US Military Launches Operation Midnight Hammer Against Iran
The Pentagon disclosed significant details about Operation Midnight Hammer on Sunday. This extensive and intricate mission targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites the day before, marking what officials describe as “the largest B-2 operation strike in US history.”
“The scale was intentionally restricted,” stated Defense Secretary Pete Hegses during a briefing with reporters.
General Dan Kane, the chair of the Co-State Chief of Staff, elaborated on the tactics and deception strategies employed in the strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities.
“Ruse” – Decoy Flight at Midnight
The operation commenced at 12:01 AM EST on Saturday, with B-2 stealth bombers launched from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Some bombers flew westward as decoys, which Kane described as “a deception effort known only to a select few planners and key leaders.”
Main Strike – An 18-Hour Journey
The primary strike involved a group of seven B-2 Spirit bombers, with two crew members each, flying quietly east for 18 hours with limited communication, according to Kane. The bombers were refueled several times during the mission, while also linking up with escort and support aircraft from Central Command.
Kane explained that this link-up required complex timing and coordination across various platforms within tight airspace, and all this was done with minimal communication.
Clearing the Path – 5 PM ET
At 5 PM ET, or 12:30 AM in Iran, US submarines launched over 20 Tomahawk cruise missiles at significant surface infrastructure targets just as the main strikes entered Iranian airspace. Additional deceptive tactics were utilized, deploying support aircraft to high altitudes and speeds ahead of the main strike group to neutralize threats from enemy aircraft and surface-to-air missiles.
As the B-2 group neared Fordow and Natanz, the support aircraft deployed high-speed suppression munitions to ensure safe passage. “We’re currently unaware of any hostile fire directed at the US strike package,” Kane informed reporters.
First Strike – 6:40 PM EST
The Fordow facility was targeted around 6:40 PM EST, which translated to roughly 2:10 AM in Iran. The lead bomber released two GBU-57 bombers, known as bunker busters, striking crucial sites in Fordow.
According to Kane, the total number of bombs dropped on Fordow and Natanz amounted to 14.
The last strike, delivered by a Tomahawk missile from a US submarine, hit a target in Isfahan.
Return Journey – Saturday to Sunday
After executing the strikes, the aircraft departed Iranian airspace and made their way back to Whiteman Air Force Base. Kane mentioned that US forces did not immediately detect any shots fired at them during their exit from Iranian airspace. “Iranian fighters were inactive, and it seems their surface-to-air missiles failed to detect us throughout the mission,” he noted, emphasizing the element of surprise.
Operation Midnight Hammer involved over 125 aircraft, including seven B-2 stealth bombers and various support planes, illustrating America’s extensive military capabilities.
Kane labeled the operation as “the largest B-2 operational strike in US history,” asserting that such a mission could not be replicated by other nations. He also mentioned that this operation was the second-longest B-2 mission ever, second only to those conducted shortly after 9/11.
