Latest news with #F-22s
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
White House celebrations: Trump to honour pilots who 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear sites on July 4
White House celebrations: Trump to honour pilots who 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear sites on July 4 US Air Force pilots involved in the recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities will be among the honored guests at the White House's Independence Day celebrations this Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Monday. The July 4 event will include a military flyover featuring B-2 Spirit bombers — the same aircraft used in the operation targeting uranium enrichment facilities at Fordo and Natanz earlier this month. 'President Trump looks forward to celebrating our nation's founding on Friday in the capital,' Leavitt said in a statement. 'As part of the festivities, the power of America's Air Force will be demonstrated in a flyover featuring F-22s, B-2s, and F-35s — the same aircraft used in the successful strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure", reported CBS. Personnel from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, where the B-2 bombers are stationed, will also attend. Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks during the event. Trump had first mentioned plans to host the pilots during an appearance on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo last weekend. In the aftermath of the operation, Trump has pushed back against an initial Pentagon assessment that the strikes would delay Iran's nuclear program by only a few months. Both Trump and defense secretary Pete Hegseth have claimed that the damage inflicted has set Iran's program back by years — or even decades.
UPI
2 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
B-2 bomber pilots to be honored at White House Fourth of July celebration
The U.S. pilots of the B-2 bombers, that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities this month, will join President Donald Trump at the White House on the Fourth of July. The event will also feature a flyover by B-2 Spirit bombers, which struck Iran's uranium enrichment sites at Fordo and Natanz in Operation Midnight Hammer. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo June 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. pilots of the B-2 bombers, that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities this month, will be honored by President Donald Trump at the White House on the Fourth of July. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced their attendance Monday. Friday's celebration will also feature a flyover by B-2 Spirit bombers, the same jets that struck Iran's uranium enrichment sites at Fordo and Natanz in Operation Midnight Hammer. "President Trump looks forward to celebrating our nation's founding on Friday in the nation's capital. To join in the celebration, the might of America's Air Force will conduct a flyover featuring our state-of-the-art F-22s, B-2s and F-35s -- the same air capabilities used for the decisive and successful strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities," Leavitt said in a statement. President Trump is scheduled to speak at the event. Additional personnel from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, where the bombers are based, are also expected to attend. On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that plans were in the works to honor the pilots. "Yes, they're going to come to the White House," Trump said. "These people flew 36 hours in a small space, a big plane, but a small space mostly occupied by bombs, and they flew so brilliantly." According to the Trump administration, the 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs and long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles "completely and fully obliterated" Iran's nuclear program. The Pentagon said seven B-2 bombers dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs, while other B-2's flew over the Pacific as decoys. The bombers refueled multiple times while in flight. U.S. officials have pushed back on a leaked preliminary report from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency that said the strikes had only set back Iran's nuclear development by a few months. Iran has acknowledged that the nuclear sites sustained "serious and significant damage" from the strikes.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'Talented' Brit pilot, 24, found dead at US Navy base with shotgun wound
British pilot Costas Georgellis, 24, was tragically found dead at a US Navy base in Texas - as his family and friends have paid emotional tributes following his death A "talented" pilot who was discovered dead at a US Navy suffered a fatal shotgun wound to his head, an inquest has heard. Brit Costas Georgellis, 24, was learning to be a fighter pilot at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Texas, before he died on April 29. Assistant coroner for West London Richard Furniss believes his death has the 'hallmarks of suicide'. Tributes have since flooded in for the Loughborough University graduate, who has been described as "one in a million" by his friends. His loved ones paid their respects at his funeral which was given full military honours in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. His mother and father said his 'infectious laugh and kind heart made the world a better place'. The tribute, which was posted online, said: 'He lived an amazing life, full of adventure, always pursuing his dreams with determination and bravery. "He will never be forgotten. We invite all of those whose life he touched to share their memories and photos below for family and friends to cherish.' His university hockey team paid tribute on social media and said he was a "cherished part of our club", reports The Sun. They said: 'We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our former teammate, committee member and friend, Costas Georgellis. Costas was a cherished part of our club, known for his kindness, welcoming spirit and of course his backhand hit through his legs.' His close pal Morgan said: "Costas very quickly became a very close friend of mine at university after he came back from his placement at QinetiQ and we began sharing classes. I have countless great memories with him, from being in his first flight after achieving his pilot's license, watching the spitfire take off beside us, to standing out in the pouring rain at the international air tattoo with the F-22s roaring past and shaking us to our core." He added: "He had a way of creating this relaxed, carefree energy that I'm not sure I'll ever find again. It is rare that you find anyone without a bad bone in their body; someone who you knew without a doubt would always have your back no matter what. "Costas was that person. A great friend, a talented man, and someone who I will always miss not being in my corner." The inquest was adjourned until the US authorities send further documents and records. A fundraiser has been launched to support mental health charity, Mind. You can donate here.
