A Rather Impressive B2 Bomber Mission

[Jimbo357mag]

A rather interesting way for Obama to say goodbye to ISIS. I don't think there has been a B2 mission since 2011. Don't mess with the USA.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/19/b-2-bombers-strike-isis-in-libya.html

quote> The bombers took off from their permanent base in Missouri and refueled at least five times midair during the mission. The flight lasted about 30 hours. The planes flew around the world and back without landing.

The strikes used strategic nuclear-capable bombers as opposed to more conventional jets stationed in England in order to "send a strategic message" to other adversaries such as Russia and China, a source told Fox News. <end quote

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/01/20/b2-stealth-bombers-strike-isis-militants-libya-pentagon.html

quote> According to Air Force fact sheets, a B-2 costs $130,000 an hour to operate and the kits for the JDAMS cost more than $22,000 each. That would put the cost of the mission at more than $11 million, not counting the refueler flights and the costs of the Hellfire missiles.

Ryder echoed Carter in saying that the choice of the B-2s was not intended to send any particular message but was made because of the loiter time the B-2s have over a target and to "give commanders more flexibility." However, "anytime we use it [the B-2], there's certainly a message there. It sends the message to ISIL that we can reach out to you wherever you are in the world."

The Air Force has 20 B-2 bombers costing $1.1 billion apiece in its inventory, and all are based at Whiteman, Ryder said. The strikes Wednesday marked only the fifth time they have been used in combat since becoming operational in the 1990s. <end quote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-7nkk6YQBU

 

[Rei40c]

I saw it as last minute legacy building, a political stunt primarily. There is no logical reason to utilize B-2's against tents and trenches when the enemy has no credible high altitude air defense capability. They where used for the flash and attention the B-2 still brings to this day.

 

[mistermills357]

Is that a 2 man crew? One flies and one sleeps? It is a bad boy aircraft from what I know of it. President Obama did not have any love for the ISIS/Al Qaeda devils; that is one good point in his favor, but there weren't too many of them.

 

[mistermills357]

I double posted somehow.

 

[Rei40c]

Is that a 2 man crew? One flies and one sleeps? It is a bad boy aircraft from what I know of it. President Obama did not have any love for the ISIS/Al Qaeda devils; that is one good point in his favor, but there weren't too many of them.

Setting aside the absurdity of using B-2's for these types of missions. Don't you find it odd that these things have been flying around the flagpole the last several years, yet on the last day in office it's decided that B-2's are needed, and then are thrown into the fight?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I think it was sending a message to any rogue state that might want to test the new President. ...and that has happened. (think North Korea)

 

[Aqualung]

My former boss worked on the B2 Program while he was still in the USAF. He and a Colonel (he was CMSG) worked directly with Northrop-Grumman to ensure everything was to spec.

While the technological might of the B2 Spirit was definitely not needed to strike ISIS, it was an advertisement to the rest of the nation's that we'll fly over your country undetected and be able to strike. I'm sure they flew over some not-so-amiable nations, or even if they didnt, it probably has them checking their radar to see if they did...

I have a US flag that was flown on the Spirit of Pennsylvania.

Aqualung

 

[pisgah]

Is that a 2 man crew? One flies and one sleeps? It is a bad boy aircraft from what I know of it. President Obama did not have any love for the ISIS/Al Qaeda devils; that is one good point in his favor, but there weren't too many of them.

Standard crew complement is two, with provision for a third when the mission calls for it.

 

[Bull Barrel]

A friend of my son is a B2 pilot. Dont know if he flew this mission.

 

[wunbe]

Didn't the Obama recall all the cariers in the region awhile back? Maybe this was the only option left given the strain on remaining air assets there.

wunbe

 

[gramps]

Wow! 30 hours in the air. Do these aircraft have a refrig for edibles and bathroom facilities?
gramps

 

[Aqualung]

Wow! 30 hours in the air. Do these aircraft have a refrig for edibles and bathroom facilities?
gramps

They do, I believe.

That reminds me of the old story (may even be true... )

A USAF F-16 jockey was flying on a training sortie and came upon a USAF C-130 Hercules cargo plane. Not one to let the "prop washers" go without a little heckling, the fighter jockey keyed the mike.

"Hey you slowpokes...bet your plane can't do this!"

The pilot juked the fighter around in some high-speed, acrobatic maneuvers and then pulled back up on the Herkey's wing.

The Herkey pilot came over the radio.

"Hey, that's great. Watch this!"

The Hercules continued flying straight, level and constant speed. The fighter jock watched for 5 minutes of the level flight before getting on the radio again.

"What gives? You're just flying level without doing anything!"

The pilot came back on the radio.

"Maybe, but in that time, I got up, stretched my legs, took a leak, got a hot cup of coffee and a sandwich. Let's see you do that!"

Aqualung

 

[toysoldier]

I think it was sending a message to any rogue state that might want to test the new President. ...and that has happened. (think North Korea)

I think the best way to send a message to North Korea would be to have a stealth cruise missile take out the U.S.S. Pueblo, which sits at a dock as a trophy of the regime. Same thing for the former U.S. embassy in Tehran.

 

[Selena]

I think it was sending a message to any rogue state that might want to test the new President. ...and that has happened. (think North Korea)

I think the best way to send a message to North Korea would be to have a stealth cruise missile take out the U.S.S. Pueblo, which sits at a dock as a trophy of the regime. Same thing for the former U.S. embassy in Tehran.

I like the way you think, Toysoldier.

 

[gramps]

Thanks Aqualung. I got a belly laugh out that.
gramps