Whiteman Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Knob Noster, Missouri
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Whiteman Air Force Base is located approximately 75 miles southeast of Kansas City, Missouri, near the town of Knob Noster in Johnson County. Home of the 509th Bomb Wing and 131st Bomb Wing (Missouri Air National Guard), Whiteman is the sole operational base for the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber – one of the world’s most advanced and capable aircraft. The B-2 Spirit provides the Air Force with its long-range, penetrating conventional and nuclear strike capability. Whiteman AFB is named for Second Lieutenant George A. Whiteman, a P-40 pilot killed during the Japanese attack on Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Operate and maintain the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet as the sole B-2 base; provide nuclear and conventional long-range strike capability for Air Force Global Strike Command; conduct global strike operations in support of combatant commands.
Major Units: 509th Bomb Wing (host wing, B-2A Spirit, “The Enola Gay Wing”); 131st Bomb Wing (Missouri ANG, associate B-2); 509th Operations Group; 393rd Bomb Squadron; 394th Combat Training Squadron
Tenant Units: Air Force Reserve elements; 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman (A-10C Thunderbolt II); various Air Force Global Strike Command support elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Kansas City, MO (population approximately 2.2 million metro) – approximately 75 miles northwest; Columbia, MO – approximately 60 miles east; Jefferson City, MO – approximately 60 miles east
Nearest Commercial Airport: Kansas City International Airport (MCI) – approximately 80 miles northwest; Columbia Regional Airport (COU) – approximately 65 miles east
Gate Access: Main gate on Route 23; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; B-2 program and nuclear mission create stringent access requirements for flight line and operations areas

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 4,500
Family Members: Approximately 5,500
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 11,500

Key Facilities

Medical: 509th Medical Group Clinic; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and flight medicine; specialty referrals to Research Medical Center or Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City (75 miles); Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia (20 miles) for routine care
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; outdoor pool; golf course (Swinging Bridge Golf Course); bowling; auto skills; Lake of the Ozarks (90 miles) is the premier regional recreation destination; Kansas City offers premier entertainment, sports (Chiefs, Royals), arts, and dining
Schools: Knob Noster R-VIII School District serves most on-base families; Johnson County schools; no DoDEA schools; Knob Noster school district is small but has a strong connection with the base community; Sedalia area provides additional options; some families choose to live closer to Warrensburg (home of UCM) for school and community options
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common given limited off-base community alternatives; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing on base; managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; mix of family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; on-post housing is especially popular given very limited off-post options near Knob Noster
Average Wait Time: Can be 60-120 days; Knob Noster area has very limited off-post rental housing; apply immediately upon receipt of orders; Warrensburg (15 miles) provides additional options
Off-Post Housing: Knob Noster (very limited), Warrensburg, Holden, and Sedalia are primary off-post communities; average rent approximately $1,000-$1,500/month for 3-bedroom home; Central Missouri is very affordable; no state income tax on military pay in Missouri
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 509th Bomb Wing sponsorship program; B-2 community is small and close-knit; B-2 bomber assignment is prestigious and competitive
In-Processing: 509th Wing in-processing; typically 2-3 days; nuclear surety training and B-2-specific certifications required for operations personnel; advanced security clearances required for B-2 program billets
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Knob Noster/Warrensburg specialist availability is very limited; Kansas City (75 miles) provides excellent specialist access including Children’s Mercy Hospital and major health systems

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid continental; hot humid summers (average high 90F/32C in July); cold winters (average low 19F/-7C in January); significant tornado risk in spring (Missouri is in tornado alley); spring thunderstorms; ice storms possible in winter; four distinct seasons
Cost of Living: Very low; Knob Noster and Central Missouri are among the most affordable areas in the Midwest; excellent housing value; Missouri has no state income tax on military pay
Nearby Attractions: Lake of the Ozarks (90 miles southeast) – boating, fishing, resort amenities; Kansas City cultural amenities, National WWI Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kauffman Stadium (Royals), Arrowhead Stadium (Chiefs), (75 miles); University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg (15 miles); Ha Ha Tonka State Park (80 miles); Columbia, MO with University of Missouri (60 miles); Oceans of Fun/Worlds of Fun theme parks in Kansas City
Spouse Employment: Very limited in Knob Noster; University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg (15 miles) is the primary local employer and educational resource; Sedalia has some manufacturing and healthcare employment; Kansas City (75 miles) offers extensive employment; remote work is essential for most spouses; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.whiteman.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (660) 687-1110
MWR Website: https://whitemanforcesupport.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Whiteman AFB; (660) 687-7236; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.whiteman.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/whiteman-air-force-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WhitemanAirForce_Base; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law