Touchdown: B-2 Stealth Jets Return After Epic 11,500 Mile Journey To Bomb Libyan Aircraft Shelters

Daily Mail ^ | March 21, 2011 | By Richard Hartley-parkinson

[Fennie]

Six hero pilots return home safe and sound from a bombing mission to Libya which saw them in the cockpit for an incredible 25 hours.

Three B-2 Spirit bombers, piloted by two men each, made it back after the 11,418-mile round trip from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri - where they are kept in special hangars - to Libya, where they hit targets on forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi and back again.

At $2.1bn, they are the most expensive warplanes in the world and rarely leave their climate-controlled hangars. But when it does, the B-2 bomber makes a spectacularly effective start to a war - including during this weekend's aerial attack on Libya's air defences.

[americanophile]

I’m not even sure a cruise missle couldn’t have done it. if they need ‘practice’ then I guess it’s fine, but it does seem like overkill...no pun intended. I’m upset I wasn’t consulted, but I guess I’ll just let the USAF decide on this one.

[omega4179]

To create chaos and a power vacuum that Al Queda and the Muslim Brotherhood can exploit and fill in a critical oil bearing country.

[Soothesayer]

I agree with you to an extent but is there a limit to that oath? What if Obama orders attacks against US citizens on US soil?

and YES the American public would let it happen!

[verum ago]

Here's the great circle route, Whiteman AFB to Tripoli International:


I wouldn't be surprised if they bumped just a bit to the north to overfly France instead of Spain if Spain refused permission and to avoid Tunisia.

Even if they did nothing but aerial refuelings and took the shortest route it's still pretty darn impressive.
(Not to mention @$$-numbing)

[luvie]

[TSgt]

Consider that “Like” icon stolen! :)

[luvie]

It’s ok....I obviously stole it, too! LOL!

(Jim needs to get US one! LOL)

[TSgt]

It would save millions of posts! Just click “Like” but we would also need a “Dislike” button or one that says, “Go to DU.” LOL!

[luvie]

Sounds like a plan to me! Some posts don’t require lots of chat, for sure! LOL!

I like the “Dislike” idea! :)

[arderkrag]

Soldiers cannot be used against American citizens under federal law eept in severe cases of open military rebellion. If the soldiers are doing their duty (Protecting the Constitution), they would refuse such an order.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act

And you're part of the "public" that you apparently think would let it happen.

[idkfa]

Epic? Really? Weren’t they regularly making 40 hour round trip flights to Afghanistan and Iraq almost 10 years ago?

[Tea Party Reveler]

It’s all planned by computers anyway taking into account the weather and the Aerial Refueling Tracks out there. The route was many segments.

Once back in the 1990’s I helped support the B-52 strikes on Iraq during operation Desert Fox or Desert Strike —my memory fades but I watched the B-52’s (from Barksdale) take off from Guam. I watched them return 36 hours later. I also watched the B-52’s leaving Diego Garcia during the Tora Tora bombings in Jan 2002.

[smokingfrog]

For a 12 hr. flight, you might want to double-up on those.

[decisis]

Mission accomplished.

[decisis]

Mission accomplished.

[decisis]

Mission accomplished.

[mewykwistmas]

“A B-2 can also hit a multitude of targets in one mission. The Tomahawk has a submunition capability, but it’s nice to deliver 2,000 lb. per target. “

PLUS, the pilots do need the training

[NonValueAdded]

Have a complete toilet and food prep staion.

That's an odd combination. "Hey, this food tastes like ..."

[mewykwistmas]

“So, what was the expense to US taxpayers to bomb a sovereign state to secure oil for the Europeans.”

Oil is fungible. So if it’s about oil, it’s our oil too.

[smokingfrog]