509th Operations Group
The 509th Operations Group is the flying component of the United States Air Force's 509th Bomb Wing and operates and trains crews for the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The 509th Operations Group is an active United States Air Force operational group based at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. It forms the flying component of the 509th Bomb Wing and is responsible for operating, training, and supporting the Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber force. The group includes the 393rd Bomb Squadron, the operational B-2 squadron; the 13th Bomb Squadron, which provides formal B-2 training and operates T-38 Talon companion trainers; and the 509th Operations Support Squadron, which coordinates essential airfield and operational activities. Although the present-day organization was activated in 1993 during the Air Force's transition to the Objective Wing structure, its lineage reaches back to the 509th Composite Group, established at Wendover Field, Utah, in December 1944. That wartime unit was created specifically to prepare for the delivery of atomic weapons. In August 1945, its B-29 aircraft conducted the atomic bombing missions against Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The group's historic lineage subsequently continued through the postwar 509th Bombardment Group and its role in the early Strategic Air Command nuclear force. After returning from the Pacific, the group was based principally at Roswell Army Air Field, New Mexico. It became one of the first organizations assigned to Strategic Air Command in 1946 and was redesignated the 509th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy, before later becoming a medium bomb group. It operated aircraft including specially configured B-29s, B-50 Superfortresses, and KB-29 aerial tankers. The group remained in the United States during the Korean War and was inactivated in 1952 as the Air Force reorganized around a wing-based structure. The modern 509th Operations Group was redesignated and activated in 1993 as part of the reorganization of the 509th Bomb Wing. The first B-2 Spirit assigned to the unit arrived at Whiteman in December 1993. The group subsequently helped establish the B-2 as a long-range, precision strike platform capable of operating from the continental United States and from forward locations. Its aircraft participated in NATO's Operation Allied Force in 1999, the opening air campaign of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. B-2 missions from Whiteman demonstrated the ability to fly intercontinental combat sorties, while later forward deployments, including to Guam and Diego Garcia, expanded operational flexibility. The group is not a commercial brand and does not sell products or services. Its public identity is institutional and military: the 509th Operations Group represents the operational, training, and support functions associated with the 509th Bomb Wing's B-2 mission. Its historical significance derives from both the atomic mission of its predecessor organization and the modern employment of stealth bombers in conventional and strategic deterrence roles.
History
The lineage of the 509th Operations Group begins with the 509th Composite Group, established at Wendover Field, Utah, on 17 December 1944. Created under Second Air Force, the group had a singular purpose: preparing aircraft, crews, and procedures for atomic-bomb delivery. It deployed to North Field on Tinian in the Mariana Islands in 1945, where it operated B-29 Superfortresses with logistical support from the 313th Bombardment Wing while its operations were directed through United States Army Air Forces headquarters. On 6 August 1945, the group's B-29 Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, Bockscar conducted the mission against Nagasaki. These missions made the 509th one of the most historically consequential air units of the Second World War. The group returned to the United States in late 1945 and was based at Roswell Army Air Field, New Mexico, apart from a short assignment to Fort Worth Army Air Field. In 1946 it joined Strategic Air Command and became one of the command's first assigned organizations. It also supported Operation Crossroads, the postwar atomic-weapons test series at Bikini Atoll, through aircraft and personnel deployments. The unit was redesignated the 509th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy, in July 1946 and became the combat component of the 509th Bomb Wing in 1947. It was redesignated a medium bomb group in 1948 and transitioned from B-29 aircraft to B-50D Superfortresses, while also acquiring an aerial-refueling role through KB-29 aircraft. During the Korean War, the group remained in the United States as part of the strategic bomber deterrent. Its squadrons were progressively assigned directly to the wing, and the group was inactivated on 16 June 1952 during the Air Force's adoption of the Tri-Deputate organization. The 509th Operations Group was redesignated on 12 March 1993 and activated at Whiteman Air Force Base on 15 July 1993 under the reorganized 509th Bomb Wing. The group assumed responsibility for the wing's flying squadrons and operational support functions. The first B-2 Spirit arrived in December 1993, initiating the unit's modern stealth-bomber era. The 393rd Bomb Squadron became the operational B-2 squadron, while the 13th Bomb Squadron developed the formal training mission. In 1996, B-2 aircraft conducted successful tests using GPS-aided precision weapons at the Nellis range, helping establish the aircraft's conventional operational capability. The B-2 entered combat during Operation Allied Force in 1999, flying long-distance sorties from Missouri against targets in Southeastern Europe. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the aircraft participated in the opening of Operation Enduring Freedom, flying missions to Afghanistan that lasted more than 40 hours. In 2003, B-2 aircraft took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom, operating from both Whiteman and a forward location. Subsequent deployments, including a sustained presence in Guam in 2005, demonstrated the group's role in global bomber operations and strategic deterrence. The group remains stationed at Whiteman and continues to support B-2 operations, training, and airfield coordination. Its history combines the nuclear mission of the Second World War and early Cold War with the modern requirement for long-range, precision, stealth-enabled conventional strike capability.
