Cost of living
Categories
Johnson
Missouri
United States
Overall
82.5
85.6
100.0
Grocery
96.3
94.9
100
Health
107.1
104.3
Housing
65.0
66.5
Median Home Cost
$226,700
$212,300
$338,100
Utilities
98.5%
100.0%
Transportation
71.0
86.2
Miscellaneous
79.4
100=National Average
(as reported by bestplaces.net)
Passports and Visas
If you are traveling from overseas, ensure you and/or all dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included.
The 509th Bomb Wing is part of Air Force Global Strike Command as well as the host wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO. The bomb wing and its fleet of B-2 Spirit bombers serve as part of the Air Force's conventional and strategic combat force. The men and women of the wing are capable of flying anywhere around the world from home station and delivering a wide range of precision-guided munitions.
Today, Whiteman Air Force Base is the home of the 509th Bomb Wing, which operates and maintains the Air Force's premier weapon system, the B-2 bomber. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.
Mission Statement: Execute Strategic Deterrence, Global Strike and Combat Support...Anytime, Anywhere!
Commander's Priorities:
- Readiness
- Processes
- Community
The challenges and demands of this unit's mission are many and varied. Yet, Whiteman's people meet those challenges and demands daily with great pride and professionalism, which have been a proud tradition for many years.
Whiteman's proud heritage dates back to 1942 when U.S. Army Air Corps officials selected the site of the present-day base to be the home of Sedalia Army Air Field. Throughout World War II, the base WACO glider, C-46 and C-47 transport pilots.
In December 1947, the base was inactivated and only a few civilian caretakers remained. In August 1951, SAC selected the base to be a site for one of its new bombardment wings, with both bombers and tankers assigned to the unit. In October 1952, SAC activated the 340th Bombardment Wing.
In October 1955, the members of the bomb wing saw their base's name change to Whiteman Air Force Base, in honor of 2nd Lieutenant George A. Whiteman of Sedalia, Missouri. Lieutenant Whiteman was one of the first American Airmen killed in combat during World War II when his P-40 fighter was shot down by the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
As Whiteman AFB entered the '60s, its mission shifted from aircraft to the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile. In June 1961, Air Force officials selected the base to be the location of SAC's fourth Minuteman missile wing and the 351st Strategic Missile Wing took over for the 340th. The 351st remained the host wing at Whiteman AFB until the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with the Soviet Union reduced the number of missiles in the United States inventory and the wing selected for inactivation.
The 509th Bomb Wing relocated to Whiteman from Pease AFB, New Hampshire in 1990 and took over host wing responsibilities from the 351st in 1993 as the base traded its missiles for B-2 Bombers. Today, several organizations call Whiteman AFB home. The 131st Bomb Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard is the 509th’s partner in flying and supporting the B-2, while the Missouri Army National Guard’s 1 135st Assault Helicopter Battalion flies UH-60 helicopters, 20th Attack Squadron, and the Air Force Reserve’s 442d Fighter Wing with A-10 fighters. Additionally, a handful of smaller units call Whiteman AFB home. For more of Whiteman's history visit the installation's homepage.
Whiteman estimated population:
Active duty - 3,841
Family members - 3,396
Retirees in local area - 4,234
Civilian employees - 2,027
Reserve and Guard - 2,320
Whiteman Air Force Base is located in Knob Noster, Missouri which is approximately 60 miles southeast of Kansas City, Missouri in rural Johnson County.
Knob Knoster has a population of 2,785 people. Nearby Warrensburg has a population of 19,638. Warrensburg is also home to University of Central Missouri. Sedalia, Missouri is approximately 20 miles east of Whiteman AFB and the home of The Missouri State Fair. The population of Sedalia is 21,809.
Traveling by Plane
People who plan to fly into the area should fly into the Kansas City International Airport (MCI). The base is approximately 93 miles Southeast of the airport. If you plan to drive from the airport to base, take I-435 East toward St. Louis. Merge onto I-70 East toward St Louis. At Higginsville, take the Missouri Hwy 13 exit and go South toward Warrensburg. At Warrensburg, take US Hwy 50 East (or MO-13 Bypass) toward Knob Noster/Whiteman AFB. When you arrive in Knob Noster, take Missouri Hwy 23 South to the Spirit Gate on the left. The trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Contact your sponsor if you have no transportation from the airport. If you are unable to reach your sponsor, please call the M&FRC at 660-687-7132 and ask to speak to your squadron's First Sergeant or Unit Sponsor Monitor. There is no base transportation available at the airport. If you are required to take a taxi, chauffer service or Uber from the airport to Whiteman, the approximate cost will be $200.00. Always ask for a receipt so you can request reimbursement on your travel voucher. You are authorized to put this expense on your Government Travel Card. Please remember that mileage from the airport is also reimbursable on your travel voucher.
Whiteman AFB offers three gates for personnel to use for access the installation: The Spirit Gate, the Arnold Gate, and the Lemay Gate. Incoming personnel are encouraged to stop at the Spirit Gate if they need information and directions. The Spirit Gate is the primary gate and is located on Missouri Hwy 23, approximately 2.5 miles south of Highway 50. The Spirit Gate operates on a 24/7 basis. The Arnold gate enters and exits directly through the city of Knob Noster. The Lemay Gate is Whiteman's southern entrance and serves as the commercial access gate. The Arnold and Lemay gates are usually open 0600-1800, Monday thru Friday.
Whiteman AFB currently has 100% ID check. Visitor passes can be issued at the Visitor's Center located at the Spirit gate. Please contact the Visitor's Center at 660-687-2834 for information pertaining to required documentation for visitors.
All personnel should report to their squadron Commander's Support Section (CSS) when they arrive.
Contact the Visitor's Center if you need additional assistance, 660-687-2834 or 687-7959.
People driving to Whiteman normally approach the area on Interstate 70 or U.S. Highway 50.
Driving from the East
Those approaching the base from the east on I-70 should take the Sedalia exit off I-70 onto U.S. Highway 65 south. In Sedalia, 65 intersects with 50. Turn west on 50 and drive approximately 20 miles to the Whiteman AFB exit. Turn left (south) onto State Highway 23 south and drive approximately two miles to the Spirit Gate entrance to the base, located on the left.
Driving from the West
For those approaching the base from the west on I-70, take the Warrensburg exit off I-70 onto State Highway 13 (MO-13) south towards Warrensburg. Follow State Highway 13 (MO-13) or Hwy 13 Bypass until it intersects with US Hwy 50. Turn east onto US Hwy 50, and drive to Missouri Hwy 23 south. Travel two miles south on Missouri Hwy 23 to reach the Spirit Gate, located on the left.
There is no base operator, however, there is an automated phone directory at 660-687-1110 with connection to many base offices and services. You are also encouraged to download the AF Connect App - available through your smartphone app store and select Whiteman as a favorite. Other sources of information include the Whiteman Facebook page and the official Whiteman AFB website at https://www.whiteman.af.mil/.
Release 2024.03.06.1