The current 509th BW also led the way for America 's first military response following the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. on 11 September 2001 . B-2 bombers were the first U.S. aircraft to enter Afghan airspace in October 2001 , paving the way for other coalition aircraft to engage Taliban and Al Qaeda forces . During this operation , the aircraft flew roundtrip from Missouri , logging combat missions in excess of 40 hours — the longest on record
terrorist attacks
September 11 attacks
509th Bomb Wing