Whiteman Air Force Base
| Whiteman Air Force Base | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near Knob Noster, Missouri in the United States of America | |||||||
A B-2A Spirit from the 509th Bomb Wing flying over Whiteman AFB. | |||||||
| Site information | |||||||
| Type | US Air Force Base | ||||||
| Owner | Department of Defense | ||||||
| Operator | United States Air Force | ||||||
| Controlled by | Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) | ||||||
| Condition | Operational | ||||||
| Website | www.whiteman.af.mil | ||||||
| Location | |||||||
Whiteman Whiteman Whiteman | |||||||
| Coordinates | 38°43′49″N 93°32′55″W / 38.73028°N 93.54861°W | ||||||
| Site history | |||||||
| Built | 1942 (as Sedalia Glider Base) | ||||||
| In use | 1942 – present | ||||||
| Garrison information | |||||||
| Current commander | Colonel Keith J. Butler | ||||||
| Garrison | 509th Bomb Wing (Host) | ||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||
| Identifiers | IATA: SZL, ICAO: KSZL, FAA LID: SZL, WMO: 724467 | ||||||
| Elevation | 265.4 metres (871 ft) AMSL | ||||||
| |||||||
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration | |||||||
Whiteman Air Force Base (IATA: SZL, ICAO: KSZL, FAA LID: SZL) is a United States Air Force base located just south of Knob Noster, Missouri, United States. It is operated by the Air Force Global Strike Command, as the base for all 19 operational B-2 Spirit nuclear-capable stealth bombers, as well as for A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft and others. There is also a sizable Missouri Air National Guard presence on base as well.
The base is approximately 60 miles (100 km) east-southeast of Kansas City in rural Johnson County. Originally established as the Sedalia Glider Base, it was later renamed after 2nd Lt George Whiteman, a native Missourian who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The facility covers 5,566 acres (8.7 sq mi; 22.5 km2) and is maintained by the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron. During the Cold War, Whiteman played a significant role in the American nuclear triad, with a total of 150 Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) built in the vicinity of the base, later dismantled as part of arms reductions.
Following the end of the Cold War era, the base became home to the B-2 bomber force beginning in the 1990s and continues to play a crucial role in the US nuclear deterrent. B-2 bombers have flown non-stop flights from Whiteman for bombing campaigns in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Iran.