Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri is home to the 509th Bomb Wing, which is the “host wing” of the base. Located in Knob Noster, Missouri, and approximately 70 minutes from Kansas City, Whiteman is home to the B-2 Bomber and serves some 4,000 active duty military members, 5,000 family members, and the base employs around 1000 civilian employees.
Find information about Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
Whiteman Air Force Base and the 509th Bomb Wing operate as part of Air Force Global Strike Command. The 509th flies and maintains the B-2 Spirit bomber, which the base’s official site describes as a “multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions.” The base serves active duty, National Guard and Air Force Reserve missions.
Important missions and units at Whiteman AFB include:
- 131st Bomb Wing
- 1ST Battalion 135th Aviation Missouri Army National Guard
- 20th Reconnaissance Squadron
- 393rd Bomb Squadron
- 394th Combat Training Squadron
- 442nd Fighter Wing AFRES
- 509 Civil Engineer Squadron
- 509th Communications Squadron
- 509th Contracting Squadron
- 509th Force Support Squadron
- 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 509th Maintenance Operations Squadron
- 509th Medical Group – 509 MDG
- 509th Operations Squadron – 509 MDOS
- 509th Security Forces Squadron
- 709th Munitions Squadron
History
In 1942, Army Air Corps officials chose the current location of Whiteman AFB to serve as Sedalia Army Airfield. This was prior to the Air Force becoming a separate branch of military, and during the conclusion of World War Two, the airfield stayed active to serve Army C-46 and C-47 transport aircraft.
By the time the Air Force had become a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947, Sedalia Army Airfield was preparing to be inactivated–operations there ceased in December of that year. But the Cold War era would help bring the installation back to life. In 1951 Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) took over the area to home a new bomb wing with both bombers and tanker refuelers assigned there.
In 1952, SAC activated the 340th Bomb Wing, and three years later in 1955 the installation was redesignated as Whiteman Air Force Base, named after Missouri resident 2nd Lieutenant George Whiteman of Sedalia. Whiteman was among the first Americans killed in combat during World War Two. He was shot down while flying a P-40 fighter aircraft.
In the 1960s, Whiteman Air Force Base became a Minuteman Missile base (the 4th at the time) but in contemporary times, Whiteman’s best known nuclear and conventional deterrent is the B-2 Spirit.
Contacts
Main Address and Telephone Numbers
750 Arnold Ave
Whiteman AFB, MO 65305
- 660-687-7132
- 312-975-7132
Important Whiteman AFB Contact Numbers
- Barracks Single Service Member Housing (660) 687-5662
- Chapels (660) 687-3652
- Civilian Personnel Office (660) 687-5007
- Commissary Shoppette (660) 563-5445
- Child Development Center (660) 687-5588
- Counseling for Adults, Military and Family Life Consultants (660) 251-1949
- Counseling for Children, Military and Family Life Consultants (660) 624-0307
- EFMP Enrollment (660) 687-4780
- Emergency 911
- Emergency Relief Services (660) 687-7132
- Exchange (660) 563-3003
- Family Advocacy Program (FAP) (660) 687-4342
- Family Center (660) 687-7132
- Family Member Emp. Assistance Program (660) 687-7132
- New Parent Support Program (660) 687-4342
- Relocation Program (660) 687-7132
- Victim Advocate Services (660) 687-7272
- Housing Office Government Housing (660) 687-4418
- ID CAC Card Processing (660) 687-6426
- Information and Referral Services (660) 687-7132
- Housing Management Office (660) 687-4418
- Housing Referral Office (660) 687-4421
- Legal Services JAG (660) 687-6809
- Retirement Services (660) 687-6457
Surrounding Area
Whiteman AFB is roughly three and a half hours from St. Louis, Missouri, and about 70 minutes from Kansas City. Both have much to offer in terms of the arts, major league sports, and nightlife. St. Louis and Kansas City are both major destinations for concerts and other performing arts; The Blue Room and The Midland in Kansas City are both known for good live performances.
The Madrid Theatre and the Uptown Theatre also have earned solid reputations for live events. There are brewery tours at Boulevard Brewing Company and the National World War Two museum is an excellent destination for those interested in history, especially military history.
Farther away in St. Louis, Busch Stadium is known for both Major League Baseball and live music. The local favorite Vintage Vinyl is a massive record store with vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and regular live performances in-store. The St. Louis Zoo, and the fine dining in the Italian Hill district should not be missed.
Closer to the base, Knob Noster offers local wineries such as Montserrat Vineyards, and Bristle Ridge Vineyards. Knob Noster State Park offers outdoor fun for the entire family, and the Royal Oaks Golf Course provides a quiet getaway on the links in the local area. The local area is described as “quiet” and many find that journeys toward nearby Kansas City and beyond provide more of the hustle and bustle city life has to offer.
