Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

[Black Dog]

If B-2s are sitting out in the open like that, one wonders what is in the hangars. More B-2s, or something else. Alternatively nothing (interesting), and they are purposely left out to send a message. Food for thought anyway.

 

[FighterJock]

I would think it is more like a show of force scenario using the B-2s like that.

 

[Josh_TN]

If B-2s are sitting out in the open like that, one wonders what is in the hangars. More B-2s, or something else. Alternatively nothing (interesting), and they are purposely left out to send a message. Food for thought anyway.

Only six B-2s were tracked, and one put down in Hickman. The shelters are empty; these are being displayed as a threat.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Unrelated. The new U.S. administration wants to curb Irans nuclear program, and as a secondary goal end Houthi And The Blowfish’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The deployment likely would have occurred even if China sat on its hands.

I think there will be a lot of B-2 related news to write about within a month or so.

Not like B-2s haven't been sent to deal with Houthis before...

If B-2s are sitting out in the open like that, one wonders what is in the hangars. More B-2s, or something else. Alternatively nothing (interesting), and they are purposely left out to send a message. Food for thought anyway.

Purposely left out to send a message: "The US is officially getting annoyed by your bullshit. Knock it off or it's going to be bad."

 

[FighterJock]

And quite right too Scott Kenny. It is about time that we got tough with them all.

 

[Josh_TN]

Not like B-2s haven't been sent to deal with Houthis before...

Yes, but not in these numbers and not based locally. The message being sent is that B-2s will operate with a high turn over rate in your hemisphere, and we have packed up everything we need to do that and stored that locally. That is a much different strategic posture than flying a couple aircraft in from Whiteman, and it is a sledgehammer when the Houthi are a mouse. The message and who it is being addressed to are unmistakable.

 

[Josh_TN]

As for the politics of it - not sure that the U.S. needs another war or that it w Be here if JCPOA was still in effect. But I think the administration has thrown so much firepower at Diego that at this point we are just waiting for when B-2s get used, not whether they will or not. Iran and the U.S. are as far apart as Russia and Ukraine in terms of desired outcome. Barring the Trump admin picking up its toys and going home to sulk, this can really only end with this thread having a lot of news items.

The rumors I’m hearing are that there are only two camps of strategic thought at the White House: “bomb Iran if we don’t get a deal in a month”, and “just bomb Iran”.

 

[mkellytx]

Not like B-2s haven't been sent to deal with Houthis before...

Indeed, but that can be done (and was done) from CONUS with full loads of JDAMS. Now if you want to carry two of something bigger the fuel load comes down and you want to launch from Diego...

Purposely left out to send a message: "The US is officially getting annoyed by your bullshit. Knock it off or it's going to be bad."

Exactly, how deep of a hole can 10-12 MOP's make... That one isn't directed at the Houthis.

 

[Josh_TN]

IMO, basing at Diego implies a lot of repeated strikes. Less turn around time. B-2s were used on Yemen before, but this build up implies more of a constant cadence of B-2 activity, not a few round trips from Whiteman. I think all the necessary assets for a sustained campaign have been moved in theater.

 

[mkellytx]

IMO, basing at Diego implies a lot of repeated strikes. Less turn around time. B-2s were used on Yemen before, but this build up implies more of a constant cadence of B-2 activity, not a few round trips from Whiteman. I think all the necessary assets for a sustained campaign have been moved in theater.

Diego is at best 1/3 of the total force per day for continuing ops. If you want to surge things, you'll be on the Arabian Peninsula. Sometime long ago I supported bomber operations out of Diego (don't touch the Queen's cocks!). That became too cumbersome, so we operated from a classified location, now declassified as Al Udeid. Not really sure in the current mess you want to go to the "Deid", but there are other locations where bombers have used that aren't someplace Iran can see from their southern shore.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Exactly, how deep of a hole can 10-12 MOP's make... That one isn't directed at the Houthis.

Fair point.

Statement was definitely "The United States is officially tired of your shit."