Latest news with #stealthbombers
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
B-2 Bombers Head West Across Pacific Amidst Iran Crisis
At least two separate groups of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are currently heading westward across the Pacific Ocean, but their exact final destination is currently unclear. The bomber movements come as U.S. officials have been deliberating whether or not to join Israel's ongoing campaign against Iran, and President Donald Trump has said a final decision could come within the next two weeks. B-2s carrying 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs are widely seen as the only readily available conventional option for targeting the deeply-buried enrichment facility at Fordo, in particular, short of a ground flight tracking data, together with publicly available air traffic control audio, shows at least two separate flights of B-2 bombers using the call signs Mytee 11 and Mytee 21 departing Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri overnight, supported by a large force of aerial refueling tankers. Whiteman is the main operating base for the Air Force's entire fleet of 19 B-2s. The stealth bombers headed west and subsequently linked up with additional tankers off the coast of California. The B-2s have begun their oceanic crossing over the 11 flt and MYTEE 21 flt wkg SAN FRANCISCO RADIO on HF this morning after refueling with HIFI 81 flt (KC-46) and HIFI 83 flt (KC-46) along the AR5 West High track off the coast of California. NKAWTG… — Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) June 21, 2025 NITRO61 flt (KC-135) refueling MYTEE21 flt (B-2) on the AR309 NITRO71 is the next cell of tankersAudio via @liveatc and tracking via @ — Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) June 21, 2025 How many B-2s are in each Mytee flight is not clear, but there are reports that each one contains at least three B-2s. Flight tracking data shows four tankers were tasked to support each group after the initial launch from Whiteman. Earlier this year, two sets of three B-2s had deployed to the highly strategic Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, from where they flew strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen, in what was also a major show of force aimed at Iran. KC135s NITRO61-64 are joined with B2s MYTEE21 NITRO71-74 are joined with B2s MYTEE11 groups of B2s. — Aircraft Spots (@AircraftSpots) June 21, 2025 Two groups of four tankers out of Altus are now lined up with air refueling route AR-309 (west) for Whiteman AFB air the spacing between each group of four. — Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 21, 2025 1147z MYTEE 21 x3 USAF B-2/A Spirit's(Making the Total now atleast x6 #B2's)Departed from Whiteman AFB #KSZL Likely heading to Guam / Anderson AFB # with San Francisco (SFO) #HF on 5574 khz.#MYTEE21 #MYTEE22 #MYTEE23. — Andy (@Andyyyyrrrr) June 21, 2025 Signs have been growing for days that a major deployment of B-2s could be imminent. A large force of aerial refueling tankers had been tracked deploying to various locations across the Pacific. C-17 cargo aircraft had also made flights to Whiteman, where they could have been dropping off or picking up personnel and/or materiel in support of an upcoming mission. Another C-17 with a 4-digit code (interestingly is also the tail code :-)) is outbound from Whiteman. It is also a McChord based C-17 and was on the ground for just over 3 hours before launching again. #08-8192 — MeNMyRC (@MeNMyRC1) June 20, 2025 Starting on June 13, Whiteman had also been closed for operations for scheduled maintenance to the airfield, and had been set to reopen on June 23. However, the reopening occurred ahead of schedule on June 19, after which the C-17 flights began. C-17s descending into Whiteman this evening — Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) June 19, 2025 As noted, the ultimate destination for the Mytee 11 and Mytee 21 flights is not clear at present. A Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) released yesterday suggested that the B-2s were at least set to refuel off the coast of Hawaii today as part of their onward movement, which has now been backed up by flight tracking data and air traffic control audio. A NOTAM for aerial refueling just north of Hawaii has been published for June 21st starting at 0300 Zulu (11:00 AM EST). The attitude reservation entitled 'GLOCK' is for altitudes FL210 – FL280. Looks like the B-2s are getting ready. PS. The B-2 looking shape in red is… — Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) June 20, 2025 1431z "#MYTEE21 ATC Requests Advice when MARSA With #FRESH35 Flight." — Andy (@Andyyyyrrrr) June 21, 2025 There are reports that the stealth bombers are currently heading to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. If that is true, some or all of the bombers could still continue on to Diego Garcia or other forward locations. Diego Garcia is one of a very limited number of locations outside of the United States with existing infrastructure to support sustained B-2 operations. AR #2 out of Travis AFB, HIFI81-82 supporting B-2s MYTEE21 HIFI83-84 supporting B-2s MYTEE11 