- 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom
[1]B-2 aircraft supported the opening coalition air campaign against Iraq from home and forward bases.
- 2001
Operation Enduring Freedom
[1]B-2 aircraft led early United States air strikes in Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks.
- 1999
First B-2 combat campaign
[1]The group generated B-2 combat sorties during Operation Allied Force in the Balkans.
- 1993
Modern operations group activated
[1]The 509th Operations Group was activated at Whiteman Air Force Base as part of the Objective Wing reorganization.
- 1952
Postwar group inactivated
[1]The 509th Bombardment Group was inactivated on 16 June during the transition to a wing-based organizational structure.
- 1946
Assigned to Strategic Air Command
[1]The group became one of the early organizations assigned to Strategic Air Command.
- 1945
Atomic missions against Hiroshima and Nagasaki
[1]B-29 aircraft of the 509th Composite Group conducted the atomic bombing missions against Hiroshima on 6 August and Nagasaki on 9 August.
- 1944
509th Composite Group established
[1]The predecessor organization was established at Wendover Field, Utah, on 17 December 1944 to prepare for atomic-bomb delivery missions.
Products and positioning
A United States Air Force operational organization centered on stealth-bomber employment, B-2 aircrew training, global strike capability, and strategic deterrence.
stealth strategic bomber · 1993
B-2 Spirit
The B-2 Spirit is the group's principal operational aircraft. Its flying-wing design, low-observable characteristics, long range, and precision-weapons capability allow the 509th to conduct missions against heavily defended targets and to project airpower over intercontinental distances. The 393rd Bomb Squadron operates the group's combat B-2 fleet, while the 13th Bomb Squadron uses B-2 aircraft for formal qualification, requalification, and instructor training.
supersonic trainer aircraft
Northrop T-38 Talon
The T-38 Talon serves as a companion trainer within the 13th Bomb Squadron's training system. It supports preparation and continuation of bomber aircrew skills alongside B-2 instruction. The squadron also manages simulator-based training through weapons-systems trainers.
World War II heavy bomber · 1944
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortresses were operated by the 509th Composite Group during its atomic mission in 1945. Enola Gay and Bockscar conducted the Hiroshima and Nagasaki missions. Postwar variants and specially configured aircraft continued to support the predecessor group's nuclear role.
Cold War bomber · 1949
Boeing B-50 Superfortress
The 509th's postwar predecessor transitioned to B-50D aircraft after its B-29s were transferred. The piston-powered B-50 provided the group with a medium-bomber platform for the early Strategic Air Command nuclear mission.
Controversies
1999
Belgrade Chinese embassy bombing
During Operation Allied Force, B-2 aircraft struck the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, killing three people and causing extensive damage. The attack was attributed to incorrect intelligence coordinates identifying the embassy as the intended target. Investigations did not assign responsibility to the aircrew or the United States Air Force.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq · United States
B-2 aircraft participated in the opening coalition air campaign against Iraq, operating from Whiteman and a forward location.
Outcome. The operation marked the B-2's simultaneous use from home and forward bases and reinforced its precision-strike role.
- 2001Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan · United States
Following the September 11 attacks, B-2 aircraft associated with the group led early strikes in Afghanistan. Aircraft flew from Missouri and used Diego Garcia for crew and logistical support.
Outcome. The missions demonstrated exceptionally long-duration bomber operations from the United States.
- 1999Operation Allied Force
Serbia · Kosovo · United States
B-2 aircraft from Whiteman conducted long-range NATO combat sorties during the Kosovo conflict. The aircraft delivered precision munitions from the continental United States and demonstrated the operational value of stealth and global reach.
Outcome. The campaign established the B-2's combat role in sustained conventional operations.
Brand decisions
1996
GPS-aided precision weapons testingProduct launchBackground
The Air Force tested the B-2's ability to deliver GPS-aided weapons accurately from high altitude.
Action taken
B-2 aircraft conducted inert and live GBU-36 release tests at the Nellis range.
Aftermath
The results supported the announcement that the B-2 would attain limited conventional operational capability in early 1997.
1993
Adoption of the B-2 operational missionStrategyBackground
The reorganization of the 509th Bomb Wing created the modern operations group and assigned it responsibility for the new B-2 bomber mission.
Action taken
The group was activated at Whiteman Air Force Base and organized around operational, training, and support squadrons.
Aftermath
The 509th became the Air Force's central B-2 operational and training organization.
Sources1 sources
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