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First Post
4 days ago
- General
- First Post
Catnaps, a chemical toilet and more: Inside America's 37-hour B-2 bomber mission into Iran and back
Flying a 37-hour bombing mission to Iran, B-2 pilots faced extreme physical and mental stress. They prepared with sleep simulations, strict nutritional plans and chemical assistance — using sleeping pills pre-mission and amphetamines during flight. Inside a cramped cockpit, rest came in shifts, with only cots, 'piddle packs' and personal grit for support read more Seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from the United States Air Force embarked on a 37-hour round-trip journey from Missouri's Whiteman Air Force Base to Iranian territory and back. The mission, targeting three fortified nuclear-related facilities in Iran, marked not just a display of military precision but also of extreme endurance. The mission's scale was enormous. Over 125 aircraft were mobilised, including multiple bombers, surveillance platforms, fighter escorts and aerial refuelling tankers. Of the seven B-2s involved in the strike, each aircraft carried two crew members, executing coordinated bomb runs within a tight 30-minute window over their targets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Although officials have not publicly confirmed specific mission details, parallels can be drawn with earlier long-range bomber operations such as the 44-hour sortie flown by now-retired US Colonel Melvin G Deaile in 2001 during the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom. Describing the Iran raid as 'an incredible feat,' CNN quoted Deaile who highlighted the uniqueness of seven B-2s operating over target areas simultaneously and executing independent bombing trajectories. What goes into a 37-hour B-2 mission Operating a B-2 Spirit over such long distances involves meticulous pre-flight conditioning for pilots. Crews assigned to missions of this length typically undergo days, sometimes weeks, of physical and mental preparation. These include regulated sleep cycles, nutritional planning, and simulator training. Pilots are also trained to manage digestion and hydration — factors that directly affect alertness and comfort in a cockpit with minimal amenities. 'The flight doc did have what we call 'go pills' authorised for use — amphetamines,' Deaile recalled of his own Afghanistan mission, though he acknowledged policy may have changed since then. He also described taking 'sleeping pills to help them rest in the days leading up to the bombings.' Retired Lieutenant General Steve Basham, a former B-2 pilot who flew combat sorties during the 1999 Kosovo conflict, confirmed that the physical strain is more than incidental. 'We go through sleep studies, we actually go through nutritional education to be able to teach each one of us: one, what wakes us up and then what helps us go to sleep,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Basham's preferred inflight meal was as unassuming as the mission was demanding: 'turkey sandwiches on wheat bread, no cheese,' to minimise digestion issues. The compact design of the B-2 limits crew mobility. Each cockpit includes a makeshift cot tucked behind the seats where one pilot can rest while the other remains alert. Pilots are required to be in their seats during takeoff, midair refuelling, time over hostile territory and landing — leaving little opportunity for extended rest. Even bodily functions require creative solutions. The cockpit includes a chemical toilet without partitions, leading Deaile to explain, 'Privacy is the guy looks the other way.' To manage hydration needs, pilots drink around a bottle of water per hour and use 'piddle packs,' absorbent bags designed to contain urine. Deaile and his fellow pilot once amused themselves by calculating the cumulative weight of their used packs midflight — one of the few ways to pass time on a multi-day sortie. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How the B-2 was able to stay in the air for 37 hours Despite the B-2's design capability to fly more than 6,000 nautical miles without refuelling, most long-duration missions necessitate multiple midair refuellings. This involves delicate manoeuvring at high altitude and in close formation with a tanker aircraft, whose refuelling boom must be blindly aligned with the bomber from behind. Pilots can't see the boom; instead, they rely on illuminated reference markers and practiced routines. 'Refuelling is done blind,' Basham explained. 'At night, especially on moonless flights, the task becomes what Basham called 'inherently dangerous.'' Fatigue exacerbates the difficulty of these manoeuvres, particularly on the return leg of such an extended operation. The pilots' concentration must remain razor-sharp despite dwindling energy levels and erratic sleep. 'The adrenaline goes away,' Basham said. 'You try to get a little bit of rest and you still got that one last refuelling.' Nevertheless, the prospect of returning to US airspace after hours over hostile terrain offers motivation. 'The one thing that's going to lift them up is they're going to enter the coast of the United States again and they're going to get that 'welcome home' from a US controller,' Basham added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The first combat use of US' most powerful bomb Saturday's operation marked a significant moment in US military history with the first-ever combat deployment of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). Weighing 30,000 pounds, the bomb is designed to destroy hardened underground facilities, such as the fortified installations reportedly targeted in Iran. Only the B-2 is capable of carrying these weapons due to their size and weight. Each of the seven B-2s in the raid is believed to have carried two of these munitions, totalling over a dozen MOPs dropped in the operation. Basham, reflecting on this unprecedented payload, remarked, 'It'll be interesting to hear from the pilots,' referencing the unusual shift in aircraft weight that occurs after releasing such enormous bombs. Despite the increased firepower and operational intensity, Pentagon officials reported no direct engagement from Iranian defence systems. Unlike earlier combat zones where B-2s flew amidst anti-aircraft fire or visible missile trails, this operation proceeded without a single shot being fired at either the bombers or their F-35 escorts. The human touch behind a $2 billion aircraft Despite its cutting-edge technology — including stealth capabilities that reduce detection by radar, heat, and sound — the success of any B-2 mission ultimately rests on its crew. The aircraft's two-person team assumes responsibilities once distributed across larger crews on older platforms like the B-1B or B-52. