By destroying the Taliban’s air defenses in the opening salvo of the war, the B-2 effectively knocked down the door for subsequent aircraft.
In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) to dismantle the Taliban regime and al Qaeda networks in Afghanistan. Central to this initial assault was the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, a cutting-edge aircraft designed for long-range precision strikes.
On October 7, 2001, B-2 bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri initiated the bombing campaign, marking a new era in aerial warfare. Among these, the “Spirit of America” undertook a record-breaking 44-hour mission, showcasing America’s global reach and technological superiority in the opening stages of the Global War on Terrorism.
The B-2 Spirit’s Specifications
- Year Introduced: 1997
- Number Built: 21
- Length: 69 ft 0 in (21.0 m)
- Height: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
- Wingspan: 172 ft
- Weight:
- Empty weight: 158,000 lb (71,700 kg)
- Gross weight: 336,500 lb (152,200 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 376,000 lb (170,600 kg)
- Top Speed: High subsonic
- Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet
- Loadout: 40,000 lb
- Aircrew: 2
The “Spirit of America’s” Mission: 44 Hours and Only One Toilet
Beginning on the evening of October 7, 2001, as part of the second wave of strikes, US Air Force Maj. Mel Deaile and Capt. Brian Neal, piloted the B-2 “Spirit of America” from Whiteman AFB loaded with 16 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), GPS-guided bombs capable of precise targeting. The flight path crossed the Pacific Ocean to avoid geopolitical complications, involving five aerial refuelings near California, Hawaii, Guam, the Strait of Malacca, and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Upon reaching Afghan airspace, the crew spent approximately two hours on the first pass, dropping 12 JDAMs on high-value targets. These included Taliban and al Qaeda radar installations, airfields, air control facilities, enemy aircraft, and training camps—assets that posed threats to follow-on coalition forces. In the middle of the mission, about 70 percent of the targets were reprogrammed using the onboard Combat Track II system, requiring thousands of keystrokes while in flight.
After the initial strikes, the B-2 initially headed toward Diego Garcia, but was recalled by the Combined Air Operations Center for a second 90-minute pass over Afghanistan, expending the remaining four JDAMs.
The mission’s stealth capabilities allowed undetected penetration of enemy airspace, enabling precise surprise attacks that neutralized defenses without risking forward-deployed assets. After 44.3 hours aloft, the aircraft landed at Diego Garcia for “hot” refueling—engines running—before a relief crew flew it back to Missouri, extending the total operation to over 70 hours.
Enduring such a marathon mission tested the human limits of the pilots. The B-2’s two-person cockpit offered minimal amenities: a small chemical toilet, “piddle packs” for waste, and a cot for alternating rest periods. Deaile and Neal managed fatigue with “go pills” (amphetamines) to counteract melatonin during the long Pacific crossing, switching duties every four to five hours. Physical strains included accumulating 100 pounds of solidified urine and dealing with pre-packaged means that curbed appetite due to inactivity.
Operationally, dynamic targeting added complexity, as did precise aerial refuelings requiring both pilots’ attention. An emergency landing by a B-52 at Diego Garcia forced a 15-minute delay, further prolonging the ordeal. Despite these hurdles, the crew’s training—hone in simulators for 50-hour scenarios—ensured success, highlighting the B-2’s reliability.
The B-2 Mission Ensured the Success of the Afghanistan Invasion
The 44-hour B-2 mission profoundly shaped the Afghanistan War. By destroying the Taliban’s air defenses in the opening salvo of the war, the B-2 effectively knocked down the door for subsequent aircraft, securing air superiority and enabling safe operations for coalition forces. Combined with Tomahawk missiles, these strikes crippled Taliban infrastructure, disrupting command and control and weakening the group’s hold over the country.
Strategically, the mission demonstrated the US ability to project power from continental bases without relying on vulnerable overseas facilities, a critical advantage in a region with limited allies.
Precision JDAM strikes minimized collateral damage, aligning with efforts to win Afghan hearts and minds while delivering justice in the post-9/11 period. President Bush’s ultimatum to the Taliban—“Hand over the terrorists, or share in their fate”—was enforced through such operations, boosting US morale and deterring adversaries.
Of course, the Taliban did not comply. But the airstrikes sent a message that America would back up its threats–and those threats were not to be ignored or laughed at, as the Taliban had initially done.
The B-2 Mission Was the Longest Combat Sortie in History
Over the first three days of the war, six more B-2s flew without mechanical issues, validating the platform’s $2 billion-per-aircraft investment and setting precedents for future conflicts like Iraq and Libya.
At 44.3 hours, the B-2’s mission remains the longest combat sortie in history, shattering the previous 35-hour record set by “Operation Senior Surprise,” a B-52 bombing mission against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq during the Gulf War of 1990-91. It symbolized American resolve in Afghanistan—not only inflicting immediate damage on Taliban forces, but also paving the way for OEF’s success, contributing to the Taliban regime’s collapse by December 2001. Sadly, the Americans could not build on that success, and the failure to build a stable Afghan government eventually led to the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021.
Today, the B-2s are again on everyone’s mind because of their impressive mission to degrade Iran’s nuclear weapons program during the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June. But the record is still held by that fateful 2001 B-2 strike, which helped pave the way for more successful strikes on the Taliban in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / JJW Photography.
