Global Journey Aboard the B-2 Spirit: 15 Tons of Explosives, 1 Mini Restroom Unveiled
The Thrill of the Daring B-2 Spirit: Navigating Through Steel and Sweat
It's not a scene straight out of a superhero flick, but the B-2 Spirit, a stealth bomber, pulling off a 37-hour nonstop world tour with a bomb load sounds just as action-packed. Behind this seemingly impossible feat? Simple necessities like filling up the gas tank, staying hydrated, and steering clear of storms. But don't be fooled; this ain't your ordinary vehicle ride.
Retired Air Force Col. Mel Deaile and his co-pilot Brian Neal broke the record when they completed an astounding 44.3-hour B-2 sortie in 2001, striking targets in Afghanistan with a mission named Operation Midnight Hammer. Inspiring yet another group of airmen to strap themselves into seven B-2 bombers, they aimed for Iranian nuclear sites in a bid to delay Tehran's nuclear weapon development efforts.
“It’s not about looking long-range, 'Hey, we’re going to Afghanistan,'" Deaile explained to Air & Space Forces Magazine." It’s more about making sure we get to the next air refueling on time. We can’t miss this air refueling, otherwise, this mission will be short-lived."
In June 2021, these hardy 14 airmen not only joined Deaile and Neal in the league of longest nonstop stealth bomber sorties, but also cemented themselves in history with Operation Midnight Hammer, the second-longest B-2 flight to date[3].
Packed tightly in a compact crew compartment of just 25 square feet, Deaile and his teammates fought against the ticking clock and their own bodies. Navigating through territory riddled with danger meant losing sleep, enduring constant vigilance, and working around the confines of the bomber's toilet. “There is no preparation, no simulator requirement for a 44-hour mission," Deaile admitted.
As they surged towards their targets, the precise warheads and radar could create target coordinates even more precise than the intel provided. But all the high-tech equipment in the world couldn't offer respite from the relentless need to stay hydrated. Draining multiple water bottles throughout the flight, the crew found a less-than-ideal solution in "piddle packs," plastic bags filled with a kitty litter-like substance that solidified urine.
“We’re filling up two piddle packs per hour, and piddle packs weigh so many pounds, so we were trying to figure out how many pounds of solidified pee we were going to have to offload from this aircraft when we finally landed,” Deaile confessed[4]. The gut-wrenching answer? About 100 pounds.
Rest was an elusive luxury, too. B-2 bombers have just two pilots for the entire mission, and squeezing sleep in was tough. One person usually napped in a sleeping bag atop a modified Army cot behind the ejection seats when the crew could finally catch some Z's.
“It wasn’t high-quality sleep," Deaile admitted," but at that point, any sleep is good sleep."
While prolonged periods in a cramped cockpit didn’t appeal to the senses, the crew pushed on, fueled by caffeine and snacks like sandwiches, pretzels, and pre-packaged meals[4]. But the lack of physical exertion left appetites dwindling.
“You’re not really burning calories," Deaile said.
The crews of Operation Midnight Hammer likely experienced a tougher time, having flown east into the darkness[4]. To stay focused, they might have turned to amphetamines called "go" pills, which boost alertness but cause an accelerated heart rate.
“It definitely accelerates the heart rate," Deaile admitted. "It is not a fun feeling."
The pilots of Operation Midnight Hammer were tasked with completing a high-profile, high-stakes mission ordered by the President[5]. They trained diligently for the mission, focusing on minimizing the chances of things going awry[5]. Their work paid off. The longest nonstop stealth bomber sorties are a testament to the power, endurance, and ingenuity of US airmen and their stealth warhorse, the B-2 Spirit[1][2][5].
[1] US Air Force, Whiteman Air Force Base[2] Global Security, B-2 Bomber[3] Defense News, USAF Breaks Record for Longest B-2 Flight[4] Smithsonian, How the B-2 Bomber Did a 44-Hour Flight[5] FOX News, US Flight: Inside the Secret Missions of B-2 Stealth Bombers
- The Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is no ordinary aircraft, as it demonstrated in a 37-hour nonstop world tour with a bomb load, a feat that requires refueling, hydration, and navigating clear of storms.
- In 2001, retired Air Force Col. Mel Deaile and his co-pilot Brian Neal broke a record by completing a 44.3-hour B-2 sortie, carrying out Operation Midnight Hammer targeting Afghanistan.
- Replicating such a feat, a group of 14 airmen performed a 44-hour nonstop stealth bomber sortie in June 2021, adding another milestone to Operation Midnight Hammer alongside Deaile and Neal.
- In the compact crew compartment of the B-2 bomber, pilots like Deaile and his teammates were confined to a space of 25 square feet, fighting the clock, their bodies' demands, and handling "piddle packs" for urine disposal during their expedition.
- During Operation Midnight Hammer, pilots were at the mercy of their surroundings, battling sleep deprivation, constant vigilance, and the physical challenges that come with prolonged stays in a cramped cockpit. They relied on caffeine, snacks, and possibly "go" pills to maintain their focus during the mission.
