 "The GBU-57, or the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, at Whiteman Air Base in Missouri. This is the only weapon that could take out the Fordow nuclear plant. File image/AP")
When the United States sought to hit Iran’s most secure nuclear enrichment site at Fordow, it went with the most obvious choice of Bunker Buster bombs that can only be carried by the B-2 Bombers.
These stealth bombers are only housed at one facility in the US– the Whiteman Air Force Base. Here’s a look at what we know about the base.
Home to 509th Bomb Wing
Sixty miles southeast of Kansas City, amid the rolling, wooded hills of west-central Missouri, Whiteman Air Force Base serves as a key military installation with unique strategic significance.
Home to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman is the only base globally that operates and maintains the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, a centerpiece of the United States Air Force’s conventional and nuclear combat force, according to the base’s website.
The B-2 Spirit bombers operated by the 509th Bomb Wing can deliver both nuclear and conventional munitions, providing unmatched flexibility and reach in strategic bombing and deterrence missions. This dual capability allows the United States to project air power rapidly to virtually any location worldwide, supporting a range of military strategies.
Critical to the US nuclear triad
Whiteman Air Force Base is integral to the US nuclear triad, offering a credible and resilient nuclear deterrent designed to influence adversaries’ decision-making and enhance national security. Bombers based at Whiteman can respond swiftly to threats, making it a crucial component of America’s global strike capability.
Role in historic missions
Throughout its operational history, Whiteman’s 509th Bomb Wing has participated in major military engagements, including Operation Allied Force in Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each deployment has demonstrated the unit’s rapid response capability and global combat reach.
The advanced technology and specialised mission at Whiteman Air Force Base position it prominently within the broader context of US national defence strategy, ensuring ongoing readiness for current and emerging global threats.