Inprocessing and Check-In
Those who are PCSing to the base should coordinate with their sponsor, who may choose to meet you at the airport, at billeting, or at the Visitor’s Center. After meeting your sponsor you will be required to check in with your gaining unit to learn what the current inprocessing procedures are and scheduled appointments with the Whiteman AFB Welcome Center. Family members are encouraged to attend and an inprocessing schedule is provided for you during your initial check-in and appointment setting.
Health Care
No emergency services are available on base. There is an installation clinic run by the 509th Medical Group, which is an outpatient facility “providing comprehensive health and wellness care for eligible beneficiaries” living on base and in the surrounding area. There are three “patient-centered medical homes” and services there include:
- Optometry
- Mental health
- Physical therapy
- Immunizations
- Public health
- Laboratory services
- Radiology
- Pharmacy services
Call the appointment line at 660-687-2188. There is also a TDD line for the hearing impaired. Call via TDD–660-687-5059.
Child Care
Childcare options at Whiteman AFB include the Susie Skelton Child Development Center (CDC) and care in on-base homes that are accredited and monitored under the Family Child Care plan. CDC care is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and offers full day options and space-available hourly care for children ages 6 months to 5 years old.
Fees & Charges are based on total family income and are adjusted annually in accordance with the Military Child Care Act of 1996. Contact the CDC as soon as you have PCS orders to Whiteman AFB; you must provide a current immunization record for each child and submit
The parent or legal guardian must present their child’s current immunization record, complete an AF Form 1181, Youth Flight Patron Registration. Also required–documentation of total family income for billing purposes.
Other options include using the Child Care Aware of America (formerly NACCRRA) website. You can also call the Family Child Care office at 660-687-5590.
Household Goods
All inbound PCSing troops are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments to Whiteman Air Force Base with the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil. You can also get local assistance from the Whiteman AFB Inbound TMO section at (660) 687-4123
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
Contact Whiteman AFB ID CAC Card Processing (660) 687-6426 for instructions on making appointments. You may be directed to schedule an appointment online using the RAPIDS system, but however you book your appointment, assume you will need one appointment per ID card service required. Two forms of unexpired ID (which may need to be REAL ID Act-compliant–ask your sponsor) are required to obtain most ID card services and dependents must either have their sponsor present or present the appropriate power of attorney or equivalent to get ID card services without the sponsor present.
Schools
There are no DoD schools operating on Whiteman AFB but there is a school on base, operated by the Knob Noster School District. In town, there is a second elementary school, plus a middle school and high school–all located in Knob Noster.
Other nearby districts include Warrensburg and Sedalia. Parents who are enrolling students for the first time are required to provide current shot records, proof of Social Security Numbers, enrollment records from prior schools, plus transcripts. Contact the Whiteman AFB School Liaison office for assistance at 660-687-7664 or DSN 312-975-6533.
Housing
Housing at Whiteman AFB is privatized and operated by Balfour Beatty Communities. There are around 900 family housing units on base. Waiting lists may apply; call 660-687-0559 as soon as you have PCS orders to Whiteman AFB to learn about waiting lists and application procedures. All personnel are encouraged to use the Air Force Housing website or call the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron Housing Management team at 660-687-4418 or DSN 975-4418.
PCS and TDY Lodging
The Whiteman Inn provides temporary lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel; there is also limited space-available lodging but these tend to go quickly. There are very limited pet-friendly facilities. Don’t assume your pets are able to stay with you–ask at reservation time.
Those PCSing to Whiteman who will live in the dorms should know arrangements can be made (with your gaining unit’s coordination) to have a room available upon arrival. Some may check into the Whiteman Inn only to be given a letter of non-availability authorizing the user to stay in off-post facilities at government expense. Don’t assume you are authorized to stay off-base without this letter of non-availability. Make reservations in advance at 660-687-1844 or DSN 312-975-1844.
Transportation
Most who fly as part of TDY and PCS travel will fly into Kansas City International Airport, which is about 90 miles southeast of the base. It is very important to communicate with your sponsor or gaining command ahead of arrival as taxi service from Kansas City International may run up to hundreds of dollars.
Coordinate your arrival with your sponsor and be sure to ask about alternatives to taxis and shuttles from KCI. There are no official shuttles or military base transportation service from the airport.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Whiteman AFB has two gates–Spirit and Arnold–for routine base access. There is a 100% ID check and random searches may apply to vehicles entering or exiting the base.
All privately owned vehicles operating on Whiteman AFB are required to have all state-mandated insurance, safety devices, and comply with all hands-free cell phone rules.
Some who relocated to the state may not be required to obtain a Missouri drivers’ license or ID card, and they are also not required to register their privately owned vehicles in the State of Missouri. These include:
- Members of the Armed Forces with a valid license from the home of record
- Full-time students with a valid license from your home state
- Operators of farm tractors and related vehicles on a highway for agricultural related purposes
The following are not offered the exemption and must obtain a Missouri driver license:
- Those who are Missouri residents and are 16 years of age or older
- New residents of Missouri
- Out-of-state commercial drivers who have moved to Missouri within the last 30 days