Latest news with #B2s
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
B-2 Bombers Arrive At Alaskan Airbase Putin Will Land At (Updated)
A pair of B-2 bombers touched down at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska yesterday, and more may now be headed in the same direction. Elmendorf is the base that will host a summit today between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. While it is unclear if any of this is directly related, the presence of the B-2s still offers an opportunity to send a strategic reminder to the highest rung of the Russian government. Online flight tracking data, publicly available air traffic control audio recordings, and views from the ground of the bombers on approach all confirm the arrival of the B-2s at Elmendorf on August 14. The base, which is now technically part of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), is located in southeastern Alaska in Anchorage. It is home to the U.S. Air Force's active-duty 3rd Wing, with its F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning Control System (AWACS) radar planes, C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, and C-12 light utility aircraft. It also hosts additional C-17s, as well as HC-130 Combat King rescue aircraft and HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, assigned to the Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing. Other U.S. military aircraft, including Air Force RC-135V/W Rivet Joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance jets, are regular visitors, too. #26E8F9 as #DAGGR21 and #DAGGR11 Flight of 2 B2s into Elmendorf AFB PAED. Watching Lake Hood Seaplane Base live feed for maybe a chance to see 11-3013 and two B2s come into frame. Turn on the PANC atc tower feed and low and behold they were a DAGGR flight. Not the Daggr I was… — Norb (@norb420) August 14, 2025 Wow. Two B2s were just spotted landing at Elmendorf. Talk about the ultimate flex. — The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) August 14, 2025 Additional online flight tracking data and air traffic control audio regarding two aircraft with 'Death' callsigns, regularly used by B-2s, raise the possibility that more of the bombers may be bound for Elmendorf, or elsewhere in or around Alaska. Also heard by @ — Amelia Smith (@ameliairheart) August 15, 2025 The Air Force has just 19 B-2 bombers in total, all of which are based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. As such, the two bombers that flew to Elmendorf represent roughly 10 percent of the entire fleet. Some number of B-2s are also down for maintenance at any one time and are not available for taskings. When reached for comment about why the B-2s flew to Elmendorf, U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) redirected TWZ to the White House. We have also reached out to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) for more information. The B-2s could very well be in Alaska for Exercise Northern Edge 2025. The JBER website says the exercise began yesterday and is set to run through August 29. Other sources say the event will formally kick off on Sunday. The 'exercise provides an opportunity for joint and multi-domain operations designed to offer high-end, realistic war-fighter training, develop and improve joint interoperability, and enhance the combat readiness of participating forces,' according to an Air Force press release put out last week. 'NE25 demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability, advancing common interests and a commitment to our allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. This year's exercise additionally showcases U.S. ability to defend the homeland from and throughout Alaska.' 'Operating locations include Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base, Allen Army Airfield, King Salmon, Cold Bay, Fairbanks International Airport, Ted Stevens International Airport, Juneau International Airport, Alaska; and Fairchild AFB and Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington,' the release added. 'The training will take place in and over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Gulf of Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands.' Northern Edge exercises, which occur every two years, are large-scale events routinely used to test and evaluate new systems and capabilities from across the U.S. military. Advanced networking and communications concepts are often a particular area of focus. B-2s have taken part in past Northern Edge exercises, and their participation in this year's iteration would be unsurprising. Though the B-2 fleet is small, it remains a vital 'silver bullet' capability for the United States both in terms of nuclear deterrence and conventional power projection. This was on full display when B-2s struck Iranian nuclear facilities with 30,000-pound-class GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs, America's heaviest conventional air-dropped munition that only these bombers are certified to employ operationally, during Operation Midnight Hammer back in June. With all this in mind, B-2s, which were designed at the tail end of the Cold War with nuclear strikes on the Soviet Union in mind, are often used for strategic signalling to America's opponents. As such, even if the B-2s are at Elmendorf for Northern Edge 2025, it is hard not to see their presence as at least a 'happy coincidence' intended to send a message and otherwise be a show of strength aimed at Putin and the rest of the Russian government. It is also worth noting that the base's F-22s are America's premier fighters, and are unmatched by anything in Russia's inventory. Trump has repeatedly shown a willingness to work with Putin to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as tackle other issues, but also openly expressed exasperation in recent months with Russian authorities. On August 1, Trump notably declared in a post on his Truth Social social media network that he had 'ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions' in response to fiery remarks alluding to nuclear war from former Russian President and current Deputy Chair of the country's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev. While Trump did not specify what kinds of submarines he was talking about, U.S. Navy Ohio class nuclear-powered ballistic and guided missile boats are a tool the U.S. government often uses for strategic messaging purposes. President Trump says he has ordered that two nuclear submarines be positioned in 