B-2 bomber pilots had toilet, microwave and a cooler for snacks on their 37-hour Fordow bombing raid

NY Post ^ | 6/22/2025 | Ronny Reyes

[marcusmaximus]

The B-2 stealth bombers used to attack the Fordow nuclear enrichment plant are equipped with toilets, microwaves and usually a cooler for snacks to make life more comfortable for the pilots who were stuck in the cockpit for the 37-hour trip from Missouri to Iran and back.

The fleet of advanced American bombers — originally designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union — took off from the Whiteman Air Force Base outside Kansas City on Friday for an 18 hour ride across the world, refueling several times in mid-air, officials said.

For such long trips to be bearable, the high-tech bombers have their cockpits outfitted with mini refrigerators and a microwave oven to keep its crew fed an alert.

And just like any plane equipped for long-haul flights, the B-2 Spirit has a toilet, too.

There’s also enough room for one pilot to lay down and rest while the other flies the batwing jet.

The B-2 first entered service 1997 and each one costs more than $2 billion; the US Air Force has a fleet of 19 — after losing one in a crash in 2008.

With a wingspan of 172 feet and a crew of just two pilots — the B-2 relies on automation to help complete long-haul flights.

The seven B-2 bombers deployed for operation “Midnight Hammer” flew in near complete radio silence, with their two-man crews taking turns to sleep during the tense night, The Telegraph reported.

The 37-hours spent to attack Fordow marked the longest B-2 bomber mission since the initial American assault on Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Pilots for these types of aircraft are trained to endure long, grueling flights, with past crews bringing cots aboard or even full camping pads, according to The Atlantic.

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: b2; b2landing; fordow; knobnoster; midnighthammer; missouri; spirit

[Huskrrrr]

Did the empty the toilet over Iran?

[Salamander]

And shiatsu chairs.

[Macho MAGA Man]

The B-36 Peacemaker had a cooking oven and 6 bunks for the crew to sleep in during missions.

[Macho MAGA Man]

(The B-36 Peacemaker had a cooking oven and 6 bunks for the crew to sleep in during missions.)

And a toilet too!

[GingisK]

AH, ye ‘ole Magnesium Overcast.

[Lurker]

“ to keep its crew fed an alert”

They ate an alert?

L

[al baby]

and a place to rub one or two out

[oldtech]

If they did it right, they could empty the toilet so the contents go down with the bomb. The enemy would likely be busy at the time, but they could notify them afterwards.

[Rio]

How many re-fueling ops in a 37-hour mission?

[House Atreides]

“ It’s the Air Force, I bet the snacks were excellent.”
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I agree. Sign me…’Envious Former Groundpounder’.