The US Air Force’s B-2 stealth bombers recently carried out their longest mission ever during Operation Midnight Hammer. The mission lasted 37 straight hours, taking the pilots from Missouri to Iran and back. Their target was Iran’s Fordow nuclear enrichment plant, which is buried deep under a mountain.
Seven B-2 bombers took off late Friday night from Whiteman Air Force Base near Kansas City. They flew in complete radio silence, refueled several times midair, and coordinated with fighter jets and support aircraft while entering Iranian airspace.
Comfort Inside the B-2 Cockpit
Despite the long hours, the B-2 pilots were not left without basic comforts, and according to the New York Post, the cockpit has:
- A microwave oven
- A mini refrigerator stocked with snacks
- A toilet for convenience
- Space for one pilot to rest while the other flies
The pilots had food like candy bars, cereal, sandwiches, milk, and beverages, as reported by NDTV World. These small comforts helped the crew stay alert and focused during the long mission.
The Fordow Strike
The B-2 bomber, first introduced in 1997 and costing over $2 billion each, has been a key part of the US Air Force’s strike capabilities. Operation Midnight Hammer was the bomber’s longest mission since the strikes in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
“The B-2s linked up with escort and support aircraft in a complex, tightly timed maneuver requiring exact synchronization across multiple platforms in a narrow piece of airspace, all done with minimal communications,” said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lt. Gen. Daniel Caine.
At 6:40 p.m. ET, the lead B-2 dropped two GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs on the first target at Fordow. The remaining bombers followed, dropping a total of 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) on two nuclear sites.
A Mission of Precision and Endurance
The operation lasted only 25 minutes inside Iran, but the overall journey tested the endurance of both the aircraft and the pilots. With careful planning, tight coordination, and advanced technology, the US military completed one of its most ambitious air missions.
The blend of cutting-edge stealth power and simple comforts like a microwave and snacks highlights the unusual balance of modern warfare. While the B-2 is a $2 billion flying weapon, it still gives its pilots the essentials to survive long, grueling missions.
ALSO READ: B-2 Bomber Wheels Painted White? The Smart Trick Engineers Use Against Heat
