MY MOST MEMORABLE INCIDENT ON THE B-2 TEST PROGRAM

By Ron Hart

July 2006

I was on the B-2 Stealth Bomber test program for 8 and ½ years. When I got on the program, there was no airplane, just a wood mock-up. I started out at North Base, and was assigned badge number 144. Eventually there would be over 2,000 people assigned to the Combined Test Force (CTF). My most memorable incident was when I got kicked out of the B-2 Donut Club.

When the South Base facility was completed about 1988 (?) we moved from North Base to South Base. Eventually some Air Force and Northrop engineers started a donut club; henceforth known as the B-2 Donut Club. There were about 20 to 30 members, and each Friday a club member whose turn it was, was required to bring in “donuts” for the club members. There is a reason that donuts is in quotes.

I was asked to join up, even though I am not a donut connoisseur, (a characteristic that would soon come back to haunt me). When my turn in the barrel came around, I was notified by the Club president, or some high ranking official, and I stopped off at a donut shop on the way home from work on Thursday and loaded up with three dozen assorted donuts. Friday morning rolled around, and I set out the donuts on a desk at work like I was supposed to do, for the club members only to feast on.

Later on in the morning, apparently Club officers had an executive meeting or something, and I was informed that my donuts were not up to the high standards of the B-2 Donut Club. I replied that I would try and do better next time. By that time I had noticed that most, if not all, members were bringing in every type pastry but donuts.

My turn to buy donuts came around again about six months later, and I made it a point to purchase donuts at a different location then I previously did. I went through the routine again on Friday morning-and guess what? I was notified by the Donut Club bosses that I was being kicked out of the B-2 Donut Club due to poor performance (bad donuts). My only regret is that I didn’t get a chance to resign first.

RON HART