U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers took part in the air strikes in retaliation for the drone attack that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan last week.
In the night between Feb. 2 and 3, 2024, U.S. military forces “conducted strikes on seven facilities, which included more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria, that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militias use to attack U.S. forces. The air strikes were launched in retaliation for the drone attack on U.S. and Coalition Forces in northeastern Jordan that, on Jan. 28, killed three U.S. soldiers.
“This is the start of our response,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in a statement. “The President has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on U.S. and Coalition Forces. These will unfold at times and places of our choosing. We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces. We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our forces, and our interests.”
Footage of US bombs reportedly hitting the headquarters of an Iranian-backed militia in Deir ez-Zur, Syria. pic.twitter.com/71Y4IOffgm
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 2, 2024
No details about the forces involved in the strikes have been released, although it’s been confirmed that B-1 Lancer bombers were involved in the raid.
B1 bombers involved in the strike, per DOD official https://t.co/ntichxFIco
— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) February 2, 2024
U.S. CENTCOM shared a short clip online showing two B-1B launching at night, although it’s not clear whether that was file footage or a video shot at the departure of the BONEs (as the Lancers are nicknamed) from their home (or forward deployment) bases.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups continue to represent a direct threat to the stability of Iraq, the region, and the safety of Americans. We will continue to take action, do whatever is necessary to protect our people, and… pic.twitter.com/Y53nvRfjjx
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 3, 2024
Some B-1Bs were spotted as they crossed the pond, possibly on their way to their targets.
There is a “possibility” that upcoming U.S. retaliatory strikes will involve B-1B Lancer’s.
Two, maybe three B-1Bs jumped the pond and it seems that KC-135s from the UK are currently on their way to RV with them outside of Spain.
It is still unclear, but important to note. pic.twitter.com/elULn5riVZ
— Global: Military-Info (@Global_Mil_Info) February 2, 2024
The B-1s were also active on their SATCOM and HF radios.
The B-1B connects via a UHF satellite ensuring worldwide commo 😎 https://t.co/gTNknRFrXA
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) February 3, 2024
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.
