Three USAF Rockwell B-1B “Lancer” bombers from Ellsworth AFB carried out overnight strikes against Iranian regime targets after a non-stop flight from the continental United States. The mission, tracked via open sources, marks the second long-range bombing operation in recent days following yesterday’s B-2 employment.
The aircraft involved — callsigns BONE01, BONE02 and BONE03 — departed from Ellsworth AFB (KRCA) and proceeded directly toward the Middle East, refueled multiple times en route.
At least nine KC-46A Pegasus tankers were identified supporting the mission.
From Lajes Airport (LPLA) in the Azores:
RCH052 (17-46036)
RCH082 (19-46063)
RCH075 (18-46057)
RCH093 (19-46008)
From Prince Sultan Air Base (OEPS), Saudi Arabia:
MOJO24 (20-46077)
RCH075 (18-46057)
plus additional Pegasus aircraft cycling in Theatre AAR roles
Several tankers conducted outbound Atlantic refueling tracks, while others operated in-theatre over Saudi Arabia, confirming a dual-layer aerial refueling architecture. This structure allowed the B-1Bs to maintain a non-stop strike profile without forward staging.
Apparently someone in Israel photographed them this morning pic.twitter.com/evZrvMCWDV
— Mikmak (@zeMikmak) March 2, 2026
The use of Lajes once again highlights its enduring strategic value for transatlantic bomber corridors. Positioned in the mid-Atlantic, it remains a critical refueling pivot for CONUS-to-CENTCOM operations.
Meanwhile, Prince Sultan Air Base continues to function as the regional tanker and air command backbone for operations over Iran. The presence of multiple KC-46A aircraft cycling through OEPS indicates sustained strike capacity rather than a single punitive raid.
The employment of B-1Bs — following the B-2 mission tracked yesterday — demonstrates escalation in conventional strategic bomber usage. Unlike stealth penetrators, the B-1B carries a large conventional payload optimized for sustained strike packages.
By flying directly from Ellsworth without forward deployment, the U.S. preserves flexibility while reducing political exposure of host nations. At the same time, the visible tanker buildup in both the Atlantic and Saudi Arabia sends a deterrent message: the logistical backbone is already in place.
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That’s interesting to see the continued use of B-1s for these types of operations. It highlights the strategic flexibility of the Air Force.