The 131st Bomb Wing is a unit of the Missouri Air National Guard, which is part of the United States Air Force (USAF). The wing’s primary mission involves strategic bomber operations, though it also supports contingency response and homeland defense missions. It operates out of Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri. Established on August 16, 1952, the 131st Bomb Wing was initially equipped with B-47 Stratojet bombers before transitioning to B-52 Stratofortresses in 1963. The unit is composed of approximately 1,800 airmen and operates under Air Combat Command (ACC) when not called up for federal active duty.