How the B2 Bomber Flew a Record-Breaking Mission to Strike the Taliban
On October 7, 2001, the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom, a military campaign to overthrow the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and dismantle the al Qaeda terrorist network that was responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The operation involved a massive air campaign that targeted the Taliban’s military and political infrastructure, as well as al Qaeda’s training camps and hideouts.
One of the most remarkable feats of the air campaign was the 44 hour mission that was carried out by a B2 bomber, named Spirit of America, which flew from Missouri to Afghanistan and back, dropping 16 satellite-guided bombs on various targets along the way. It was the longest combat bombing mission in history at that time, and it showcased the B2’s unique capabilities of stealth, range, and precision.
The B2 Bomber: A Stealthy and Lethal Weapon
The B2 bomber is a strategic bomber that was developed by Northrop Grumman in the 1980s as part of the Advanced Technology Bomber program. The B2 is designed to penetrate enemy airspace undetected by radar and air defenses, and deliver nuclear or conventional weapons on high-value targets. The B2 has a distinctive flying-wing shape that reduces its radar cross-section, and is coated with a special material that absorbs radar waves. The B2 also has a low infrared signature, and uses advanced electronic warfare systems to jam or deceive enemy sensors.
The B2 can fly at subsonic speeds of up to Mach 0.95, and has a range of over 6,000 miles without refueling. The B2 can carry up to 40,000 pounds of weapons, including nuclear bombs, cruise missiles, gravity bombs, and smart bombs. The B2 can also carry the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a satellite-guided bomb that can hit targets with pinpoint accuracy from high altitudes.
The B2 is operated by a crew of two pilots, who sit in tandem in a pressurized cockpit. The cockpit is equipped with a toilet, a bed, and a microwave, to allow the pilots to endure long missions. The pilots also wear special suits and helmets that protect them from the high altitude and low pressure .
The B2 is one of the most expensive aircraft in the world, costing over $2 billion per unit. The US Air Force has 21 B2 bombers in service, based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
The Spirit of America: A Historic Flight
The Spirit of America was one of two B2 bombers assigned to strike targets in Afghanistan on the first night of Operation Enduring Freedom. The other B2 bomber was named Spirit of Indiana. The Spirit of America took off from Whiteman Air Force Base on October 7, 2001, with two pilots, Lt. Col. Doug Deaile and Maj. Brad Neal. The Spirit of America carried 16 JDAMs, each weighing 2,000 pounds.
The mission required multiple aerial refuelings from KC-10 and KC-135 tankers along the way. The pilots also had to cope with fatigue, boredom, and discomfort during the long flight. They had to stay alert and monitor their instruments, as well as communicate with their command center and other aircraft .
After crossing Iranian airspace, the Spirit of America entered Afghan airspace and released its first bomb at 12:30 a.m. local time on October 8, 2001. The target was a Taliban airfield near Kandahar, where al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was believed to be hiding. The bomb hit its mark.
The Spirit of America continued to strike other targets in Afghanistan, including command and control facilities, training camps, air defenses, and fuel depots. Some of the targets were designated by special forces on the ground, who communicated with the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) in Saudi Arabia via satellite phones. The CAOC relayed the coordinates to the B2 bomber through secure data links.
After dropping all 16 bombs, the Spirit of America headed to Diego Garcia, a British island in the Indian Ocean, where it landed after 44 hours and 20 minutes in the air . It was the longest combat bombing mission in history at that time. The B2 bomber was refueled and reloaded with another 16 JDAMs, and then took off again with a replacement crew for a return flight to Missouri. The round-trip flight lasted 70 hours and 40 minutes, another record for the B2 bomber.
The Impact of the Mission
The Spirit of America’s mission was a success, as it demonstrated the B2’s ability to strike anywhere in the world with precision and stealth. The B2 also delivered a significant portion of the total bomb tonnage on the first night of Operation Enduring Freedom, despite flying only two out of 50 sorties. The B2 would continue to play a vital role in subsequent operations in Afghanistan and other regions, such as Iraq and Libya.
