What would the ranks most likely be of the crew of a B-1B?

Question

I'm currently attempting to write a novel which briefly features a modified B-1B undertaking a risky, highly important mission in support of a Special Access Program. Since a few scenes are set in the cockpit and feature a discussion between the crew, it would be very helpful to know what the ranks of the crew would most likely be.

I've done a little research via a number of sites and e-book previews but so far I've not turned up much other than at least one Lancer pilot who was a Major but I have no idea how the co-pilot, DSO and OSO would compare in rank, or if B-1B pilots of greater rank than Major would be realistic/believable.

Answer 1

In general, the pilot could be a captain, major, or lt col, the copilot probably a 1lt or captain, and the navs any of the above. For a select crew handpicked for a "fate of the world" mission, you might put 2 instructor pilots together along with two senior navs, so all 4 as lt cols wouldn't be impossible. On the other hand, if the crew is essentially detailed off to be "secret squirrels" for a while, it probably wouldn't be stacked quite that high, so maybe a mix of majors & captains. That happens because it quickly becomes disruptive to take senior guys (tactics officers, instructors, the ops officer or commander, etc) away from their regular squadron jobs for a prolonged period. The more important the mission, the more that disruption is accepted.