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The B-2's fly-by-wire control system, once lag-prone in its earlier iterations, has seen software improvements over the decades. These enhancements have made precision flight and refueling operations more responsive, but the human element remains irreplaceable. 'Our pilots make it look easy, but it's far from easy,' Basham noted. The complexity of a mission like this one extends beyond the cockpit. Hundreds of personnel on the ground worldwide are involved in mission planning, logistics, and maintenance. From simulator operators and intelligence analysts to aircraft technicians and mission briefers, a globe-spanning support infrastructure undergirds every moment in the air. What will replace the B-2 Spirit bombers Though the B-2 Spirit remains an elite symbol of US airpower, its era is winding down. The US Air Force plans to replace the B-2 and B-1 fleets with at least 100 B-21 Raiders over the coming decades. Still, with a per-hour operating cost of $65,000, the B-2 continues to deliver what other platforms cannot — deep-penetration stealth capability over great distances. The 37-hour Iran mission demonstrated the extraordinary resilience of its pilots. As Deaile reflected from his own record-setting flight decades ago: 'We just knew that if the president made the call, we were going to fly.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pat Tillman doesn't belong on Arizona's 'most iconic sports figure' list
Sports fans have favorites. We make no apologies. We have favorite teams. Favorite players. Favorite sports. And we love to make our case for the best player or team or game or play to fellow sports fans who (we say) lack our insight and discernment. It's fun. With that in mind, the sports department at The Arizona Republic put together a bracket challenge for local fans in which the various rounds lead to a fan-selected 'most iconic sports figure' in Arizona. The final two contenders in the bracket are Larry Fitzgerald and Pat Tillman. The contest goes to June 16 and, if I were a betting man, I'd put my money on Tillman. But he doesn't belong there. Pat Tillman is NOT the most iconic sports figure in Arizona. He's more than that. I'd like to believe that most of us know the basics of Tillman's life story. He was killed by friendly fire in 2004 while serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan. He and his brother Kevin joined the service together. At the time, Tilman gave up a $3.6 million pro football contract with the Arizona Cardinals, while Kevin abandoned an opportunity to play professional baseball. The brothers were deployed to both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. They were drawn to service, but they also were realistic about the politics of war. In Jon Krakauer's book on Tillman, 'Where Men Win Glory,' there are excerpts from Tillman's journals. Not long after he and Kevin joined the Army and before they were deployed, Pat wrote, 'Were our case for war even somewhat justifiable, no doubt many of our traditional allies … would be praising our initiative … However, every leader in the world, with a few exceptions, is crying foul, as is the voice of much of the people. 'This … leads me to believe that we have little or no justification other than our imperial whim. Of course Nub (his nickname for Kevin) & I have … willingly allowed ourselves to be pawns in this game and will do our job whether we agree with it or not. All we ask is that it is duly noted that we harbor no illusions of virtue.' Opinion: Pat Tillman has a legacy. It's called honesty We could use a guy like that these days. Not on the football field. Just … in the world. Tillman was a critical thinker, a realist. He'd earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Arizona State University, graduating summa cum laude in 3½ years with a 3.84 grade point average. He studied history. He was a fan of the philosopher, linguist and author Noam Chomsky. Pat Tillman wasn't a jock who occasionally read a book. He was a thoughtful, socially aware and politically conscientious guy who also happened to play football. He would have been 50 years old in 2026. I wonder how middle-aged Tillman would have lived the tenet that a younger version of himself wrote, saying, 'It seems that more often than not we know the right decision long before it's actually made. Somewhere inside, we hear a voice, and intuitively know the answer to any problem or situation we encounter. Our voice leads us in the direction of the person we wish to become, but it is up to us whether or not to follow.' I wonder what that guy would have brought to today's world, believing, as he did, that 'passion is what makes life interesting, what ignites our soul, drives our curiosity, fuels our love and carries our friendships, stimulates our intellect, and pushes our limits. In my life I want to create passion in my own life and with those I care for, I want to feel, experience, and live every emotion. I will suffer through the bad for the heights of the good.' Iconic? Absolutely. But not because of sports. Reach Montini at Like this column? Get more opinions in your email inbox by signing up for our free opinions newsletter, which publishes Monday through Friday. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pat Tillman is iconic, but not because of football | Opinion
News18
06-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan's Jacobabad Airbase Under Repair After Damage In Indian Strikes, Satellite Image Out