FLT. — Aircraft Spots (@AircraftSpots) June 21, 2025 It should be stressed here that there are no clear indications one way or the other at this time that the B-2s are actively headed to conduct strikes on Iran, although they have the capability to do so without forward basing. This was demonstrated last October when a group of them flew straight from Whiteman to strike targets in Yemen. At that time, TWZ also highlighted the clear signal that the marathon mission had sent to Iran. The fact that the B-2s refueled immediately after takeoff could point to them at least having MOPs onboard, as the weight of the weapons requires some fuel to be sacrificed for departure. Positioning the B-2s even in Guam would still reduce the time for sorties to and from Iran, which would, in turn, help the turnaround time for follow-on missions. Each of the stealth bombers can only carry two GBU-57/Bs at a time, and multiple MOPs would be required to neutralize Fordo as part of a sustained campaign. It's also important to note that B-2s would conduct any strikes on Iran as part of a larger force package that would include supporting assets to help shield the bombers from anti-air threats, as well as conduct post-strike damage assessments. Combat search and rescue forces would also be part of the equation. The B-2s are already extremely survivable and Iran's air defense capabilities have been severely degraded by Israeli strikes, but that does not mean there are zero risks. At least as of June 19, four B-52 bombers, as well as six F-15E Strike Eagles, continue to be forward-deployed at Diego Garcia after having arrived there at various points back in May. TWZ was first to report on the deployment of the F-15Es, which are there explicitly for force protection purposes. Satellite imagery has also consistently shown tankers, cargo planes, and other supporting aircraft at the strategic island outpost in recent months. The U.S. military also recently repositioned air assets from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, some of which at least appear to have been relocated to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. American naval vessels in Bahrain were also observed putting to sea. These movements would help reduce the vulnerability of the forces in question to potential Iranian attacks. Higher resolution Chinese satellite imagery from the 19th posted by Mizarvision. — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 21, 2025 Satellite images of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, one of the U.S. Air Force's most important bases in the Middle East, appear to show the base now completely abandoned. The base, which regularly maintains dozens of military aircraft, including aerial-refueling tankers, surveillance… — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 18, 2025 Almost all vessels have sortied out from Salman Port in Bahrain, a multinational naval base on the Persian Gulf. At least 1x US Navy LCS, 2x minesweepers, both of the Royal Bahraini Navy's Perry-class Frigates, and a roughly a dozen smaller vessels have put to sea. — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 17, 2025 This all comes amid what the U.S. military has openly acknowledged as a major force build-up across the Middle East, as well as Europe, in light of the current Israel-Iran conflict. Officials have insisted that the recent deployments, which include airpower and naval assets, are defensively focused. However, these forces are also now inherently better positioned to support offensive operations against Iran if the decision is made to do so. Lajes Air Base, a key mid-Atlantic stopping-over point for US aircraft headed to and from Europe and beyond, is absolutely packed. New images show 12x USAF tankers sitting on the ramp as the massive ongoing US airlift to the Middle East continues. — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 21, 2025 A flock of USAF F-22 Raptor stealth fighters follow their KC-46 tanker towards the Middle East, as seen from the @TheAviationist and @TallGlenn85 — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 20, 2025 The U.S. Navy now has five guided-missile destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean, according to U.S. defense officials. This is a significant increase. Earlier this week, the U.S. had just one in the eastern Med. Following Israel's attack on Iran, the U.S. had two positioned in… — Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) June 20, 2025 'We're going to see what that period of time is, but I'm giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum,' Trump told reporters yesterday when asked about the possibility of U.S. strikes on Iran. 'I think it's very hard to make that request right now,' Trump also said in response to questions about the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran to provide space for a negotiated settlement to the conflict. 'If somebody is winning, it's a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing, but we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens.' 'We're the only ones that have the capability to do it — but that doesn't mean I'm going to do it,' Trump had also said on Wednesday when asked about a possible U.S. strike on Fordo. 