It was the longest bombing run for the B-2 fleet since the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. It completed it with precision and lethality. Operation Midnight Hammer was executed on June 21, and the nuclear facilities of Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow were struck. The damage is reportedly immense; it’s a job well done. On Sunday, the fleet was spotted over the Jersey Shore en route to its home base in Missouri. Welcome home, patriots—and thank you.
The fleet carried the much-feared GBU-57 (Massive Ordinance Penetrator) or “bunker buster” bombs, each weighing 30,000 pounds. Only this aircraft can deliver such a system, which it did unmolested by Iranian air defenses. Iranian jets didn’t even take off. That could be because they never saw them. It could also be that they knew it was hopeless. Iran’s jets have remained grounded during Israel’s air campaign as well; they know it’s not worth it.
These forces penetrated Iranian airspace and rarely broke radio silence on their 36-plus hour mission (via NY Post):
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 Whiteman Air Force Base outside Kansas City on Friday for an 18-hour ride across the world, refueling several times in midair, 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.
[…]
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 sleeping during the tense night, the Telegraph reported.
[…]
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,” Lt. Gen. Daniel Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, touted in a statement.
They made it back home yesterday:
🚨NOW: A B-2 Bomber returns to the MO Whiteman Air Force Base after 'Operation Midnight Hammer.'
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 22, 2025
God Bless our troops ❤️pic.twitter.com/zqU5O6BzKf
Welcome home boys! https://t.co/rDtndklpf3
— DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) June 22, 2025
WATCH: Fox News explains how 'Operation Midnight Hammer' was carried out
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 23, 2025
pic.twitter.com/5I2nzwmm1m
Returning B2 flight changes frequencies near the East Coast: “BATT11 contact Washington Center 133.12, and thank you guys for your service.” 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Aaron (@RealAaronGoren) June 22, 2025
Thanks to @SirListenalot for finding this one. pic.twitter.com/YV5fsAt4bc
Some were spotted over Wildwood, New Jersey.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 SALUTE THESE HEROS! B2 bombers spotted over Wildwood New Jersey in their return flight after bombing Iranian nuclear facilities. Salute our military and these incredible pilots who are in the air for MORE THAN 30 HOURS! pic.twitter.com/FxkgOFs4L6
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 22, 2025
Well done, boys. Well done.
