Is this the first time B2 Bombers have been used to deliver a conventional payload?

[beer]

I've seen pictures, of course, of B2 bombers delivering ordanance this campaign. I believe this is the first time that both the B2 and the B1B have been used in a war, right?

I can't help but think how ironic it is that we are using our mutli-billion, zero-emissions, pinnacle-of-all-technology bombers to take out an enemy based upon thousand year old beliefs that uses AK47s and Stingers as air defense.

 

[Pocatello]

We used both of them and the B-52 during the Kosovo conflict.

 

[OutHouse]

This is the first time the B2 has been used in combat.

The B1 was never used in Kosovo. the first time the B1 was used in combat was Operation desert fox in 1999.

 

[JellyBaby]

<< I can't help but think how ironic it is that we are using our mutli-billion, zero-emissions, pinnacle-of-all-technology bombers to take out an enemy based upon thousand year old beliefs that uses AK47s and Stingers as air defense. >>

True but it's always nice to have capabilities far in excess of your enemies. Very $$$ though.

 

[Pocatello]

Citrix, you don't know what you're talking about.
The B-2 was used in Kosovo to drop bombs with the help of GPS for accuracy. It was a wide known fact that the B-2 flown from Missouri all the way to Kosovo and back. Congress was so impress that some of them want to order a few more, the Air Force brass said they didn't want anymore B-2.
The B-1 was also used.

 

[tcsenter]

<< I can't help but think how ironic it is that we are using our mutli-billion, zero-emissions, pinnacle-of-all-technology bombers to take out an enemy based upon thousand year old beliefs that uses AK47s and Stingers as air defense. >>

Irony is ironic. The Taliban are known to possess 23mm ZU-23 automatic cannons, 100mm anti-aircraft guns, and a few SAM batteries with simple early detection radar system. Well, they DID have these things, not anymore. hehe

 

[Pocatello]

Here is a link of the B-2 being used to drop bombs in Yugoslavia, ironically from a "socialist website"
Link

 

[CocaCola5]

<<

I can't help but think how ironic it is that we are using our mutli-billion, zero-emissions, pinnacle-of-all-technology bombers to take out an enemy based upon thousand year old beliefs that uses AK47s and Stingers as air defense. >>




The B2 is so overkill, its unbelievable. It would be humiliating if one goes down.

 

[OutHouse]

Ok i was wrong about the B2 but i was right about the B1 here is a better link than you sent.


Also until last week the only real world bombing missions the B1 has flown was Operation Desert Fox in 1999.

Kosovo conflict

 

[JellyBaby]

<< It would be humiliating if one goes down >>

They operate out of range of anything the Afgan's have. If one goes down it will be an accident or mechanical prob. But remember these are war assets and sometimes we lose them, no matter how high tech. Very unlikely here though...the B2s are very well maintained.

 

[AvidOC]

<< can't help but think how ironic it is that we are using our mutli-billion, zero-emissions, pinnacle-of-all-technology bombers to take out an enemy based upon thousand year old beliefs that uses AK47s and Stingers as air defense>>

Its just America showing off its technology and how 'high and mighty' it is

 

[bigbootydaddy]

i think the b2 is pimp

booty

 

[ElFenix]

when you don't want your pilots killed you send them into the most hostile areas with the most survivable aircraft, thats the B-2 as far as strategic bombing goes.

 

[CocaCola5]

<< when you don't want your pilots killed you send them into the most hostile areas with the most survivable aircraft, thats the B-2 as far as strategic bombing goes. >>



Whats the difference between a B52 and a B2 at +50,000ft against a foe such as the Taliban? A Boeing 747 would have air superiority over Afghanistan.