'I have ideas as to what to do. I like to make the final decision one second before it's due because things change, especially with war. Senior Iranian and European officials did meet in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday about a possible diplomatic resolution to the fighting, but the only clear outcome was a readiness for further talks. A new ultimatum from the Trump administration demanding Iran abandon domestic enrichment activities and dismantle other elements of its nuclear program, as well as accept new restrictions on its missile capabilities, was reportedly conveyed to Iran at that time. Even just a forward deployment of B-2s would be in line with a maximum pressure campaign to push the regime in Tehran to accept these terms. According to N12 news, The U.S. has delivered a final offer to Iran:• END uranium enrichment• SLASH long-range missile programs• DISMANTLE key nuclear infrastructureIsrael believes rejection = U.S. enters the Oman, Italy & Norway offered to host talks. Iran… — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 20, 2025 The Iranian government has already pushed back on the possibility of any negotiations while Israeli strikes continue. Israeli officials, for their part, have also expressed disinterest in diplomatic engagement with Iran. As the force of B-2 bombers continues to head west across the Pacific, their ultimate destination at least may become NBC News, and The Wall Street Journal are now reporting that the B-2s are headed for Andersen Air Force Base on Guam, all citing unnamed U.S. officials. The possibility remains that some or all of the stealth bombers could continue onward to a location like Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. 'The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, declined to disclose any further details,' according to Reuters' report. 'One official said no forward orders had been given yet to move the bombers beyond Guam. They did not say how many B-2 bombers are being moved.' 'However no order has been given to strike Iran, officials say,' The Wall Street Journal's Lara Seligman also wrote in a post on X. However no order has been given to strike Iran, officials say — Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) June 21, 2025Contact the author: joe@
ABC News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Satellite images show impact craters, building damage at Iranian nuclear sites
New satellite imagery shows US stealth bombers appear to have targeted a vulnerable spot in one of Iran's key nuclear sites, buried deep in a mountain. Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, located near the city of Qom, is a once-secret facility that has recently been enriching uranium to levels high above the minimum needed for civilian use. "If your goal is to eliminate [Iran's] nuclear program, you have to eliminate Fordow," one expert told ABC NEWS Verify. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the bombers had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear ambitions, in a press conference following the mission. New imagery from the site shows six visible craters on the mountain that shields Fordow's underground structure, thought to be about 90 metres below. They were caused by several of the 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs dropped on two Iranian nuclear sites during the attack. The images have been analysed by experts from the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) — a think-tank led by David Albright, a leading American physicist and nuclear weapons expert, who is also a former weapons inspector. The impacts at the bottom of the image appear to exploit one of the facility's vulnerabilities — a ventilation shaft, according to the ISIS analysis. "This set of holes [is] near the ventilation shaft of the underground complex, enabling an easier pathway for the MOPS to the deeply buried halls," it reads. "It is highly likely that the enrichment halls were severely damaged or even destroyed in the attack. Debris from the explosions can be seen on the side of the mountain," it concludes. The ventilation shaft had been identified as a weak spot in the structure — after Fordow's early blueprints were stolen in a 2018 raid by Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service. "We were surprised by this, there's only one ventilation shaft for the building," David Albright said in a 2024 podcast interview. "You see it in the drawings. We went back and looked at historical imagery and we could see it being built, and then [camouflaged]. "You know exactly where it is … you can destroy that shaft deeply, that could potentially cause damage mostly through temperature effects. "You could put the facility out of commission for quite a long time, measured probably in a few years rather than a few months," he told Arms Control Poseur. The ISIS analysis also notes that Fordow's entrances were backfilled by Iran ahead of the attack. Evidence of this can be seen in imagery from June 20, where trucks and what appear to be bulldozers were captured near the facility's entrances. Natanz and