Seven US Air Force B-2 bombers flew a record 37-hour mission from Missouri to Iran and back, showcasing endurance, in-flight survival tactics, and the strategic value of long-range stealth.

The longest commercial airline flight is from New York to Singapore, covering nearly 9,536 miles in just under 19 hours. Fortunately for those on board, the cabin has only business class and premium economy sections meant to enhance the passenger experience. Moreover, those in the economy section can still get up and stretch their legs by walking to the lavatory.

For the crews of the seven United States Air Force Northrop B-2 Spirits that carried out last week’s bombing mission over Iran, sitting anywhere in the Airbus A350-900ULR aircraft may have seemed like an upgrade. That is especially true considering the 14 American aviators spend 37 hours flying non-stop in a CONUS-to-CONUS mission from Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Missouri, and back.

It was the longest sortie the US Air Force has carried out since the airstrikes in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The most significant advantage of a long-range mission is that the bombers don’t have to be forward deployed at another airbase, nor do the ground crews and other support personnel have to be deployed in advance.

The trade-off is that it requires a marathon-length flight to the Middle East and back. Staff doctors and physiologists at White AFB assist the pilots in preparing their bodies and minds for the mission.

The B-2 Bomber Is Pretty Comfortable for the Airmen

One perk that the two-person crew of the B-2 Spirit has over even business-class passengers on the Airbus A350-900ULR is that the bomber offers a fold-down cot for sleeping. This is in addition to the highly adjustable seating and optimized controls intended to minimize strain during long-haul missions.

There are no flight attendants with beverage carts on the Spirit, but the B-2 pilots have a microwave and an onboard cooler filled with snacks.

Even though the cockpit of the B-2 is small compared to its exterior, there is enough headroom for a six-foot-tall crew member to stand behind the seats. That is unique among the US Air Force’s currently in-service bombers, even as the Rockwell B-1B Lancer and Boeing B-52H Stratofortress aircraft have larger interior spaces than the B-2 Spirit. Besides having less headroom, the larger crews of the Lancer and Stratofortress quickly occupy the available space, while the crewmen still share just a single bunk that allows for some rest during their long flights.

The A350 has a clear-cut advantage over the B-2 with its dedicated lavatories, which are likely more comfortable to use than the small chemical toilet positioned just behind the crew seats on the Spirit.

What Is on the Menu for a B-2 Bomber Flight?

Given the toilet situation, most B-2 pilot teams may watch what they eat before a mission and then stick to simple meals, such as sandwiches, during the flight. The greater focus is on staying hydrated during the marathon-length sorties. Caffeine is generally avoided, as dehydration is already a concern at high altitude, and instead, pilots are encouraged to drink approximately one bottle of water per hour during long missions.

Lt. Gen. Steve Basham, US Air Force (Retired), who flew the B-2 for nine years, told Reuters that his go-to meal was a turkey sandwich on wheat bread without any cheese, and it was “as bland as you can make it.”

Snacks can include candy bars, while sunflower seeds are a favorite among some crews; however, salty foods are generally avoided.

There are reports of some B-2 pilots being issued with Modafinil, a so-called “go-pill” that is seen as a better option over traditional amphetamines for combating fatigue on long missions. It is believed to have fewer side effects as well as less potential for abuse, but experts still caution that it isn’t a substitute for actual sleep.

Of course, the best part of flying the B-2 on a CONUS-to-CONUS mission is that after landing and debriefing, the pilots can catch some much-needed shuteye in the comfort of their beds!

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver.

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