Latest news with #DanielCaine
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- General
- Sky News AU
Inside the US B-2 bombers that had toilet, microwave and a snack cooler for pilots on their 37-hour Fordow bombing raid on Iran
The B-2 stealth bombers used to attack the Fordow nuclear enrichment plant are equipped with toilets, microwaves and usually a cooler for snacks to make life more comfortable for the pilots who were stuck in the cockpit for the 37-hour trip from Missouri to Iran and back. The fleet of advanced American bombers — originally designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union — took off from the Whiteman Air Force Base outside Kansas City on Friday for an 18-hour ride across the world, refueling several times in mid-air, officials said. For such long trips to be bearable, the high-tech bombers have their cockpits outfitted with mini refrigerators and a microwave oven to keep their crew fed and alert. And just like any plane equipped for long-haul flights, the B-2 Spirit has a toilet, too. There's also enough room for one pilot to lay down and rest while the other flies the batwing jet. The B-2 first entered service in 1997, and each one costs more than $2 billion; the US Air Force has a fleet of 19 — after losing one in a crash in 2008. With a wingspan of 172 feet and a crew of just two pilots — the B-2 relies on automation to help complete long-haul flights. The seven B-2 bombers deployed for operation 'Midnight Hammer' flew in near complete radio silence, with their two-man crews taking turns to sleep during the tense night, The Telegraph reported. The 37 hours spent to attack Fordow marked the longest B-2 bomber mission since the initial American assault on Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Pilots for these types of aircraft are trained to endure long, grueling flights, with past crews bringing cots aboard or even full camping pads, according to The Atlantic. The stealth bombers did not spend the entire mission alone. A fleet of fighter jets and support aircraft deployed to meet up with the B-2s as they approached Iran. '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,' Gen Daniel Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, touted in a statement. The 25-minute operation inside Iran began on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. ET, with a lead B-2 bomber dropping two GBU-57 'bunker buster' munitions on the 'first of several aim points at Fordow,' Caine said. 'The remaining bombers then hit their targets, as well, with a total of 14 MOPs (Massive Ordnance Penetrators) dropped against two nuclear target areas,' he added. It marked the first time that the US used the massive, 15-ton GBU-57 bunker buster bombs in a military attack. 'There is not another military in the world that could have done this,' President Trump wrote on Truth Social when revealing the attack on Iran. Originally published as Inside the US B-2 bombers that had toilet, microwave and a snack cooler for pilots on their 37-hour Fordow bombing raid on Iran
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Microwave, toilet, refrigerator: Inside B-2 stealth bombers that flew 37 hours for Iran strike
Seven B-2 bombers were deployed for Operation Midnight Hammer to destroy three nuclear plants in Iran in almost radio silence. They took off from the Whiteman Air Force Base outside Kansas City on Friday and flew 18 hours to enter Iran. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After demolishing their targets, the B-2s were on their way back home, unattached. The bombers refuelled several times mid-air, and as they are stealth bombers, they were virtually invisible to Oranian radar. B-2 bombers are equipped for such long-haul flights. There is enough room for one pilot to lie down while the other flies the plane. There is a toilet, a refrigerator and a microwave for snacks. The B-2 first entered service in 1997 and each one costs more than $2 billion; the US Air Force has a fleet of 19, after losing one in a crash in 2008. One of the B-2's most striking features is its unique design. Lacking a fuselage or tail, the aircraft is a flying wing, which necessitates highly precise control of its surfaces. With a wingspan of 172 feet and a crew of just two pilots — the B-2 relies on automation to help complete long-haul flights. The 37 hours spent to attack Fordow marked the longest B-2 bomber mission since the initial American assault on Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. There were layers of secrecy and minute planning behind every stage of the operation. While the B-2 bombers moved towards the east, a decoy group of B-2 bombers moved towards the west. As the attack bombers approached Iran, they were joined by support aircraft and a fleet of fighter jets. '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,' Gen Daniel Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in the Pentagon briefing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The lead B-2 bomber dropped two GBU-57 'bunker buster' munitions on the 'first of several aim points at Fordow." 'The remaining bombers then hit their targets, as well, with a total of 14 MOPs (Massive Ordnance Penetrators) dropped against two nuclear target areas,' Gen Caine added.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
US B-2 stealth bombers featured toilets, microwaves, mini refrigerators during 37-hour Fordow bombing raid
