Vance couple selected to pilot B-2s

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lori Wise
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  The Air Force's B-2 bomber wing has announced a historical first - the selection of a married pilot couple.
Capts. Rob and Beth Makros, T-38 instructor pilots with the 25th Flying Training Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, were named in the Jan. 11 assignment notification.
Previously F-15E and B-1 pilots respectively before arriving at Vance, both are thrilled with their new B-2 assignments.
"We were praying for this assignment, and our prayers were answered," Beth said.
"It's awesome. The B-2 is a great opportunity for both of us," Rob added.
The 509th Bomb Wing's B-2 pilot selection process is governed by a memorandum of understanding with its headquarters, Air Combat Command. The hiring process consists of a board screening, Airmanship evaluation and commander's interview at the wing headquarters, Whiteman AFB, Mo. The pilot selection standards are high and competitive because there are only 20 operational B-2s in existence.
"Captains Rob and Beth Makros are two outstanding officers who did exceptionally well during our selection process," said Lt. Col. Steve Moulton, 394th Combat Training Squadron commander. "The 509th Bomb Wing is fortunate to gain two superbly talented aviators who will now become part of an elite team that can deliver mass, precision and stealth ... anytime, anywhere."
Although the Makroses have been married for six years, the longest time they've spent together consecutively has been their 18 months at Vance.
After graduation from the Air Force Academy, they dated long-distance for two years while Beth completed her master's degree at Harvard in Boston and Rob completed his pilot training at Columbus AFB, Miss.
The couple got married, then Rob headed to F-15E training at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., before taking his assignment at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, while Beth entered and completed pilot training at Columbus. She selected a B-1 in hopes of also getting assigned at Mountain Home.
"But it didn't quite work out the way we had hoped," Rob said.
"Throughout our comedy of errors, we tried to plan our assignments to be together, but the Air Force relocated the B-1s to Dyess AFB, Texas, so again we were back to commuting on weekends to see each other," Beth explained.
In the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, the couple deployed several times with their F-15E and B-1 squadrons to support the global war on terrorism. With operational combat experience under their belts, they were both selected to become instructor pilots in a join spouse assignment to Vance.
After finally getting to enjoy an overdue honeymoon trip together, the couple recently moved apart again when Beth accepted a one-year internship at the Pentagon.
"Our commanders have all been very supportive of our careers, marriage and commuting," Rob said.
"Rob and I also support each other's goals and allow each other the freedom to grow and develop separately in our individual ambitions," Beth said. "We do our best to cooperate, communicate and make adjustments as necessary to strengthen our relationship."
The B-2 Spirit bomber is capable of delivering conventional and nuclear munitions. Its "stealth" characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses. At a cost of $1.157 billion each, the B-2's capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provides a strong, effective deterrent and combat force into the 21st century, according to an Air Force Fact Sheet. The B-2 completed its first-ever combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying 22 sorties from a forward operating location as well as 27 sorties from Whiteman AFB and releasing more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions.
The Makroses are looking forward to their July assignment and reunion at Whiteman AFB, Mo. After becoming mission-qualified for the B-2, they hope to stay for three to five years and also assist as IPs in the T-38 program there.