Isfahan The new imagery also shows Natanz — Iran's largest enrichment facility — has been impacted by at least one "bunker-buster". An image from its construction in 2003 shows large structures in the middle of the site, which are not present in more recent imagery and were likely buried. The new imagery shows at least one GBU-57 impact point above what is thought to be a buried enrichment hall, according to ISIS analysis. "This explosion likely destroyed the facility," it concludes. The high-resolution imagery shows at least one other likely impact crater. Previous Israeli strikes had hit an electrical substation, gas turbine generators, a power supply support building and a pilot fuel enrichment plant. The Isfahan nuclear site had also been hit by Israeli strikes prior to America's involvement. But a US submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at the site as the attack was unfolding. ISIS analysis said the Isfahan complex sustained heavy damage, including to its main uranium conversion facility and nearby tunnel entrances. Bombers fly east B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers were used to drop the GBU-57s — marking the first time the bombs have been used in an operation. The bombs reach depths of up to 60 metres before exploding. The US's entire fleet of B-2s operates out of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. It took 18 hours for the bombers to reach their target, according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine. Including the flight back to the US, it was the longest B-2 mission since 2001. The mission included flying a number of bombers west over the Pacific as decoys — which were able to be tracked by some aviation enthusiasts. General Caine said more than 125 aircraft were involved in the mission — including fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets.
LBCI
22-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
US used seven B-2 bombers for 'surprise' Iran attack: Top general
Seven stealth bombers were used in the U.S. attack against Iranian nuclear sites, which apparently saw little response by Iran's military, top general Dan Caine said Sunday. Describing the complex operation, dubbed "Midnight Hammer," Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said the "main strike package comprised of 7 B-2 Spirit bombers" flying 18 hours from the U.S. mainland to Iran with multiple aerial refueling. "Iran's fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran's surface to air missile systems did not see us throughout the mission. We retained the element of surprise," Caine added. AFP
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Where B-2 stealth bombers' mission to strike Iran started in the U.S.
A group of elite B-2 Spirit stealth bombers that took flight from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri early on the morning of June 21 headed for Iran, taking part in a mission to bomb three nuclear sites that President Donald Trump revealed hours later. The B-2 bombers conducted a series of strikes on targets in Iran, a senior Defense official confirmed. Those targets were Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan in Iran, the president revealed in a social media post just before 8 p.m. ET, saying it was a "very successful attack." The B-2s, valued at roughly $2 billion a piece, are known not only for their stealth technology, but for their ability to fly long range and carry big "bunker busting" bombs designed to penetrate deeply-buried bunkers and facilities. Whiteman Air Force Base, southeast of Kansas City, Missouri, is home to the entire fleet of 19 B-2 stealth bombers and proclaims it "can project U.S. airpower anywhere around the world from its home station." Its 509th Bomb Wing is part of the Air Force Global Strike Command. The B-2 Spirit is a long-range stealth bomber, equipped to carry the heaviest U.S. bombs and nuclear weapons. Its design and materials limit its ability to be detected by enemy radar. Its flying wing design, composite materials and coating reduce its radar cross section, according to an updated Congressional Research Service report released June 18. All B-2s are nuclear-capable, equipped to carry nuclear gravity bombs, but not cruise missiles, the Research Service stated. It's the only aircraft equipped to carry the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or GBU-57, known as the "bunker buster" bomb. The B-2 has a total crew of two pilots. A wingspan of 172 feet and a length of 69 feet. Weighs 160,000 pounds. Each can hold two of the GBU-57s. Its design and build cost has been estimated at around $2 billion. More: B-2 bomber returns home to Edwards AFB for upgrades on 35th anniversary of first flight The bombers had been deployed at least once earlier in the year. Reuters, quoting unnamed U.S. officials, reported in April that as many as six bombers had been deployed to a U.S.