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NDTV
04-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
B-2 Mystery After Iran Strikes: Where Is The US Stealth Bomber
New Delhi: A US Air Force bombing operation targeting Iran's nuclear facilities has taken an unexpected turn. One group of the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers involved has reportedly not returned to base, raising questions about its whereabouts. The US deployed two separate groups of B-2 bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on June 21. One formation flew westward over the Pacific — reportedly to mislead Iranian defences — while the second formation, consisting of seven B-2s, headed east to strike Tehran's underground nuclear facilities at Fordo and Natanz, according to a EurAsian Times report published on June 27. The strike team completed its mission and returned to base after a non-stop 37-hour round trip. But little is known about the decoy team that flew towards the Pacific. What has emerged, however, is that at least one aircraft from that group was forced to make an emergency landing in Hawaii. The stealth bomber in question reportedly touched down at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, which shares runways with Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu. A video of the aircraft surfaced online, adding to the mystery surrounding its condition and the exact reason for its diversion and landing. B2 Stealth bomber sitting alone and guarded in Honolulu International. Just captured this on the taxi out. No reports online of a B2 here. This is the closest I've been to one. @grok says: There are no reports of a B-2 stealth bomber currently stationed or 'sitting' at Daniel… — David Martin (@Sir_DavidMartin) June 24, 2025 No details have been released regarding the nature of the emergency or how long the stealth bomber might remain grounded. This incident is not isolated. B-2 bombers have made unplanned landings in Hawaii before as well. In April 2023, a similar emergency landing occurred at Hickam, prompting the temporary grounding of the entire B-2 fleet after a separate crash in Missouri in late 2022. The aircraft involved in the April incident remained in Hawaii for weeks before being cleared. Another B-2 had to be transported to Northrop Grumman's facility in Palmdale, California, for repairs in 2021 following a similar incident. But the most severe B-2 mishap occurred in 2008, when the 'Spirit of Kansas' crashed shortly after takeoff from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. The aircraft was destroyed, though both crew members ejected safely. The B-2 Spirit bombers, a key part of the US nuclear deterrent strategy, are known for their cutting-edge stealth technology and flexible mission capabilities.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
The mystery of the missing B-2 Stealth bomber that hammered Iran's nuke sites but never made it home
Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A shadow of mystery now surrounds the U.S. Air Force 's recent B-2 Spirit bombing mission over Iran, as one of the stealth bombers remains unaccounted for following a high-stakes operation that targeted Iran's key nuclear sites earlier this to EurAsian Times, two groups of B-2 bombers departed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on June 21. While one group flew west over the Pacific Ocean—apparently as a diversionary maneuver—the second group, comprising seven B-2s, headed east and successfully carried out precision strikes on Iran's Fordo and Natanz nuclear facilities, deploying 14 GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs. That group completed a grueling 37-hour round trip and safely returned to the fate of the first group remains largely unknown. Reports now suggest that at least one B-2 from the decoy squadron made an emergency landing at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, which shares a runway with Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. The stealth bomber, using the callsign MYTEE 14, reportedly diverted due to an undisclosed emergency and has been grounded there ever since.A video of the stranded bomber, posted by former pilot David Martin (@Sir_DavidMartin), has surfaced online, further fueling speculation. The nature of the technical malfunction and the timeline for repairs remain incident isn't the first time a B-2 has made an unplanned stop in Hawaii. In April 2023, another B-2 made an emergency landing at Hickam, following a major safety stand-down after a December 2022 crash at Whiteman AFB. That earlier crash, caused by an in-flight malfunction, resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway and briefly catching at over $2 billion each, the B-2 Spirit bomber is a crown jewel of the U.S. Air Force's strategic deterrent, with only 19 units remaining in service. Its bat-like silhouette and stealth capabilities allow it to penetrate heavily defended airspace Iran bombing run, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, marked one of the longest B-2 missions in recent memory. With radio silence maintained throughout, pilots relied on advanced cockpit systems and in-flight rest strategies to endure the nearly two-day questions mount about the downed stealth bomber in Hawaii, U.S. officials remain tight-lipped, adding yet another layer to the enigma surrounding America's most secretive aircraft.
