Moody pilot selected to fly B-2 Spirit

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Schloeffel
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A Moody pilot fulfilled his Air Force goal recently when he was selected to fly the B-2 Spirit.

Capt. Luke Lucero, 3rd Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, learned he was selected Sept. 8, shortly after undergoing an interview process at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

The B-2 is a low-observable, or "stealth," bomber aircraft designed to drop conventional and nuclear munitions on targets.

"I was ecstatic when I found out," said Captain Lucero, a Wyoming native. "This is something I wanted to do for a long time, and from what I understand, they only pick about 12 new pilots a year to fly the B-2."

The decision was made after a two-month application and interview process, which included meeting with the 509th Bomb Wing and Operations Group commanders at Whiteman, and a session in the B-2 simulator.

"When I got there and saw the competition I was up against, I was certainly surprised I was selected," said Captain Lucero.

In a few months, Captain Lucero will relocate to Whiteman AFB, the B-2's only operational base. There, he will first train with a T-38A before flying the Spirit.

"I actually can't even imagine flying the B-2," said Captain Lucero. "I'll receive the opportunity to work with major weapon systems and learn how to employ an aircraft in combat situations with some of the highest technology available.

"I'm also excited about flying with a crew," the captain added. "The training planes I fly now are focused on the single cockpit mentality, where you're in charge. In the B-2, I'll work with another person to get the mission accomplished."

In addition to flying the B-2, Captain Lucero is also looking forward to moving his wife and two children to rural Missouri, he said.

"I'm going to a community I know my family and I will be happy with," he said. "Coming from Wyoming, I'm used to the feel of rural communities, so I'm excited about settling there."

Despite the opportunity of his dreams, Captain Lucero will miss Moody and his current mission of training future Air Force pilots.

"Moody's a great base and has been a lot of fun for my family," said Captain Lucero. "The job I have here is great, because it is fulfilling to train students who arrive knowing nothing about flying. I definitely enjoyed my time here."

While his co-workers will miss him, they hail Captain Lucero's abilities as a pilot, which ultimately was the factor for his selection, said 1st Lt. Scott Meyer, 3rd FTS pilot.

"Anyone who knows Captain Lucero knows why they chose him to be a B-2 pilot," he said. "His procedural knowledge and attention to detail earned him an early opportunity to fly one of the most elite aircraft in the inventory. I couldn't be any happier for him."