The B-2 bomber pilots and crews who helped to strike Iranian nuclear websites earlier this month are being instructed to maintain a low profile this weekend in the event that they take up President Donald Trump on his provide to come back to the White Home on Friday on the July Fourth vacation.
Trump insists the pilots “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program solely throughout a June 21 bombing mission and that the B-2 pilots have been “devastated” by news reports that questioned his assessment.
Insisting the pilots must be feted as heroes, Trump invited them and their crews to rejoice the July 4 vacation in Washington, which the White Home mentioned would come with flyovers with B-2 bombers, in addition to F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, which have been additionally a part of the latest bombing operation.
A U.S. Air Drive B-2 Spirit takes off to help Operation Midnight Hammer at Whiteman Air Drive Base, Missouri, June 2025.
509th Bomb Wing/USAF
Officers say although that as of Wednesday no public ceremony is deliberate and the pilots’ identities are usually not being disclosed for safety causes.
“Our adversaries are expert at exploiting the digital realm, gathering and analyzing open-source info, and leveraging superior applied sciences to focus on U.S. navy personnel, operations and actions,” based on an Air Drive assertion.
President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, June 20, 2025.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
“Airmen concerned in delicate missions are briefed on the dangers and vulnerabilities posed by the altering info surroundings to help in managing the general public launch of knowledge in a fashion that protects the security and safety of personnel and property,” the assertion added.
In keeping with the Pentagon, the 14 pilots aboard seven B-2 Spirit bombers flew greater than 36 hours straight from Whiteman Air Drive Base in Missouri as a part of “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
Satellite tv for pc photos launched by Maxar Applied sciences present harm to the Fordo nuclear facility in Iran following U.S. strikes.
Satellite tv for pc picture ©2025 Maxar Applied sciences.
The pilots dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs on the Fordo and Natanz nuclear websites in Iran. A 3rd website, Isfahan, was struck by Tomahawk missiles.
Within the instant hours following the assault, the Protection Intelligence Company produced an early evaluation estimating that the websites endured vital harm however estimated that Iran’s nuclear program was set again by “months.”
In keeping with the 2 folks aware of the categorised report, the bombing sealed off the entrances to 2 of the three nuclear websites focused within the assault however that many of the harm was performed to constructions above floor, leaving the decrease constructions intact.
This undated photograph handout image from the US Division of Protection exhibits a US B-2 bomber in flight at an undisclosed location. US stealth bombers have been flying on June 21, 2025 throughout the Pacific Ocean, based on monitoring information and media reviews, fueling hypothesis over their meant mission as President Donald Trump considers becoming a member of Israel’s assault on Iranian nuclear websites.
USAF by way of AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe later mentioned “new intelligence” discovered the bombing marketing campaign set this system again by years.
The disclosure of the DIA findings, first reported by CNN, enraged Trump who mentioned the pilots have been “devastated.”
“You recognize, I acquired a name from Missouri — nice state that I gained 3 times by so much,” Trump mentioned. “And I acquired a name that the pilots and the folks on the airplane have been devastated as a result of they [the press] have been attempting to reduce the assault … I spoke to considered one of them [who] mentioned, ‘sir, we hit the positioning. It was good. It was lifeless on.”
“As a result of they do not perceive pretend information, as a result of they’ve a standard life besides they need to fly very massive, very quick planes. Nevertheless it’s a disgrace. You have to be making them heroes,” Trump mentioned.
