Whiteman AFB is the only permanent base for the B-2 stealth bomber . Whiteman can launch combat sorties directly from Missouri to any part of the globe , engaging adversaries with nuclear or conventional weapon payloads . The 509th Bomb Wing first flew the B-2 in combat against Serbia in March 1999 . Later , Whiteman B-2s led the way for America 's military response to the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C. in September 2001 . B-2 bombers were the first U.S. aircraft to enter Afghanistan airspace in October 2001 , paving the way for other coalition aircraft to engage Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces . During these operations , the aircraft flew round-trip from Missouri , logging combat missions in excess of 40 hours – the longest on record
terrorist attacks
September 11 attacks
Whiteman Air Force Base