An unspecified number of US Air Force (USAF) Boeing B-1B Lancer long-range bombers flew an intercontinental combat mission from Dyess AFB in Texas to strike targets in Iraq and Syria on 2 February.
The sorties marked the opening salvo in a retaliatory air campaign against Iran-affiliated militant groups the Pentagon says were involved in the deaths of three US Army personnel in Jordan on 28 January.
That incident involved an explosively-armed one-way uncrewed aerial vehicle being crashed into a troop barracks at the remote desert outpost known as Tower 22.
Washington says long-range bombers flying from the continental USA, now confirmed as B-1Bs, participated in the 2 February strikes, which hit 85 targets with 125 precision munitions.
The USAF subsequently released photos of the ultra-long-range Lancer mission, including pre-flight maintenance, ordnance loading and sortie take-off from Dyess AFB in the early hours of 1 February local time.
The supersonic B-1B is the USAF’s platform of choice for long-range conventional strike missions. The service lists the B-1B’s range as “intercontinental”.
Each Lancer carries a payload of 34,020kg (75,000lb) – equivalent to 84 of the USAF’s Mk82 226kg general purpose bombs or 15 GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition guided bombs.
At least two Boeing B-1B bombers flying from Dyess AFB in Texas participated in the USA's 2 February strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria
Source: US Air Force
At least two Boeing B-1B bombers flying from Dyess AFB in Texas participated in the USA's 2 February strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria
Source: US Air Force
Each B-1B Lancer bomber carries a crew of four personnel, including the pilot-in-command, co-pilot and two combat systems officers
Source: US Air Force
The supersonic Lancer is the US Air Force's platform of choice for ultra-long-range strike missions. The service lists the B-1B's range only as intercontinental
Source: US Air Force
While the B-1B is not configured to carry nuclear weapons, the variable-sweep type's boasts a formidable payload of 34,019kg (75,000lb) -- which equates to 84 of the USAF's Mk-82 500lb bombs
Source: US Air Force
B-1B crews and support personnel spent several days at Dyess AFB preparing for the transoceanic sortie
Source: US Air Force
B-1B crews and support personnel spent several days at Dyess AFB preparing for the transoceanic sortie
Source: US Air Force
B-1B crews and support personnel spent several days at Dyess AFB preparing for the transoceanic sortie
Source: US Air Force
US Air Force ordinance specialists prepared Joint Direct Attack Munition precision-guided bombs for the B-1B strike mission on 31 January, the day before launch
Source: US Air Force
US Air Force ordinance specialists prepared Joint Direct Attack Munition precision-guided bombs for the B-1B strike mission on 31 January, the day before launch
Source: US Air Force
The Pentagon says more than 125 precision munitions were used in the 2 February strikes, with all being delivered by the USAF. Previous strikes featured cruise missiles launched from US Navy vessels deployed in the region
Source: US Air Force
Air Force support personnel conducted pre-flight maintenance on the mission Lancers on 1 January, the day prior to launch
Source: US Air Force
Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas, is one of two bases housing B-1B Lancer bombers, with the other being Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota
Source: US Air Force
The Lancers that flew the 2 February combat mission are permanently assigned to Ellsworth AFB, but flew from Dyess while the USAF investigates a catastrophic B-1B crash at Ellsworth on 5 January
Ryan FinnertyRyan Finnerty is the Americas defence reporter for FlightGlobal.com and Flight International magazine, covering military aviation and the defence industry. He is a former United States Army officer and previously reported for America’s National Public Radio system in New York and Hawaii covering energy, economics and military affairs.View full Profile
The US Air Force has released images of the developmental Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider strategic bomber in flight, as it maintains that the programme is on track.
After recalling a decommissioned Boeing B-1B bomber to service, US Air Force technicians restored the supersonic aircraft to flying condition at the Davis-Monthan AFB “boneyard” before a transfer to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma for a full overhaul and modernisation.
The US Air Force is continuing with plans to retire its ageing fleet of Fairchild Republic A-10 ground-attack jets, including the withdrawal of its forward stationed squadron from South Korea in 2025.
Boeing B-52H heavy bombers with the US Air Force are currently on rotational duty in the UK for one of the Pentagon’s regular bomber task force missions, training with European members of the NATO alliance.
Factory work is underway in Marietta, Georgia on the first of three C-130J airframes that Lockheed Martin will deliver to the US Navy as E-130s – a new type meant to replace ageing Boeing E-6B Mercury airborne command post jets.
