MANCHESTER, NH – Worlds will collide on April 26 in a way that, frankly, Dean Kamen probably imagined because, well, he’s an imaginative kind of guy. And because this is why he started FIRST Robotics in the first place.
Still, it will be a proud moment for the founding father of innovative engineering education.
Kamen has been given a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity, to fly in a futuristic B-2 Spirit bomber and experience the Air Force’s cutting edge innovation and technology first hand as he makes a grand entrance for next week’s FIRST Robotics Championship in Missouri.
But that’s not even the best part.
In a twist of fate for Kamen, he will also meet with two FIRST alumni, who are now work maintenance for the Air Force to keep the B-2 mission ready.
On April 26 Kamen, an avid pilot of his own private plane, will take flight at Whiteman AFB to mark the opening of the 2016 FIRST Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri.
The FIRST alumi, 2nd Lt. Ben Petry and Staff Sgt. Stephan Kuipers, lead specialized teams to meet the B-2’s unique systems, structural and programing challenges.
Petry is a maintenance officer assigned to the 509th Maintenance Squadron’s (MXS) Aerospace Ground Equipment shop and leads more than 80 Airmen who maintain equipment systems such as generators, hydraulic systems and lift trucks, which support B-2 maintenance and ultimately keep it flying. Understanding engineering theory and how systems works together is an essential part of their jobs.
Kuipers is a 509th MXS crew chief shift lead, responsible for supervising and training up to eight Airmen who help maintain all 19 B-2 Spirit bombers at Whiteman AFB. Crew chiefs ensure the B-2 is flight-ready. From inspection to issue identification and resolution, they follow a strict process. Kuipers and his team are the first to inspect the B-2 after landing and the last to check the aircraft before takeoff. Therefore, attention to detail is paramount.
Kuipers also mentors the FIRST Robotics Competition ‘Team Bronco Bots’ from Lee’s Summit, Mo., during his off-duty time. This year, under his mentorship, the team is headed to the 2016 FIRST Championship in St. Louis. Austin Ahern, the current high school build team leader, for Team Bronco Bots’ has been accepted to the Air Force Academy and will start this June.