According to EurAsian Times, two groups of B-2 bombers departed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on June 21. While one group flew west over the Pacific Ocean—apparently as a diversionary maneuver—the second group, comprising seven B-2s, headed east and successfully carried out precision strikes on Iran’s Fordo and Natanz nuclear facilities, deploying 14 GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs. That group completed a grueling 37-hour round trip and safely returned to base.
However, the fate of the first group remains largely unknown. Reports now suggest that at least one B-2 from the decoy squadron made an emergency landing at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, which shares a runway with Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. The stealth bomber, using the callsign MYTEE 14, reportedly diverted due to an undisclosed emergency and has been grounded there ever since.
A video of the stranded bomber, posted by former pilot David Martin (@Sir_DavidMartin), has surfaced online, further fueling speculation. The nature of the technical malfunction and the timeline for repairs remain classified.
This incident isn’t the first time a B-2 has made an unplanned stop in Hawaii. In April 2023, another B-2 made an emergency landing at Hickam, following a major safety stand-down after a December 2022 crash at Whiteman AFB. That earlier crash, caused by an in-flight malfunction, resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway and briefly catching fire.Valued at over $2 billion each, the B-2 Spirit bomber is a crown jewel of the U.S. Air Force’s strategic deterrent, with only 19 units remaining in service. Its bat-like silhouette and stealth capabilities allow it to penetrate heavily defended airspace undetected.The Iran bombing run, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, marked one of the longest B-2 missions in recent memory. With radio silence maintained throughout, pilots relied on advanced cockpit systems and in-flight rest strategies to endure the nearly two-day operation.
As questions mount about the downed stealth bomber in Hawaii, U.S. officials remain tight-lipped, adding yet another layer to the enigma surrounding America’s most secretive aircraft.
