An unspecified number of US Air Force (USAF) Boeing B-1B Lancer long-range bombers flew an intercontinental combat mission from Dyess AFB in Texas to strike targets in Iraq and Syria on 2 February.
The sorties marked the opening salvo in a retaliatory air campaign against Iran-affiliated militant groups the Pentagon says were involved in the deaths of three US Army personnel in Jordan on 28 January.
That incident involved an explosively-armed one-way uncrewed aerial vehicle being crashed into a troop barracks at the remote desert outpost known as Tower 22.
Washington says long-range bombers flying from the continental USA, now confirmed as B-1Bs, participated in the 2 February strikes, which hit 85 targets with 125 precision munitions.
The USAF subsequently released photos of the ultra-long-range Lancer mission, including pre-flight maintenance, ordnance loading and sortie take-off from Dyess AFB in the early hours of 1 February local time.
The supersonic B-1B is the USAF’s platform of choice for long-range conventional strike missions. The service lists the B-1B’s range as “intercontinental”.
Each Lancer carries a payload of 34,020kg (75,000lb) – equivalent to 84 of the USAF’s Mk82 226kg general purpose bombs or 15 GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition guided bombs.
At least two Boeing B-1B bombers flying from Dyess AFB in Texas participated in the USA's 2 February strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria
Source: US Air Force
At least two Boeing B-1B bombers flying from Dyess AFB in Texas participated in the USA's 2 February strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria
Source: US Air Force
Each B-1B Lancer bomber carries a crew of four personnel, including the pilot-in-command, co-pilot and two combat systems officers
Source: US Air Force
The supersonic Lancer is the US Air Force's platform of choice for ultra-long-range strike missions. The service lists the B-1B's range only as intercontinental
Source: US Air Force
While the B-1B is not configured to carry nuclear weapons, the variable-sweep type's boasts a formidable payload of 34,019kg (75,000lb) -- which equates to 84 of the USAF's Mk-82 500lb bombs
Source: US Air Force
B-1B crews and support personnel spent several days at Dyess AFB preparing for the transoceanic sortie
Source: US Air Force
B-1B crews and support personnel spent several days at Dyess AFB preparing for the transoceanic sortie
Source: US Air Force
B-1B crews and support personnel spent several days at Dyess AFB preparing for the transoceanic sortie
Source: US Air Force
US Air Force ordinance specialists prepared Joint Direct Attack Munition precision-guided bombs for the B-1B strike mission on 31 January, the day before launch
Source: US Air Force
US Air Force ordinance specialists prepared Joint Direct Attack Munition precision-guided bombs for the B-1B strike mission on 31 January, the day before launch
Source: US Air Force
The Pentagon says more than 125 precision munitions were used in the 2 February strikes, with all being delivered by the USAF. Previous strikes featured cruise missiles launched from US Navy vessels deployed in the region
Source: US Air Force
Air Force support personnel conducted pre-flight maintenance on the mission Lancers on 1 January, the day prior to launch
Source: US Air Force
Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas, is one of two bases housing B-1B Lancer bombers, with the other being Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota
Source: US Air Force
The Lancers that flew the 2 February combat mission are permanently assigned to Ellsworth AFB, but flew from Dyess while the USAF investigates a catastrophic B-1B crash at Ellsworth on 5 January
Ryan FinnertyRyan Finnerty is the Americas defence reporter for FlightGlobal.com and Flight International magazine, covering military aviation and the defence industry. He is a former United States Army officer and previously reported for America’s National Public Radio system in New York and Hawaii covering energy, economics and military affairs.View full Profile
After recalling a decommissioned Boeing B-1B bomber to service, US Air Force technicians restored the supersonic aircraft to flying condition at the Davis-Monthan AFB “boneyard” before a transfer to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma for a full overhaul and modernisation.
American aircraft, including long-range bombers flying from US territory, struck over 85 targets across Iraq and Syria as Washington began a retaliatory campaign against Iran-affiliated militia groups responsible for the recent deaths of three US soldiers.
Officially known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, the new aircraft will replace the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch jet capable of commanding the USA’s nuclear arsenal.
Described by the American space agency as the “largest flying science laboratory in the world”, the modified DC-8 airliner was in service with NASA for 37 years, supporting a wide range of scientific missions with a configurable sensor package.
The flight, which incorporated nearly two-thirds of the stealth bomber fleet, was part of annual drills meant to test the US Air Force’s ability to generate sorties with Washington’s only nuclear-capable bomber capable of penetrating modern air defences.