'appropriate regions' in response to Russian Security Council deputy chair Medvedev's 'highly provocative statements.' — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 1, 2025 Just on Wednesday, Trump also threatened unspecified 'very severe consequences' if Putin does not agree to bring the war in Ukraine to an end at today's summit. The U.S. president has also downplayed the significance of the meeting, saying he is already looking ahead to a sit-down involving him, Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and potentially leaders from Europe. REPORTER: Will Russia face any consequences if Putin does not agree to stop the war after your meeting?TRUMP: Yes, they willR: What will they be? Sanctions? Tariffs?TRUMP: I don't have to say. There will be very severe consequences. — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 13, 2025 Trump:We have a meeting with Putin tomorrow. But the more important meeting will be the one between Putin, Zelensky and myself. And maybe we bring some of the European leaders along, maybe not. — Clash Report (@clashreport) August 14, 2025 Whatever the case, when Putin arrives at Elmendorf today – expected to occur imminently – B-2 bombers will be at the base sending a signal, whether it is explicit or it has turned out, the arrival of the B-2s at Elmendorf was linked to Trump's summit with Putin. One of the bombers, flanked by four F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, flew over the base as the two leaders greeted each other on the tarmac. JUST IN: A B-2 Stealth Bomber and American fighter jets just flew directly over Trump and Putin's heads as they were walkingAn EPIC show of American dominance@ — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 15, 2025 MOMENTS AGO… — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) August 15, 2025 A U.S. Air Force B-2A 'Spirit' Long-Range Strategic Stealth Bomber escorted by 4 F-35 Lightning IIs passes over as President Donald J. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet and shake hands at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) August 15, 2025 B2 Stealth bomber flyover as Trump and Putin meet on tarmac. — Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) August 15, 2025 BREAKING: Trump and Putin meet in Alaska. — Clash Report (@clashreport) August 15, 2025 F-35s were also spotted flying overhead as Trump and Putin arrived at Elmendorf in their respective presidential aircraft, and may have escorted them to the base. Unsurprisingly, there has been a flurry of other U.S. military air activity over and around Alaska today, around the summit. — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) August 15, 2025 The amount of Russian and US aircraft flying right now in Alaskan airspace that you can't see on ADSB but you can hear on @liveatc is just and BYTE are the Tankers, LINK? Is probably fighters and ROMEO… — Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) August 15, 2025 On the ground, additional F-22s were also very prominently arrayed around the red carpets laid out for Putin and Trump. Air Force One is wheels down in Alaska. — Clash Report (@clashreport) August 15, 2025 — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) August 15, 2025 Air Force One Alaska… — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) August 15, 2025Additional video has now emerged that shows the motorcade carrying Trump and Putin from the tarmac at Elmendorf passing by another B-2 bomber parked on the ground. U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin purposefully passed by a B-2A 'Spirit' Long-Range Strategic Stealth Bomber on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson while on the way to the summit in Anchorage, Alaska. — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) August 15, 2025There are two B-2s currently at JBER, a U.S. official has now confirmed to TWZ. 'One was there to participate in flyover today the other is there as a static on the flightline,' they said. 'Both are there directly in support of the visit.' The B-2s are not part of Exercise Northern Edge 2025, a second U.S. official told us. Readers can find our separate ongoing coverage of the Trump-Putin summit . Contact the author: joe@
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
War planes to fly over White House as Trump signs Big Beautiful Bill. Here's how much it could cost
Beaming with happiness after the US Congress passed the Big Beautiful Bill, Donald Trump spoke to reporters at the Joint Base Andrews on Thursday as he left for the Iowa State Fairgrounds to participate in 4th of July celebrations. The 79-year-old revealed that as he signs the Big Beautiful Bill into law on July 4, B2 and F22 and F35 war planes will be flying over the White House. President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Air Force One as he departs for Iowa, (REUTERS/Nathan Howard)(REUTERS) Trump said that he is going to sign the bill around 5 p.m. in the afternoon on July 4. And as he does so, the war planes will buzz over the White House to mark the occasion, the POTUS revealed. "We're signing at about 5 o'clock, and at about 5 o'clock, we're going to have B2s and F22s and F35s flying right over the White House," Trump said. Here's the video: How Much Will It Cost The US Govt? Based on US Air Force operating costs per hour of flight— about $150,741 for the B2s (Source: Popular Mechanics), $85,325 for the F22 Raptors (Source: SlashGear), and $42,000 for the F35A (Source: FlyAJetFighter) — and assuming round-trip flight times of about 4 hours for B-2 bombers from Missouri and 2 hours for F-22s and F-35s from Virginia or Maryland, the estimated total cost for flying two B-2s, three F-22s, and three F-35s would be approximately $2 million. Trump did not mention how many of each warplane variant are going to fly over the White House as he signs the bill. The exact cost of Friday's US Air Force show over the White House will become clear once the number of aircraft in each category used in it is revealed. Also read: Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill passes crucial House vote in massive GOP win Trump Big Beautiful Bill Passed The House GOP managed to get President Trump's tax and spending bill passed (218-214 votes), despite strong bipartisan opposition. While all Democrats voted against the bill, two GOP lawmakers broke party ranks and voted against, giving it only a slight margin. The bill has been sent to President Trump for his signature, after which it will officially become an act.
