BONEs Over the Middle East: B-1 Bombers Fly 3 Missions in 8 Days for CENTCOM

Nov. 15, 2023 | By Greg Hadley

U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers have flown missions over the Middle East three times in the last week and a half amid U.S. military activity and widespread unrest in the region.

When the first B-1 flight took place Nov. 5, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder emphasized that it was a “long-planned Bomber Task Force mission” as part of the BTF rotation out of RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, which began Oct. 13.

“It’s important to differentiate the Bomber Task Force mission from the current situation in the Middle East,” Ryder said. at the time. U.S. troops have been attacked more than 50 times in the last month by Iranian-backed militias, as the entire region is on edge in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

U.S. Central Command subsequently announced a second B-1 flight took place Nov. 8, with the bomber from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, escorted by F-16 fighters. Released images showed the fighters as belonging to the 138th Fighter Wing of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. The Tulsa-based Vipers are one of three F-16 squadrons in the region.

On November 8, 2023, and for the second time in three days, a U.S. B-1 Lancer conducted a mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. U.S. F-16s escorted the bomber. pic.twitter.com/VsXYPyEWsZ
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 8, 2023

A third flight occurred Nov. 13, with the B-1 getting refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard.

For the third time in eight days, B-1 Lancers conducted missions in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility demonstrating the ability to rapidly project combat power. pic.twitter.com/uRk5qRYVfC
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 13, 2023

CENTCOM offered few details on the flights, merely stating that the missions showed “the ability to rapidly project combat power” while noting their frequency. No locations were disclosed.

In a social media post, Air Forces Central called the Nov. 13 flight “a regularly scheduled Bomber Task Force mission.”

It is not unusual for bombers deployed to Europe as part of a Bomber Task Force rotation to conduct missions over the Middle East. In June, B-1s from a BTF deploying to Europe conducted live-fire exercises at ranges in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. In March, a B-52 flew alongside fighter escort aircraft from seven different nations during a flight over the region.

However, three announced flights in eight days marks the most by a bomber task force in CENTCOM’s area of responsibility in recent years.

The U.S. has also surged other assets to the region in recent weeks, including additional attack and fighter squadrons, two aircraft carriers—the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea and the USS Gerald R. Ford in the eastern Mediterranean Sea—and an Ohio-class cruise missile submarine in the Suez Canel.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker as part of a regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 13, 2023. BTF missions actively enable bombers to operate with greater operational resilience from various overseas and continental U.S. locations, supporting the National Defense Strategy objectives of building enduring advantages and integrated deterrence in the USCENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero)

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker during air refueling operations as part of a regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 13, 2023. The regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force mission enhances the high-end readiness of the bomber force by advancing interoperability with other regional allies and partners in the USCENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero)

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer flies over the Arabian Peninsula as part of a regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 13, 2023. BTF operations are routinely conducted across the world, showcasing the Air Force’s unique ability to rapidly field and deploy forces at any time as part of the Agile Combat Employment concept. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero)

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer flies during a Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 13, 2023. The regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force mission enhances the high-end readiness of the bomber force by advancing interoperability with other regional allies and partners in the USCENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero)

U.S. Airmen conduct air refueling operations as part of a regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 13, 2023. BTF operations are routinely conducted across the world, showcasing the Air Force’s unique ability to rapidly field and deploy forces at any time as part of the Agile Combat Employment concept. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero)

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer flies over the Arabian Peninsula as part of a regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 13, 2023. BTF missions demonstrate the credibility and commitment of U.S. forces to address a global security environment by the projection of airpower, while enhancing the U.S. ability to defend its allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero)

A U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker refuels a B-1B Lancer as part of a regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 13, 2023. BTF missions demonstrate the credibility and commitment of U.S. forces to address a global security environment by the projection of airpower, while enhancing the U.S. ability to defend its allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero)

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel a U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer in an undisclosed location on Nov. 8, 2023. The regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force mission enhances the high-end readiness of the bomber force by advancing interoperability with other regional allies and partners in the USCENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel the B-1 Lancer within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 8, 2023. The regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force mission enhances the high-end readiness of the bomber force by advancing interoperability with other regional allies and partners in the USCENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo SSgt Jasmonet Holmes)

A U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer flies in formation with an F-16C Fighting Falcon escort over the Red Sea as part of a regularly-scheduled Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 8, 2023. BTF operations are routinely conducted across the world, showcasing the Air Force’s unique ability to rapidly field and deploy forces at any time as part of the Agile Combat Employment concept. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Jasmonet Holmes)