Operation Midnight Hammer

Operation Midnight Hammer: A Covert Strike of Unprecedented Scale 🚀

On June 21–22, 2025, the U.S. Air Force orchestrated Operation Midnight Hammer, a meticulously planned and executed strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. As Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine revealed, the mission was the largest B‑2 operational strike since modern history began—with seven B‑2 bombers delivering 14 x GBU‑57 “bunker buster” bombs in a single sortie, complemented by submarine‑launched Tomahawk missiles targeting Isfahan.

B-2 Bomber and GBU-75 Bomb Flag From Custom Flag Nation and Available at Hangar 2A Merch

🎯 Mission Overview

Departure: Seven B‑2 Spirit bombers launched from Whiteman AFB in Missouri on a silent, 18‑hour eastbound mission toward Iran.
Deception Tactic: Simultaneously, multiple westbound bombers decoyed toward Guam to confuse observers.
Support Force: Over 125 aircraft—including tankers, F‑22, F‑35, and F‑16 escorts—helped maintain stealth and air superiority.
Submarine Strike: A U.S. Navy submarine fired dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Isfahan nuclear complex just before aerial bombs were dropped.

⚡ Payload & Impact

GBU‑57 MOPs: Fourteen 30,000‑lb bunker busters—two from each B‑2—hit the underground facilities at Fordow and Natanz, marking the first-ever combat deployment of the massive ordnance penetrator.
Precision: A total of ~75 precision-guided munitions, combining US bombs and submarine Tomahawks, were deployed to neutralize deeper structures without wider escalation.
Surprise & Secrecy: No defenses were triggered; no Iranian fighters scrambled. Only a handful of national‑level planners were briefed beforehand—Congress was informed post-strike.

📊 Significance & Aftermath

The mission is hailed as the largest and second-longest B‑2 mission ever, surpassed only by post‑9/11 operations.
Hegseth described it as “tactical surprise” with “severe damage” inflicted—though assessments are ongoing.
U.S. messaging emphasized that the strike was targeted at nuclear infrastructure, not regime change. Still, it vastly demonstrated American global reach.

✈️ The B‑2 Spirit: Stealth Workhorse of the Night

The highly capable Northrop Grumman B‑2 Spirit continues to play a pivotal role in operations necessitating deep penetration and minimal detection.

🛡️ Key Capabilities

Stealth Design: Low observable technologies allow undetected passage through sophisticated air defenses—exemplified by Operation Midnight Hammer.
Payload: Two GBU‑57 MOPs per mission—its enormous internal bomb bay supports 60,000 lbs of ordnance.
Range & Endurance: For this mission, B‑2s flew 18‑hour eastbound sorties from Missouri to Iran with mid-air refueling, a rare operational feat.
Crew: Piloted by a two-person team.

🌍 Strategic Role

Previously used post‑9/11, the B‑2 remains irreplaceable for strikes against deeply buried and fortified targets. Its role in Operation Midnight Hammer confirmed its status as a cornerstone of U.S. strategic capabilities.

💣 GBU‑57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP): The Bunker-Buster

⚙️ Design & Development

Weight: ~30,000 lbs (13,607 kg); the BLU‑127 bomb body carries ~5,342 lbs of explosive.
Penetration Power: Claimed ability to penetrate up to 200 ft of universal material; analysts estimate around 60 m earth or 18 m concrete.
Guidance: GPS/INS navigation with grid-fin stabilization and smart fuzing for underground detonation.
Platform Compatibility: Currently only the B‑2 can deploy it; B‑21 will also be compatible; some B‑52 platforms used in testing .

🕰️ History & Combat Debut

Development: Inspired by shortcomings of earlier bunker-busters; Boeing and USAF oversaw its creation under the “Big BLU” munitions program.
Introduced: Operational stock arrived by early 2011; ~20 units built by 2015 .
Combat Use: First-ever combat deployment occurred on June 22, 2025, during Operation Midnight Hammer—7 B‑2s dropped a total of 14 units across Fordow and Natanz.

🎖️ Tactical Value

Purpose-built to obliterate subterranean bunkers—especially subterranean nuclear enrichment or military centers like Iran’s facilities .
Though its effectiveness awaits long-term evaluation, U.S. officials reported “severe damage”.

🏁 The Flag: B‑2 + GBU‑57 = Custom Flag Nation Flavor

Nothing describes American airpower more vibrantly than a majestic flag—a nod to cutting‑edge military tech with flag pride.

🎨 Flag Design & Available Customizations

Imagery: The flag features both the sleek silhouette of a B‑2 Spirit bomber and an imposing GBU‑57 MOP icon, all centered on a backdrop of bold red, white, and blue.
Personal Touches: For an additional $20 and up, buyers can personalize with name, rank, aircraft number, years of service, etc.
Production: Orders are usually in a few days, with quick turnaround post-customization .

🛠️ Background Context: Why the B‑2 & MOP Matter

🧠 Strategic Deterrence & Global Messaging

Symbolic Power: The B‑2 signals stealthy, unstoppable force. Paired with the MOP, the imagery showcases capability to strike deeply and decisively.
Psychological Messaging: Operation Midnight Hammer was designed as more than a strike—it was a strategic broadcast of American global reach. Having a flag that commemorates that speaks to a sense of national defense strength.

🔋 Tech & Investment Showcase

The MOP exemplifies modern military R&D—30,000 lbs of guided ordnanceable to penetrate 18–60 meters underground, guided by smart fuzes and GPS systems