Sky News AU
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Once the inner wall is breached, it's all over': Mike Pezzullo reveals devastating impact of US strike on Iran's Fordow nuclear facility
Former Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo has offered a detailed technical breakdown of the United States' recent airstrike on Iran's heavily fortified Fordow nuclear site, revealing how precision-guided bunker-busting bombs were used to penetrate up to 100 metres of rock and concrete. Speaking to Sky News Australia, Pezzullo explained that seven B-2 stealth bombers — the only aircraft capable of carrying the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) — were deployed in the mission, delivering 14 of the 13.5-tonne bombs designed to destroy deeply buried infrastructure. Pezzullo explained that the precision-guided munitions were dropped from high altitude, creating either a single deep shaft or multiple entry points to punch through to the vast subterranean chambers housing uranium enrichment centrifuges. 'They just keep firing them in,' he said. 'Precision-guided, so they'll go into the same hole or create multiple shafts. Once the inner wall is breached, it's all over. 'That compressive energy just destroys everything that's got oxygen in it.' According to Pezzullo, once the MOP reaches the internal halls beneath the mountain, the sheer force of the explosion makes survival or salvage of the facility virtually impossible. 'Well, the speculation and I've got to be careful here because when I was in government, I actually read all the intelligence reports but that is that you're looking at about 60 to 80 metres of protection, and then a 20-metre hall,' he said. 'Once a 2.5-tonne explosive gets into a large hall which has obviously open space and then corridors and ventilation shafts, it's all over at that point. 'In order to ensure that it's a decisive kill, they would have put a number of others in through the same hole until they get through to the cavernous halls where the centrifuges were.' The B-2s involved in the mission flew east from their base in Missouri, crossing the Atlantic and navigating through the Mediterranean. Pezzullo said it appeared likely that the UK was notified ahead of the strike, potentially to allow access to its base in Cyprus in case of emergency. As part of the strike package, fighter jets - possibly including F-22s, F-35s, and electronic attack aircraft - cleared the airspace ahead of the bombers, targeting any Iranian systems that might have posed a threat but principally attacking the deeply buried infrastructure at Fordow.' A full damage assessment is still underway. While some attention has turned to whether Australia was briefed or involved, Pezzullo made clear the lack of consultation was not unusual - and likely a result of the US choosing to fly east. 'If they'd gone west, I think we'd be having a very different conversation,' he explained, noting that previous missions involving B-2 bombers over Yemen took a western route that may have required Australian airspace or logistical support. Pezzullo added that with US military build-up continuing in Northern Australia will eventually need a clearer policy position on how and when it supports allied strikes - not necessarily in executing them, but in providing refuelling, overflight clearance, or basing access. 'I think the government's going to have to come up with a new policy framework to say not only do we concur in the American actions that have taken place, but we were prior notified and we provided support,' he said.
Axios
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
U.S. used 14 bunker-busters, 7 B-2 bombers in "Midnight Hammer" strikes on Iran
A surprise U.S. military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities involved more than 125 aircraft and 75 precision-guided weapons. The operation, dubbed Midnight Hammer, produced the longest B-2 Spirit mission since 2001 and the first real-world use of 30,000 pound bunker-busting bombs. Why it matters: The U.S. again finds itself fighting in the greater Middle East. This time, it's alongside Israel and against Iran. Here are some of the weapons used in the operation, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, who briefed reporters Sunday morning: Seven stealthy B-2 bombers and dozens of refueling aircraft that worked in tandem to execute an over 30-hour round-trip flight from Missouri to Iran. Fourth- and fifth-generation fighters that cleared the way for the airstrikes. (The Pentagon would not disclose makes and models, but a public graphic depicted what looks like F-22s.) One submarine that fired more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles. Fourteen GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, the world's most powerful non-nuclear bombs. Zoom in: Satellite imagery shared by Maxar shows several large holes or craters at Fordow, effectively an underground nuclear fortress. The area is also blanketed in dirt and ash. What they're saying: "Our initial assessment is ... that all of our precision munitions struck where we wanted them to strike and had the desired effect," Hegseth told reporters. The intrigue: Caine said Iran was caught flatfooted. He was unaware of any shots fired at U.S. warplanes as they entered and exited the region.