Scottish Sun
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
First vid of Trump's B2s after mammoth 37hr ‘bullseye' Iran blitz… as Russia warns US ‘Pandora's Box has been opened'
VICTORIOUS RETURN First vid of Trump's B2s after mammoth 37hr 'bullseye' Iran blitz… as Russia warns US 'Pandora's Box has been opened' AMERICA'S B-2 stealth bombers have landed back in Missouri after a mammoth 37-hour round trip to blitz the mad mullahs' nuke plants. Donald Trump has hailed the Operation Midnight Hammer as a "bullseye" that caused "monumental damage" to Iran's doomsday plot. 5 A massive banner in Israel thanks US President Donald Trump following the strike 5 Russia has slammed the US as opening 'Pandora's box' 5 A B-2 stealth bomber returns to Missouri 5 5 New video shows the B-2 Spirits landing back at Whiteman Air Force Base after seven flew all the way to Iran and dropped 14 bunker buster bombs on nuke bases. It comes as the Iranian foreign minister is in Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin as he desperately tries to get help from allies. Vlad's man at the UN has warned that America has opened "Pandora's box" and that "no one knows what new catastrophes and suffering it will bring". Russia has a close relationship with Iran and buys drones from the Ayatollah to fire at Ukraine. The terror-stoking Islamist regime in Tehran has already fired a fresh barrage of missiles at Israel on Monday morning. But what the hiding Ayatollah's revenge directly against America looks like is yet to be seen. Some think he will target nearby US bases in Iraq and Syria with rockets or drone strikes. But Iran also threatened to unleash sleeper cells inside the US if it was attacked, according to NBC. The Ayatollah sent the message to Trump through an intermediary while he was at the G-7 meeting last week. Tehran may also close the Strait of Hormuz - a bottleneck entrance to the Persian Gulf where nearly a quarter of the oil shipped around the world passes through. Iran's parliament voted to shut the strait on Sunday - but it's up to the supreme leader to make the final order. Choking off the Gulf would send global oil prices skyrocketing and derail the world economy. It may also lead to fighting with the US Navy's massive Fifth Fleet based nearby, which is tasked with keeping the strait open. Trump has already warned that further action could be taken if Tehran doesn't cut a peace deal. He said in the nationally televised speech at the White House: "Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier." But the Ayatollah's mad nuke plot could live another day after Iran claimed to have smuggled out its enriched uranium before the Fordow plant was bombed. If true, the material could be sent to a secret hidden base where they may be able to turn it into a bomb. Trump suggested early Monday morning that he may topple the Ayatollah to "Make Iran Great Again". Inspired by his Make America Great Again (MAGA) political movement, the president called for "Make Iran Great Again" (MIGA). Trump wrote on Truth Social: "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!" Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun's live blog below...
Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
‘American deterrence is back': The message that will strike Asia
US President Donald Trump in the White House Situation Room on June 21. Mr Trump said on the same day that US forces had struck three Iranian nuclear sites. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Follow our live coverage here. American deterrence is back, said US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon briefing on Sunday that laid out the details of the US strikes on Iran. 'The scope and breadth of what happened will take your breath away. Planes flew from the middle of America (all the way to Iran) almost undetected,' he added. It is a message that will resonate around the world, but principally in Asia. Long used to cartography as defined in Western terms, the world refers to the area Iran is in as the Middle East. In truth, it is in West Asia - and that should not be missed, as we digest the day's events. The first use of the MOPs bombs and the second-ever use of the B-2 bombers in war have both taken place in Asia, the first time being in Afghanistan. The level of planning that went into this operation, from the ruses that had some B2s heading toward the Pacific while another 'package' headed to West Asia to the integrated deployment of hard military assets over land, undersea and in the air, alongside cyber and space resources - both the Space Force and the Space Command were involved, carrier strike groups shuffled around with swift efficiency - all bespeak a force that, despite all the talk of suffering some degradation in recent years, remains an unparalleled military machine in its lethality. To add to that, US President Donald Trump has signalled clearly that although he abhors war and peace is his principal preference, he is willing to use his men and materiel to force his will upon a situation. Suddenly, Mr Hegseth's speech at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue about Indo Pacific being the 'priority theatre' and Mr Trump's mission being 'restore the warrior ethos, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence' does not look all about empty warnings clothed in puffy language. The Asian leader likely to be most nervous about what has taken place will be North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom I have described before as 'the boy with the nuclear toy'. But allies, partners, and rivals all will study the developments closely, and make their own assessments. In Japan, the 'spear and shield' defence relationship with the US - the Americans as the spear and Japan providing the security shield for US forces - which some thought was at risk of wearing thin under this American president, will likely take on a new credibility. China will be compelled to take additional measures to not only protect its nuclear sites and underground submarine bases, but also worry about what this awesome military machine can do to the military facilities it has built in the South China Sea. In South Asia, Indians and Pakistanis will not sleep easy for awhile. If Mr Trump asks New Delhi to talk Kashmir with Islamabad, it cannot easily ignore the request. This president, since he allows him no boundaries set by international rules, norms, or decorum, will pursue his ends without regard to the means. It is what makes him both so troublesome to handle, and also to be feared. Russia, whose territory falls both in Europe and East Asia, also will study the developments closely. Moscow will draw comfort that it is the vast nuclear resources it owns, and the delivery mechanisms it possesses, that has Mr Trump's respect and gives it the elbow room to stretch his patience over his thus far futile attempts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine. That insight will not be lost on China. Sadly, I am inclined to think that the fundamental message we were delivered by Mr Trump - 'peace through strength' - will mean a ramping up of deterrence capabilities across the board at enormous cost, not reduce the risk of conflict but elevate it. Ravi Velloor is senior columnist at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Sky News AU
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Global Islamic politics expert says Israel's claims about Iranian nuclear weapon 'at odds' with intelligence reports as Netanyahu 'desperate' to involve Trump in war
An Australian global Islamic politics expert has urged the world to be "sceptical" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims after numerous intelligence reports concluded that Iran is not "close at all" to building a nuclear weapon. Professor Greg Barton from Deakin University told Sky News Netanyahu's strategy to close down Iran's nuclear program may not be as "clear cut and simple", as he would present it to be to President Donald Trump, in an attempt to persuade the US to join the Israeli assault. "I think that the way that Benjamin Netanyahu will sell it to Trump is that you just send in a couple of B2s over Fordow and it's done," Mr Barton told Sky News host Steve Price. "You've closed down the nuclear program and we're good. "But of course, it is not likely to be so clear cut and so simple." According to Axios, President Trump believes the US has leverage over Iran due to its bunker buster munitions – which Israel does not have – that are capable of destroying the Fordow nuclear enrichment facility that sits deep under a mountain. Mr Barton added the bunker buster bombs are unlikely to demolish Iran's nuclear program and could instead result in dangerous escalation of war in the Middle East. 'First of all, those B2 strikes with massive ordnance, penetrator bombs over Fordow, 90 metres underground, that likely wouldn't finish Iran's nuclear program,' he said. 'They'd probably scramble to take what they have left and actually move towards nuclear weapons. 'In the meantime, they're likely to strike out against US targets all around the Middle East and use their proxies to do so. 'So a very dangerous risk of escalation and a prolonged conflict.' When questioned about the validity of Netanyahu's claims about Iran's existential threat to Israel, Mr Barton said they were 'at odds' with other publicly available intelligence reports have said, including what Trump was briefed on by his own security adviser. Mr Barton highlighted Israel's remarkable capabilities at penetrating Iranian society and its defence apparatus, but noted other intelligence reports suggest 'Iran is some way off, it's not close at all' to building a nuclear weapon. 'It is possible they know something that no one else knows, but what all the other intelligence reports are saying is that Iran is some way off, it's not close at all,' he said. 'We can't know, we're sort of making a claim from Netanyahu who is desperate to involve Trump and America in this programme, and on balance you sort of want to be a bit sceptical about what he's saying for that reason.' Israel has been trading missiles with Iran since last Friday in an attempt to shut down any efforts of Tehran building an atomic weapon to wipe out the existence of the Jewish state. Netanyahu said the operations were to "strike the head of Iran's nuclear weaponisation program". White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told a media briefing on Thursday, local time, she had been asked to pass on a 'direct quote' from President Trump on the possibility of US intervention in the Israel-Iran war. 'Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' she said, quoting the President. Ms Leavitt also urged sceptics of US involvement to 'trust' in President Trump's judgement, before emphasising his 'top priority' was to prevent Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.
