Go Pills, Grit, And A 37-Hour Flight: How B-2 Stealth Bomber Pilots Battled Sleep

Last Updated:June 25, 2025, 16:49 IST

The return leg of such missions is toughest—adrenaline fades, fatigue hits. Pilots took turns resting on cots behind the cockpit and used go pills to stay alert and focused

The B-2s dropped two 30,000-pound GBU-57 bombs, known as Bunker Busters, on the Fordo nuclear base. (AP/File)

As tensions between Israel and Iran escalated into full-blown conflict last week, a high-stakes military operation was quietly unfolding thousands of miles away at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. While missiles and bombs lit up skies over the Middle East, US Air Force B-2 stealth bombers prepared for a daring 37-hour mission—codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer—targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities under the cover of night.

CNN has detailed the preparation and experiences of the pilots, drawing from the account of a former B-2 bomber pilot. According to the report, the alarm sounded at 4 am, stirring the pilots from their sleep.

Retired Colonel Melvin DX, who vividly recalls a 44-hour mission in 2001 to bomb terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, shared that such missions require months of preparation, including 24-hour simulator practice, adjusting sleep cycles, and using sleep aids. Before the mission, it was crucial for the pilots to be well-rested.

He shared that each pre-mission briefing was thorough, covering every detail meticulously. After the briefing, pilots proceeded to their aircraft. Inside the two-seat cockpit, the pilot on the left was responsible for flight operations and safety, while the mission commander on the right handled radar systems, weapons, and communications.

The compact cockpit contained only essential items: a chemical toilet, microwave, mini-fridge, sandwiches, sunflower seeds, and water bottles—hydration being vital for the long-duration mission.

According to the report, the B-2 bombers took off, with seven heading west in a decoy manoeuvre while the attacking bombers flew towards Iran via the Atlantic. They refuelled mid-air six to seven times, each session lasting 20-30 minutes, requiring precise coordination to avoid catastrophic collisions.

As they neared Iran, tension heightened. An American submarine launched 24 Tomahawk missiles to target Iran’s defence systems. At 6:40 am Washington time, the B-2s dropped two 30,000-pound GBU-57 bombs, known as Bunker Busters, on the Fordo nuclear base—the first use of such bombs in the Israel-Iran conflict. The bombers, now lighter, were swiftly brought under control by the pilots.

The return leg of such missions is often the most challenging. With adrenaline wearing off, fatigue sets in. The pilots took turns resting on cots behind the cockpit and used go pills to stay alert.

Colonel Melvin recalled that during a 2001 mission, sunlight had made it difficult for the pilots to sleep. He described it as a disorienting mix of night and day. Their eyes grew heavy, minds sluggish—yet they didn’t give up. They kept each other motivated, chewed sunflower seeds, sipped water, and pushed through the grueling 37-hour journey.

Finally, the B-2s landed back at Whiteman Base. General Daniel Kane remarked on the significance of the operation, calling it the largest B-2 mission in history and the second longest.

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United States of America (USA)

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