WHITEMAN AFB
AIR FORCE
Knob Noster, MO
United States
WHITEMAN AFB
AIR FORCE
Knob Noster, MO
United States
Whiteman AFB
Base Essentials
Home of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber in rural Missouri near Knob Noster — a small, close-knit nuclear-capable strike wing posting with easy Kansas City metro access and Missouri's affordable lifestyle.
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
AIR FORCE
Command
AFGSC
Status
Active
Est.
1942
Acres
4,700
Active Duty
4,000
Civilian
1,200
Population
55,000
Economic Impact
$600 million
Whiteman AFB History
Named AfterSecond Lieutenant George Achille Whiteman
Whiteman Air Force Base near Knob Noster, Missouri, was established in 1942 as a training airfield and later served as a Minuteman II ICBM base. Today it is the only operational base for the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, home to the 509th Bomb Wing. The 509th carries forward the legacy of the unit that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan in 1945. Whiteman will be central to the transition from the B-2 to the B-21 Raider as the Air Force modernizes its stealth bomber fleet. It also hosts the 131st Bomb Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard, which is integrated into B-2 operations.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
509th Bomb Wing (B-2 Spirit)
—
—
131st Bomb Wing (MO ANG)
—
—
Historic Timeline
1942
Established as Sedalia Army Air Field
1961
Minuteman I ICBM Mission Assigned
1993
B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Arrives
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1942
Established as Sedalia Army Air Field
The installation opened in 1942 as a WWII glider and pilot training base near Sedalia, Missouri. It was renamed Whiteman AFB in 1955 in honor of Second Lieutenant George A. Whiteman, a Missouri native whose P-40 was destroyed taking off at Bellows Field, Hawaii, during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.
1961
Minuteman I ICBM Mission Assigned
Whiteman was assigned the Minuteman I ICBM mission in 1961, operating 150 missiles across a vast Missouri missile field during the Cold War. The ICBM mission ended in 1995 when Whiteman transitioned entirely to its new strategic bomber mission.
1993
B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Arrives
The first B-2 Spirit stealth bomber was delivered to Whiteman AFB on December 17, 1993. Whiteman is the only base in the world that operates the B-2, and its 509th Bomb Wing has deployed B-2s to every major conflict since the aircraft entered service.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Whiteman AFB.
Whiteman AFB Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Whiteman AFB.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Whiteman AFB.
Information
20 of the Best Restaurants Near Whiteman AFB
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Information
The Best Whiteman AFB Schools: Daycare - High School
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Whiteman Air Force Base: In-Depth Welcome Center
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15 of the Best Things to Do Around Whiteman AFB
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Whiteman AFB Housing: 8 On-Base Options
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Whiteman AFB.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
509th Force Support Squadron — Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC)
Phone
(660) 687-5160Hours
Mon–Fri, 0730–1630
In-Processing
Personnel arriving at Whiteman AFB report to their unit's Commander Support Staff during duty hours with their PCS package. The CSS schedules all mandatory appointments, including Finance, Medical, and the mandatory Spirit Welcome Newcomer's Orientation. After-hours arrivals report to the Spirit Inn on-base lodging, the 24/7 arrival point.
The mandatory Spirit Welcome Newcomer's Orientation covers the 509th Bomb Wing's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber mission, base services, and the Sedalia/Warrensburg area community resources. The A&FRC at (660) 687-5160 coordinates relocation assistance, school liaison, and Kansas City metro area orientation.
Whiteman AFB is home to the 509th Bomb Wing (B-2A Spirit Stealth Bomber) — home of the world's most advanced long-range stealth aircraft. Located near Knob Noster, Missouri, the installation is about 70 miles southeast of Kansas City, offering outstanding affordability, a strong military community, and convenient access to metro amenities.
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Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Whiteman AFB.
On-post family housing at Whiteman AFB is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. The on-post neighborhoods offer 2–4 bedroom homes convenient to the flight line and base facilities. Whiteman's rural Missouri location between Warrensburg and Sedalia means on-post housing is popular with many families. Whiteman AFB is located between Warrensburg (13 miles east) and Kn…
Local Market
$1,150/mo
rent
/
$220,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Whiteman AFB
78
22% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Whiteman AFB.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Officer (SLO)
1
Middle Schools
View schools
2
High Schools
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Whiteman AFB — home of the B-2 Spirit — is in Knob Noster, MO, a small town of ~2,500. Most families live in Warrensburg (~15 min), Lee's Summit (~50 min), or Sedalia (~20 min). It's a rural posting with limited local options but reasonable commutes to larger cities.
Warrensburg
Small Town
The main hub for Whiteman families — home to the University of Central Missouri and a small-city feel. Affordable housing, decent schools (Warrensburg R-VI), and a 15-minute commute make it the default choice for most families.
Commute: 15 min
Schools: Warrensburg R-VI School District
Families with kids
Budget-friendly
Single service members
Affordable, short commute, college-town energy, spouse employment at UCM
Lee's Summit / Kansas City Suburbs
Suburban
Families willing to commute 45–55 min gain access to the full Kansas City metro — excellent schools, robust job market for spouses, and suburban amenities. Popular with dual military or families with school-age children.
Commute: 45–55 min
Schools: Lee's Summit R-VII / Blue Springs R-IV
Families with kids
Dual military
Retirees
Major metro access, top-rated schools, spouse career opportunities
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Whiteman AFB.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
Yes
Military Pay Details
Missouri fully exempts active duty military pay from state income tax for Missouri legal residents. Missouri National Gu…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside Missouri for Missouri income tax purposes. A qua…
Vehicle Registration
Missouri counties levy an annual personal property tax on vehicles — one of the more significant vehicle-related taxes i…
Property Tax
Missouri property taxes are levied at the county level and include a separate annual personal property tax on vehicles.…
Pet Policies at Whiteman AFB
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Whiteman AFB.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Whiteman AFB.
Commissary
1
Whiteman AFB Commissary
Exchange
BX
Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Medical
1
509th Medical Group Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whiteman AFB.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Spirit Gate is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Whiteman AFB.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Whiteman AFB.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.