-British military based on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. During Operation Allied Force, the B-2 was responsible for destroying 33% of all Serbian targets in the first eight weeks, flying nonstop to Kosovo from Missouri and back, according to the Air Force. During Operation Enduring Freedom, the B-2 flew from Whiteman to Afghanistan and back, the Air Force said. Its first ever combat deployment took place during Operation Iraqi Freedom, when it flew 22 sorties from a forward operating location, as well as 27 sorties from Whiteman. In total, the Air Force reported the bombers released more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions. In the waning days of the Obama administration in 2017, two B-2 bombers were among a fleet that dropped more than 100 bombs southwest of Sirte, Libya in strikes against the Islamic state and al-Qaeda terrorist targets. In October 2024, the U.S. attacked Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen with B-2 bombers. At the time, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strike by the bombers "was a unique demonstration of the United States' ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened or fortified." Contributing: Reuters, Kim Hjelmgaard, John Bacon, Kathryn Palmer This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: B-2 stealth bombers took off from the US on mission to strike Iran
Telegraph
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Starmer has chosen to make Britain irrelevant
As American stealth bombers swept towards their targets in Iran, there was one question that no one in the White House situation room would have asked: What does Britain think of this? Donald Trump had no need to care about Britain's opinion for the simple reason that Sir Keir Starmer chose to stay out of the operation and make Britain irrelevant. No B-2 bombers took off from Diego Garcia; no request came from Washington for Britain's permission to use the Anglo-American base on the island. Nor did the Americans ask for any other form of British military support. Many of our diplomats will be heaving sighs of relief. We are in the clear, they will tell themselves. If America and Israel turn out to have failed and Iran repairs its nuclear plants in a few months before dashing to make a bomb – an unlikely but possible outcome – then Britain will be able to congratulate itself on its prescience. If the whole enterprise is a tragic error, then it pays to be irrelevant. But there is a problem: the Prime Minister is not against this US operation; on the contrary Sir Keir's statement implies that it was necessary, saying: 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.' Britain was 'informed' of the military action 'by a key ally,' according to Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, though he did not say which ally or whether the information had come in advance. The world may conclude that Britain supports the American strike and deserves all the opprobrium that goes with it. You can be sure that Russia, China and Iran, itself, will draw this conclusion. The danger is that Sir Keir has chosen the worst of all worlds: by not joining the action he has made Britain irrelevant; by not opposing it he will share the risk anyway. The lesson should be carved in marble: the middle way is often the most damaging option. And if Britain is not prepared to use force alongside allies, then it would be better for our diplomats not to involve themselves in vital security issues in the Middle East. They will only be irrelevant when it matters most. Another conclusion is just as painful. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has delivered a masterclass in how to handle Mr Trump. Against his own instincts and the wishes of his most ardent supporters, the president has just embroiled America in a war in the Middle East. The heaviest bunker-busting bombs in the world, which only the US Air Force can deliver, have smashed their way into Iran's uranium enrichment plant buried in a mountain at Fordow. At a stroke, a vital threat to the state of Israel has received the heaviest non-nuclear blow that America can deliver. Mr Netanyahu achieved this by following a simple insight: Mr Trump helps allies who help themselves. Israel started this campaign without waiting for America, demonstrating its willingness to bear the costs and risks of military action. Once he saw how Israel was fully prepared to look after itself, Mr Trump decided to intervene with decisive effect. On the eve of this week's Nato summit, Britain and every European ally should take note. The more they build up their own military capabilities and demonstrate their independent willingness to use them, the greater the chance of keeping Mr Trump in the Atlantic Alliance. In all of this, no one has miscalculated more egregiously than Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran. He did not believe that Mr Netanyahu would strike, and Israel killed Iran's entire high command with one opening blow. Khamenei did not think America would act either, judging by the obduracy of Iran's negotiating position at last-ditch talks in Geneva on Friday. He was catastrophically wrong on both counts. Now the ayatollah's entire military strategy and his nuclear programme lies in ruins around him. The long reign of this blinkered and inept 86-year-old is effectively over. Sir Keir can at least take comfort that he did not blunder on the same scale.
