509th Bomb Wing (U.S. Air Force) Black Coffee Mug

The 509th Bomb Wing is a major command of the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Established on July 1, 1943, during World War II, this unit initially operated Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers. The 509th Bomb Wing is most famously associated with the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb, specifically 'Fat Man,' which was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Today, it primarily operates the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The unit's mission includes global power projection, irregular warfare, and strategic deterrence.