Last Updated: A newly surfaced satellite image reveals that a hangar at Pakistan's Jacobabad airbase—targeted by India during last month's Operation Sindoor—is now covered with tarpaulin A newly surfaced satellite image reveals that a hangar at Pakistan's Jacobabad airbase—targeted by India during last month's Operation Sindoor—is now covered with tarpaulin, possibly indicating ongoing repair or restoration efforts. The Jacobabad airbase, which is located in the northern part of Pakistan's Sindh province, sustained damage consistent with a direct hit, as confirmed by Indian defence officials as well as satellite images released by Maxar Technologies in May. Geo-intelligence expert Damien Symon shared high-resolution satellite images from The Intel Lab showing that a hangar at Pakistan's Jacobabad airbase, damaged as seen in May 12 imagery, was covered with tarpaulin by June 1—indicating possible repair work. Recent imagery from Jacobabad Airbase, Pakistan indicates that the hangar damaged in the Indian airstrike is now covered with tarpaulin/some other covering possibly signaling repair activity/restoration is now underway — Damien Symon (@detresfa_) June 6, 2025 Formerly a key hub for NATO operations during Operation Enduring Freedom—the official name for the US-led Global War on Terror—Jacobabad Airbase holds strategic importance for Pakistan. The base houses some of the Pakistan Air Force's most advanced assets, including the latest JF-17 Block II jets, various F-16 Fighting Falcon variants, and Italian-made Leonardo AW139 helicopters, which are operated by the 88 Search and Rescue Squadron. Earlier, a similar satellite image emerged showing that a hangar in Pakistan's Bholari airbase, which was struck by India during Operation Sindoor last month, is now covered in tarpaulin. On May 10, India carried out strikes on 11 military sites across Pakistan, including airbases in Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skardu, Bholari, and Jacobabad. Satellite imagery captured before and after the strikes on Jacobabad's Shahbaz airbase and the Bholari airbase reveals significant damage, contradicting Pakistan's claims of 'minimal damage." The strikes were part of Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Interim Birmingham deputy chief of patrol operations appointed
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham Police Department's new interim deputy chief of patrol operations was revealed Monday. Cpt. Raymond Cochran has worked for the BPD for 36 years, according to the city. He has been the commander of the narcotics division, crimes against property division, tactical operations division and south and west precincts. Brighton City Councilman Jerome McMullin charged with releasing video of double homicide during active investigation He recently served as the acting deputy chief of patrol operations. Cochran's appointment from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin comes after deputy chief Onree Pruitt retired. Cochran, a Miles College graduate, is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. The city also announced that Edmond Hanks, who was appointed interim assistant chief of police in November, retired Friday. The vacant post will not be filled immediately, according to the city. Michael Pickett has worked as chief of police since April 1 after assuming an interim title in November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
28-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
SEAL Team Six alum named advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff: DoD
A former member of SEAL Team Six has been named the highest ranking enlisted official and an advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, military officials announced Tuesday. Navy Fleet Master Chief David Isom, once a member of Navy Special Warfare Development Group commonly called SEAL Team Six, will become the sixth Senior Enlisted Advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to the Department of Defense. The SEAC position was created in 2005 and is considered the most senior enlisted leader, according to Task and Purpose. Advertisement Navy Fleet Master Chief David Isom is the new Senior Enlisted Advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department of Defense announced Tuesday. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anthony J. Rivera Master Chief Isom has a long resume of active duty service including combat and operational deployments in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other stints through the Pacific and the Horn of Africa, according to his official biography. The career soldier also deployed with SEAL Team 1 during his illustrious career, according to that biography. Advertisement During his service career, Isom won four Bronze Star Medals, including two with distinction for valor, two Combat Action Ribbons, and a Presidential Unity Citation, Task and Purpose reported. 'Master Chief Isom's assignments have included a full range of duties in Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) Teams at Theater Special Operations Commands and across the joint environment,' the newly minted SEAC's biography read. Isom won four Bronze Star Medals during his combat career that included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Marine Corps/Cpl. Dean Gurule Most recently, Isom has served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for US Indo-Pacific Command. Advertisement Isom joined the Navy in 1987, inspired by his Korean War Army veteran father and a love of the ocean that he discovered while surfing off the coast of his native North Carolina, he revealed in an interview in 2022. The decorated SEAL revealed that he was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer around the time of September 11th, 2001, and was soon deployed to the Middle East. After losing 'teammates' while fighting in Afghanistan in Iraq, Isom said he learned, 'the key role of leaders and caring for people and developing other leaders,' according to that interview. Master Chief Isom is replacing current SEAC Troy E. Black, the DoD said in the release.
