The B-2 stealth bombers that dropped massive bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s nuclear sites have returned to their home base in Missouri. According to the Associated Press, seven B-2 Spirit aircraft landed on Sunday at Whiteman Air Force Base, located around 73 miles southeast of Kansas City. This base houses the 509th Bomb Wing — the only US unit equipped to fly B-2 bombers.
On a clear but breezy afternoon, the first four aircraft made a loop around the base before approaching the runway from the north. A second group of three bombers followed and landed within the next ten minutes.
TRUMP PRAISES US MILITARY, CONFIRMS B-2 RETURNS HOME SAFELY
Trump congratulated the US military, saying, “There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
He also confirmed that the B-2 stealth bombers used in the operation had landed safely back in Missouri. “The GREAT B-2 pilots have just landed, safely, in Missouri. Thank you for a job well done!!!” he posted.
The day before, the B-2s had been part of a wide-ranging plan involving deception and decoys to deliver what American military leaders believe is a knockout blow to a nuclear program that Israel views as an existential threat and has been pummelling for more than a week.
The B-2s were part of a bigger strategy involving deception and decoys to deal what American military leaders consider a devastating blow to a nuclear program that Israel views as an existential threat.
US officials said Iran neither detected the inbound fusillade, nor mustered a shot at the stealthy American jets, reported news agency AP.
OPERATION MIDNIGHT HAMMER
Dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, the mission carried out a “precision strike” that “devastated the Iranian nuclear program,” US officials said, even as they acknowledged an assessment was ongoing. For its part, Iran denied that any significant damage had been done, and the Islamic Republic pledged to retaliate.
Earlier on Sunday, Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that seven of the aircraft flew east from the base to Iran to bomb three nuclear sites at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. The mission was the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history.
Caine stated during a briefing at the Pentagon on Sunday that the B-2 bombers were equipped with two GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, or MOPs. Tomahawk missiles from a US submarine targeted the Isfahan site, and 14 MOPs were dropped on two target areas at Fordo and Natanz over a 25-minute period, he said.
Another group of B-2s flew west over the Pacific to act as decoys, Caine added.
“More than 125 US aircraft participated in this mission,” Caine said, including the B-2 bombers, fighter jets, refuelling planes and surveillance aircraft.
Satellite photos taken the next day reveal a number of large craters or holes on the ridge above the subterranean complex at Fordo. Maxar Technologies’ images at Natanz and Isfahan reveal widespread damage to the buildings, including a fuel enrichment plant.
With inputs from AP