In the early hours of June 22, 2025, over 125 U.S. military aircraft took part in a coordinated operation codenamed Midnight Hammer. The mission focused on three high-priority nuclear facilities in Iran—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. At the center of the strike were seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers tasked with delivering fourteen 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, also known as "bunker busters."
A B-2 Spirit bomber readies for deployment at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri during preparations for Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER, June 2025. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force)
The B-2 bombers took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, home to the entire fleet of these advanced stealth aircraft. Located just south of Knob Noster, Whiteman is the headquarters of the 509th Bomb Wing, part of the Air Force Global Strike Command. The base has a long history, dating back to its origins as Sedalia Army Airfield in 1942, when it was used for glider training during World War II.
A B-2 Spirit lifts off from Whiteman Air Force Base in support of Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER, June 2025. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force)
The B-2s flew east for 18 hours under minimal communications, reaching their targets in the early morning. The bombs began dropping at 2:10 a.m. in a precision operation designed to neutralize deeply buried and fortified targets. Whiteman’s legacy as a key strategic base was once again on display, as its bombers carried out one of the most significant air strikes in recent history.
Returning from its mission, a B-2 Spirit touches down at Whiteman Air Force Base following Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER, June 2025. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force)
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