we have 18 instructors covering 12 AFSCs, two Trainer Development Team members, and an Information Manager providing the 509th Bomb Wing and 131st Bomb Wing the crucial skills needed to maintain the only B-2 fleet.  We achieve this through the expertise of our personnel coupled with extensive maintenance training devices.”

Within the detachment, there is a Trainer Development Team which networks with agencies within AETC, AFGSC, AFMC, and DOD contractors to develop, maintain, sustain, and modify the maintenance trainers.  Inherently, Det 6 directly contributes to the 509th Bomb Wing’s ability to provide safe, secure, and effective nuclear and conventional airpower and execute their strategic deterrence, global strike, and combat support mission.

Clark continued, “The Det 6 team has worked hard over the past year to improve the course material, the training environment, and the community.  They generated 12K instructional hours during 170 courses and developed over 450 quality maintainers.  I am very proud of them and honored to serve with them each day.  They have established three new classrooms to decrease scheduling conflicts and maximize the space allotted to us.  Our instructors liaised with AFGSC A4 and civilian contractors to develop our new fiber optics course and penned technical order procedures.  Additionally, Low observable personnel sourced composite training panels at no cost to the detachment, saving approximately $15K per panel.

The folks here continue to have a lasting effect on the community as well.  They have dedicated countless hours to the local schools, Relay-for-Life, Leukemia Foundation, Adopt-a-Highway, and served on the flag team for the World Series.  Finally, we have taken steps to build a family culture through increased detachment events such as luncheons and quarterly detachment days.  This allows us to include professional development and team building.  The men and women of Det 6 ensure the mission to ‘train and inspire warriors’ is accomplished here at Whiteman AFB.”