B-2 Bombers Head West Across Pacific Amidst Iran Crisis
The B-2s have begun their oceanic crossing over the Pacific.MYTEE 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… pic.twitter.com/sWXhKfmdMl
— 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 @ADSBexpic.twitter.com/6SoEt36zum
— 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 FLT.KC135s NITRO71-74 are joined with B2s MYTEE11 FLT.Two groups of B2s. pic.twitter.com/LAF1JV9Uch
— 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 traffic.Note the spacing between each group of four. pic.twitter.com/qhY5zXSBGs
— 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 #PGUA.Working with San Francisco (SFO) #HF on 5574 khz.#MYTEE21 #MYTEE22 #MYTEE23. pic.twitter.com/6uAjYfE11W
— 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 pic.twitter.com/x90gaNVcRo
— 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
pic.twitter.com/s3i5mWpSpk
— 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… https://t.co/Nq2C2kKB89pic.twitter.com/9iSmgGQ93d
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) June 20, 2025
1431z "#MYTEE21 ATC Requests Advice when MARSA With #FRESH35 Flight." pic.twitter.com/9KDv5nHyCF
— 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, CA.KC-46s HIFI81-82 supporting B-2s MYTEE21 FLT.KC-46s HIFI83-84 supporting B-2s MYTEE11 FLT. pic.twitter.com/u9s1ksh6UJ
— 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. pic.twitter.com/gTa4L0V63u
— 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… pic.twitter.com/k102I9raP7
— 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. pic.twitter.com/OphlnYLL6F
— 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. pic.twitter.com/qpMyADdix9
— 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 UK.Via @TheAviationist and @TallGlenn85 pic.twitter.com/8UTdv1TL54
— 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… pic.twitter.com/BeZ8AkDysW
— 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 war.Turkey, 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 clearer.Reuters, 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@twz.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Poll: Ramaswamy, Acton in dead heat for 2026 governor's race
Aug. 12—A new poll shows the 2026 Ohio governor's race is tight at this early stage. According to a new survey from Impact Research Republican Vivek Ramaswamy leads Democrat Amy Acton, 47-46 percent, with 7 percent undecided. Ramaswamy, a businessman who ran in the 2024 presidential election currently leads for his party's nomination, with his opponent Ohio Attorney General David Yost withdrawn from the race. He faces entrepreneur Heather Hill in the Republican primary. Trending * Westbound ramp of U.S. 52 to State Route 141 will be closed starting Monday * Two Hearts opens Ironton location Acton, who served as the state's health director during the 2020 beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the only announced Democrat seeking the governorship. While Ohio has voted straight Republican in all statewide races the past few elections, the race appear competitive, due to the candidates' favorability scores. The survey found that Acton has a 60 percent recognition of name ID among voters and is viewed positively by 33 percent of voters and negatively by 28 percent. Ramaswamy is known by 80 percent of voters and is viewed positively by 44 percent, with 41 percent having a negative view. The poll of 800 likely voters was conducted from July 24-28 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent. Impact Research is a Democratic polling and strategy firm. The results of their survey are slightly closer than a Bowling Green State University poll, taken in April, which had Ramaswamy leading 50-45 percent. Trending * Studio Dara grand reopening set for Sept. 5 * Citizenship Awards presented You Might Like News Westbound ramp of U.S. 52 to State Route 141 will be closed starting Monday Business Two Hearts opens Ironton location Business Studio Dara grand reopening set for Sept. 5 News Citizenship Awards presented Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hochul leads Stefanik by shrinking margins in potential race for governor
Aug. 12—Rep. Elise M. Stefanik is closing the polling gap with Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul as she continues to weigh running for the job next year. According to the latest Siena College Research Institute poll, released Tuesday, Hochul still does better than Stefanik in a one-on-one contest, but the 23-point gap between the two potential candidates recorded in June has shrunk to 14 percentage points. If the election were today and the only two options are Stefanik and Hochul, 45% of voters said they would pick Hochul and 31% said they would pick Stefanik. The north country congresswoman, a Republican, has improved her name recognition among the New York voting base. Now, just about 59% of voters report having some opinion of her and 41% report no opinion or no familiarity with the congresswoman ― compared to past polls that have shown she was known to less than 30% of the voting base across the state. Now, 27% of voters have a positive opinion of Stefanik and 32% have an unfavorable view of her. Stefanik does best among upstate residents and Republicans, and worst with New York City residents and Democrats. Hochul, a Democrat, is continuing a trend of middling favorability ratings: 42% of New York voters like her, 44% do not, and 14% don't know of her or have no clear opinion. Hochul does best with Democrats and New York City residents, and pulls a 37% favorable, 52% unfavorable rating from upstate residents. On job approval, Hochul does better with 53% of voters saying they approve of the work she has done as governor and 42% reporting they disapprove. "While the governor can trumpet her best job approval rating since March 2023, there is little doubt that Stefanik will highlight that more than a year out from a potential match-up, Hochul's lead over Stefanik is only 14 points," said SCRI pollster Steven Greenberg. "Hochul doesn't hit 'the magic 51% mark'" Greenberg continued. "More than two-thirds of Democrats are with Hochul and three-quarters of Republicans are with Stefanik. Independents are closely divided, leaning towards Stefanik, after favoring Hochul in June." Greenberg noted that while NYC voters are firmly with Hochul, downstate suburban voters have shifted their loyalties and now narrowly favor Stefanik. Upstate, voters before had given Hochul a 12 percentage point lead in previous polls, but now are roughly evenly divided. "Stefanik clearly has room to grow with voters, either positively or negatively. While 49% of voters say they are very or somewhat familiar with her, 