Operation Midnight Hammer, as detailed by the Pentagon, marked a significant milestone in the U.S. military’s strategic deployment and operational capability. The strike, which targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—was executed using seven B-2 stealth bombers, each with a crew of two. The B-2s embarked from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, with some aircraft flying westward into the Pacific as a decoy to mislead potential enemy tracking. The main strike force of seven bombers, flying silently under the cover of darkness, undertook an 18-hour flight to the target area, highlighting the operation’s scale and complexity.
Despite the long duration of the flight, the B-2s were refueled multiple times in mid-air and coordinated with Central Command’s support aircraft, which ensured their safe passage through potentially hostile airspace. The mission’s deception efforts extended beyond just the bombers, as support aircraft flew ahead to detect any threats and ensure a clear path for the strike group. This level of coordination, involving over 125 aircraft, including multiple generations of fighters, refueling tankers, and specialized reconnaissance and intelligence assets, underscored the sophistication of the mission. The operation’s success was further highlighted by the unprecedented use of the GBU 57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a weapon weighing 30,000 pounds, which was deployed for the first time in an operational strike.
According to General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the strike was executed with remarkable precision and maintained an element of surprise throughout. The U.S. military was not immediately aware of any engagement with Iranian defenses, noting that the enemy did not respond in any significant way. This lack of retaliation, combined with the extensive damage inflicted on the targeted sites, was described as an ‘incredible and overwhelming success.’ Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the capabilities of the U.S. military and the meticulous planning that enabled such a massive operation to be executed in a short timeframe.
Operation Midnight Hammer was not only a testament to the technological and strategic prowess of the U.S. military but also a demonstration of its global reach and adaptability. The mission’s complexity, involving a combination of stealth technology, long-range strike capabilities, and precise coordination across multiple platforms, represented a new level of military operation. The Pentagon’s detailed account of the strike underscored the United States’ continued strategic interest in countering nuclear proliferation and ensuring global security through its military superiority.