The US Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers which dropped massive bunker-buster bombs on three Iranian nuclear facilities arrived back at their Whiteman Air Force base in the Missouri province on Sunday (local time).Also Read: What are B-2 bombers used by US to strike Iran? Here’s why they’re key“B-2 Spirit bombers recently returned safely to Whiteman AFB, Mo., after a successful 36-hour mission to the @CENTCOM (United States Central Command) area of responsibility,” the US Strategic Command posted on X, and shared a video of a B-2 bomber landing at the Whiteman facility.The base, about 73 miles (117 kilometers) southeast of Kansas City, is home to the 509th Bomb Wing, the only US military unit which operates the B-2, which is more famous as the Stealth.The first group of four of the Stealth aircraft did a loop around the base before approaching a runway from the north, while a final group of three arrived within 10 minutes, according to the Associated Press.Also Read | B-2 bombers, ‘Bunker Busters’, Tomahawks: US joins Israel-Iran war; what weapons hit Iran’s nuclear sitesThe day before, the B-2s had been part of a wide-ranging plan involving deception and decoys to deliver what America’s military leaders believe is a “knockout blow” to Iran’s nuclear programme, which US ally Israel views as an “existential threat” and has been pummelling for more than a week.According to American officials, one group of the Stealth aircraft headed west from the base heartland on Saturday, as a decoy to throw off the Iranians.Another flight of seven B-2s quietly flew off eastward, ultimately executing in the Iran mission. Aided by refuelling tankers and fighter jets — some of which launched their own weapons — American pilots dropped 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs early Sunday local time in Iran on key nuclear plants in the Islamic Republic.Also Read: Microwave, toilet, refrigerator: Inside B-2 stealth bombers that flew 37 hours for Iran strikeAs per officials, the mission, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, carried out a “precision strike” and “devastated the Iranian nuclear programme,” even as they acknowledged an assessment was ongoing. For its part, Iran denied any significant damage had been done, and pledged to retaliate.