46% are not very or not at all familiar with Stefanik," Greenberg said. "Republicans think she has the right experience to be Governor, Democrats don't and independents are closely divided." Stefanik took a victory lap over the poll results, sharing a link on social media to a news report about the poll. "The worst governor in America is losing independents, cratering support and in political free fall in the latest Siena polling," Stefanik said. "We will continue to work hard to earn your support to Save NY." Stefanik has not yet formally declared a campaign for the governor's office, now 15 months away from the 2026 election. The last Republican to run for the seat, current EPA Administrator Lee M. Zeldin, had announced more than 16 months before the 2022 election where he came the closest to any Republican in a generation to winning the seat. Zeldin also had a four-way primary to contend with. Republicans have taken great efforts to avoid a primary for their pick this year, and the other potential nominees have since dropped out or stepped back since Stefanik started talking seriously about a run. While voters are warming to Stefanik, they're not happy about a bill she claimed to be the deciding vote to pass: the "One Big Beautiful Bill" that advanced a heap of Trump administration priorities including tax changes, spending cuts and a wide-ranging reorientation of the federal government. According to the SCRI polls, a majority of voters in New York are concerned that the bill and the Medicaid cuts it enacts will hurt or close rural hospitals in New York. Those concerns, driven by reports and statements from hospitals saying that a reduction in Medicaid coverage will mean more unpaid work done in emergency rooms and intensive care units, reach a majority of Democrats, independents and Republicans alike, and every region of the state. "At least 63% of voters from every region of the state are concerned about closures," Greenberg said. The "One Big Beautiful Bill" includes language that will penalize New York and other states if they choose to continue to use their own state funds to offer emergency Medicaid coverage to immigrants, documented or undocumented. The penalty will cut the funds the federal government provides for Medicaid expansion to U.S. citizens, essentially cutting U.S. citizens off of their health care if their state opts to spend its own money to insure immigrants. The SCRI poll asked voters if they approve of New York dedicating another $3 billion to Medicaid for "illegal" immigrants in the face of the federal penalties. Republicans and independents were opposed, and a plurality, rather than a majority, of Democrats approved. The issue is more evenly divided by age than party; voters younger than 35 broadly support providing health care to immigrants while a vast majority of voters older than 55 are opposed. As a result of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" and its Medicaid cuts, the state is reportedly coming in about $750 million short on revenue to meet expenses this year, and $3 billion next year. According to the SCRI poll, a majority of Republicans and independents support cutting services to close the gap, while a plurality of Democrats say the answer is to raise taxes. "With the state budget a long way away, neither side as yet made a convincing argument to voters on how to close any potential gap from federal funding cuts in the BBB," Greenberg said. The SCRI poll also asked voters their take on a handful of policy proposals on the table in Albany and Washington, D.C. A vast majority support a proposal to require retail establishments and food sellers to take cash, reversing the push to cashless operations. Another proposal at the federal level to send funds to local police departments to provide child care options for officers has support from 60% of voters. A majority, 60%, including a majority of Republicans, Democrats and independents, back a new state law now in effect that requires school districts implement a cellphone ban for students for the entire school day. A majority of state voters approve of a state law that permits New York-based doctors to prescribe abortion medication to out-of-state residents, and provide only the patient's name and the pharmacy on official documentation. The law is intended to protect state doctors from other state abortion bans that make it a crime for doctors to prescribe abortion drugs. While 54% of New York voters approve, including a majority of Democrats and a plurality of independents, a majority of Republicans are opposed to the law. A plurality of voters, and a plurality Republicans, Democrats and independents approve of Hochul's recent announcement that the state is looking to build a gigawatt of new nuclear energy in upstate New York. Voters are heavily split on the most recent policy out of Albany. Hochul and Democratic legislative leaders have floated an amendment to the state constitution that would weaken or destroy the Independent Redistricting Commission tasked with drawing the state's legislative and congressional district lines once per decade. The amendment would allow state lawmakers to redraw the state's congressional maps mid-decade, without a new federal census, if another state in the U.S. also does so. The amendment comes as a response to efforts by the Republican party to gerrymander states like Texas to add reliable Republican districts and secure their majority, which many predict the Republicans will lose next year. Last week, Hochul hosted a handful of Texas Democrats who fled their state in an attempt to block the redistricting legislation, and said she'd be looking to put such an amendment on the table as soon as possible, which would be 2027 at the earliest. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has hit his lowest ever favorability rating, tracking back to February of 2005, pulling in a 38% positive rating. For the first time in his political career, Schumer has lost the support of his native New York City, with 39% of voters reporting a negative outlook on him. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., is also pulling in negative ratings; just 36% of people report a positive outlook on the junior senator, compared to 38% who disapprove of her. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What to know about Pete Hegseth's connection to an archconservative church network
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he's proud to be part of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, an archconservative network of Christian congregations. He recently shared a CNN video on social media about CREC, showing its pastors arguing women should not have the right to vote.
