B-2 Mystery After Iran Strikes: Where Is The US Stealth Bomber

New Delhi:

A US Air Force bombing operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities has taken an unexpected turn. One group of the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers involved has reportedly not returned to base, raising questions about its whereabouts.

The US deployed two separate groups of B-2 bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on June 21. One formation flew westward over the Pacific — reportedly to mislead Iranian defences — while the second formation, consisting of seven B-2s, headed east to strike Tehran’s underground nuclear facilities at Fordo and Natanz, according to a EurAsian Times report published on June 27.

The strike team completed its mission and returned to base after a non-stop 37-hour round trip. But little is known about the decoy team that flew towards the Pacific.

What has emerged, however, is that at least one aircraft from that group was forced to make an emergency landing in Hawaii.

The stealth bomber in question reportedly touched down at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, which shares runways with Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu. A video of the aircraft surfaced online, adding to the mystery surrounding its condition and the exact