All images from US Department of Defense…

With a B-2 Spirit bomber as a backdrop, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (2nd from left) thanks the men and women at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., on Oct. 19, 2001, for their efforts in bringing the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan. Rumsfeld, Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond (left) and Rep. Ike Skelton (2nd from right), both of Missouri, visited the base as the guest of Brig. Gen. Anthony F. Przybyslawski (right), commander of the 509th Bomb Wing which operates the B-2. Planes from the 509th have flown missions over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. DoD photo by R. D. Ward. (Released)

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (left) peers out the windshield from the mission commander's seat of a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., on Oct. 19, 2001. Rumsfeld is receiving a cockpit orientation from a pilot of the 509th Bomb Wing. Planes from the 509th have flown missions over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. DoD photo by R. D. Ward. (Released)

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld holds a media availability at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., on Oct. 19, 2001. Whiteman is the home of the B-2 Spirit bomber, which is operated exclusively by the 509th Bomb Wing. Planes from the 509th have flown missions over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. DoD photo by R. D. Ward. (Released)

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (left) stands under the open bomb bay of a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., on Oct. 19, 2001. Rumsfeld is talking to a group of B-2 pilots and mission commanders from the 509th Bomb Wing about the missions over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. DoD photo by R. D. Ward.

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (3rd from left) receives a briefing on B-2 Spirit bomber operations in Afghanistan from Air Force Col. Jonathan George (left foreground) during a visit to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., on Oct. 19, 2001. Flanking Rumsfeld are Rep. Ike Skelton (near side) and Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond (far side), both of Missouri. Whiteman is the home of the B-2 Spirit bomber, which is operated exclusively by the 509th Bomb Wing. Planes from the 509th have flown missions over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. DoD photo by R. D. Ward. (Released)