Whiteman Air Force Base (ICAO KSZL) is an active military air base in Missouri, United States, operated by the US Air Force. It has 1 runway (3,780 m). Home to the 509th Bomb Wing, the 442nd Fighter Wing, the 131st Bomb Wing, the 303rd Fighter Squadron and 2 other units, flying A-10 Thunderbolt II, B-2 Spirit, UH-60 Black Hawk.
| Operating Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Location | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Status | Active |
| Usage | Military only |
| Year built | 1942 |
| Operating Organization | US Air Force |
| Units & aircraft |
509th Bomb Wing442nd Fighter Wing131st Bomb Wing303rd Fighter Squadron · A-10 Thunderbolt II13th Bomb Squadron · B-2 Spirit1st Battalion · UH-60 Black Hawk
|
| Coordinates | 38.7303°N, -93.5486°E |
| Elevation | 265 m (869 ft) |
| IATA code | SZL |
| ICAO code | KSZL |
| Runways |
01/19 · 3,780 m (12,402 ft) · Concrete
|
| Website | www.whiteman.af.mil |
Whiteman Air Force Base is situated near Knob Noster, Missouri. The installation was established in 1942 as Sedalia Glider Base, serving as a training site for WACO glider pilots. It was renamed Sedalia Army Air Field in November 1942 and transitioned to inactive status in December 1947. In August 1951, the site was reactivated as Sedalia Air Force Base. The 340th Bombardment Wing assumed control in 1952, operating B-47 Stratojet and KC-97 Stratofreighter aircraft. On December 3, 1955, the base was renamed after 2nd Lieutenant George A. Whiteman, who was killed during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
In 1963, the base transitioned to an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) mission with the activation of the 351st Strategic Missile Wing. The wing operated Minuteman I and Minuteman II ICBMs across an underground launch network in the vicinity. The 351st Missile Wing was inactivated in July 1995 following the phase-out of the Minuteman II system.
Air Force Global Strike Command currently operates the base. The 509th Bomb Wing is the host unit and operates B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and T-38A Talon trainers. The 131st Bomb Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard also operates B-2 Spirit aircraft from the installation. Resident units include the Air Force Reserve Command’s 442nd Fighter Wing, which operates A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, and the 20th Attack Squadron, which operates MQ-9A Reaper aircraft. The Missouri Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment, is stationed there with UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The United States Navy maintains a presence via Coastal Riverine Squadron 11. The base occupies 5,566 acres and hosts the operational B-2 Spirit force, supporting nuclear deterrent and global strike roles.
The US Air Force flew its last A-10C sortie from Davis-Monthan on 29 July 2026. GlobalMilitary.net inventories show the fleet has fallen from 287 aircraft in 2020 to 162, and the service's own schedule takes it to zero by 30 September 2030.
A bipartisan House bill introduced on July 21, 2026 would set a floor of 126 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs through fiscal 2033 and bar further retirements until a certified close air support replacement is flying.