The B-2 stealth bombers that attacked Iran's Fordow nuclear facility site include microwaves, restrooms, and typically a refrigerator for snacks to make the pilots' lives more comfortable during the 37-hour flight from Missouri to Iran and then back to the US. The B-2 stealth bombers, designed for long missions, feature microwaves, restrooms, and refrigerators for pilot comfort during their 37-hour operation from Missouri to Iran.(REUTERS) According to sources, the fleet of cutting-edge American bombers, which were first built to deliver nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union, departed from Whiteman Air Force Base north of Kansas City on Friday for an 18-hour flight around the globe, refueling multiple times while in flight. The high-tech bombers' cockpits are equipped with microwave ovens and tiny refrigerators to keep their crews nourished and attentive throughout such lengthy flights. B-2 stealth bombers amenities Additionally, the B-2 Spirit features a toilet, much as any other aircraft designed for lengthy flights. Additionally, there is space for one pilot to relax and lie down while the other pilot controls the batwing jet. Each B-2 costs over $2 billion, and the US Air Force currently owns 19 of them after sacrificing one during a mishap in 2008. The B-2 was first used in service in 1997. With only two pilots and a wingspan of 172 feet, the B-2 depends on technology to assist it finish long-haul trips. The seven B-2 bombers that were sent out for operation 'Midnight Hammer' hovered in almost total radio silence all night long, with their two-man crews sleeping alternately, The Telegraph reported. Also Read: New York, other US cities on high alert: Map reveals nearest nuclear fallout shelter, bomb bunker locations 'Longest B-2 bomber operation' The strike on Fordow lasted 37 hours, the longest B-2 bomber operation since the first American attack of Afghanistan after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. According to The Atlantic, pilots operating these kinds of aircraft are prepared to withstand lengthy, taxing trips, and previous crews have even brought mattresses or even camping pads. The B-2s were approaching Iran when a flotilla of fighter jets and support aircraft arrived to meet them. In a statement, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Daniel Caine praised the B-2s for linking 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.' A lead B-2 bomber unleashed two GBU-57 'bunker buster' missiles on the 'first of several aim points at Fordow' at 6:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, starting the 25-minute mission inside Iran, according to Caine.
New York Post
9 hours ago
- General
- New York Post
B-2 bomber pilots had toilet, microwave and a cooler for snacks on their 37-hour Fordow bombing raid
The B-2 stealth bombers used to attack the Fordow nuclear enrichment plant are equipped with toilets, microwaves and usually a cooler for snacks to make life more comfortable for the pilots who were stuck in the cockpit for the 37-hour trip from Missouri to Iran and back. The fleet of advanced American bombers — originally designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union — took off from the Whiteman Air Force Base outside Kansas City on Friday for an 18 hour ride across the world, refueling several times in mid-air, officials said. For such long trips to be bearable, the high-tech bombers have their cockpits outfitted with mini refrigerators and a microwave oven to keep its crew fed an alert. 5 Pilots aboard the seven B2 stealth bombers used to attack Iran flew for 37, nonstop hours during the longest mission for the planes since 2001. Department of Defense 5 The bombers are equipped with small coolers, a microwave oven and bathrooms to accommodate the crew during long-duration flights. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Scott H. Spitzer And just like any plane equipped for long-haul flights, the B-2 Spirit has a toilet, too. There's also enough room for one pilot to lay down and rest while the other flies the batwing jet. The B-2 first entered service 1997 and each one costs more than $2 billion; the US Air Force has a fleet of 19 — after losing one in a crash in 2008. With a wingspan of 172 feet and a crew of just two pilots — the B-2 relies on automation to help complete long-haul flights. The seven B-2 bombers deployed for operation 'Midnight Hammer' flew in near complete radio silence, with their two-man crews taking turns to sleep during the tense night, The Telegraph reported. The 37-hours spent to attack Fordow marked the longest B-2 bomber mission since the initial American assault on Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Pilots for these types of aircraft are trained to endure long, grueling flights, with past crews bringing cots aboard or even full camping pads, according to The Atlantic. 5 The pilots for operation 'Midnight Hammer' reportedly took turns sleeping as they flew to Iran. U.S. Air Force 5 The seven bombers met up with a crew of fighter jets and support aircraft to escort them to Iran's nuclear labs. Getty Images The stealth bombers did not spend the entire mission alone. A fleet of fighter jets and support aircraft deployed to meet up with the B-2s as they approached Iran. '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,' Gen Daniel Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, touted in a statement. The 25-minute operation inside Iran began on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. ET, with a lead B-2 bomber dropping two GBU-57 'bunker buster' munitions on the 'first of several aim points at Fordow,' Caine said. 5 Aerial view of the Fordow underground complex in Iran after the American airstrikes. MAXAR Technologies 'The remaining bombers then hit their targets, as well, with a total of 14 MOPs (Massive Ordnance Penetrators) dropped against two nuclear target areas,' he added. It marked the first time that the US used the massive, 15-ton GBU-57 bunker buster bombs in a military attack. 'There is not another military in the world that could have done this,' President Trump wrote on Truth Social when revealing the attack on Iran.
