American B-2 stealth bombers, which cannot be detected by radar, took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, supported in the air by eight KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft, seemingly heading towards Diego Garcia, a strategic US military base located in the Indian Ocean.
Flight tracking data shows that two groups of four tanker aircraft connected with the bombers above the state of Kansas. The B-2 aircraft used the radio call sign „MYTEE21,” previously associated with stealth bomber missions, as reported by the UK Defence Journal.
Signs of an Extended-Range Operation
The movement takes place in the context of a broader repositioning of US military forces towards Europe and the Middle East. In recent weeks, dozens of American aircraft - including fighter jets, refueling aircraft, and surveillance aircraft - have been deployed to the region.
Two US Navy aircraft carriers are also operating forward, along with other naval and aerial assets.
The B-2 Spirit is designed for long-range attack missions and is capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons. It is the only American aircraft specifically designed to penetrate heavily defended targets, such as underground facilities.
The presence of eight refueling aircraft supporting the mission indicates an extended-range operation. Although the US Department of Defense has not officially confirmed the destination or objective, the scale and coordination of the flight suggest a planned deployment.
Currently, there are no indications of an imminent attack. However, the timing of this movement is significant, given the current tensions related to the Iranian nuclear program and the positioning of the US in the region.
The Aircraft Capable of Destroying the Fordow Facility
The B-2 Spirit is a long-range strategic bomber operated by the US Air Force. It is designed to penetrate advanced air defense systems and deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons. The aircraft can fly over 6,000 nautical miles without refueling and can internally carry up to 40,000 pounds of munitions.
Its stealth profile allows it to evade radar detection, making it suitable for high-risk missions against well-defended targets.
The B-2 is equipped to carry the precision-guided GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, designed to destroy deeply buried targets. This 30,000-pound weapon can penetrate layers of soil, rock, and reinforced concrete before detonating.
The bomber can carry two such munitions simultaneously, allowing it to strike fortified structures in a single mission.
Several Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow facility, are located underground and protected by layers of reinforced materials. These sites are considered to be beyond the range of most air-launched weapons, except those carried by aircraft like the B-2.