Those Long-Flying Airmen in Their B-2s

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

B-2 bomber crews deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, turned around within a few days to test their long-duration sortie capability. The mission—dubbed “Polar Lightning”—required a two-ship formation to complete a mission at a training range in Alaska, resulting in a 9,800 nautical mile round trip from Andersen. Typical combat missions for the B-2 last 30 hours, according to unit officials. Air Force journalist TSgt. Mikal Canfield reports that mission preparation includes everything from aerial refueling arrangements to the rest plan and high-protein meals needed by the pilots.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org