United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers participated in strikes against Iranian ballistic missile facilities and command and control positions during the initial phase of Operation Epic Fury.
The confirmation was released along with official images released by the military command’s public relations sector, showing United States Air Force crews preparing a B-52H for takeoff in support of operations.
First hours of the operation focused on missile infrastructure
According to US military officials, the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury were primarily targeted at Iranian ballistic missile infrastructure and command centers considered operational threats.
The attacks targeted missile launch sites and command and control posts inside Iranian territory, with the aim of reducing the country’s military coordination and response capacity.
The then United States Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, highlighted the intensity of the operations when commenting on the attacks.
“This was never intended to be a fair fight, and it is not a fair fight. We are hitting while they are at a disadvantage,” Hegseth said.
Three types of strategic bombers were used
According to a statement published on social media by Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, the initial phase of the campaign featured the use of three types of strategic bombers from the US Air Force.
According to Cooper, aircraft Boeing B-1B Lancer e Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit carried out what he described as “uncontested surgical strikes” against missile facilities located deep within Iranian territory.
Furthermore, the B-52 Stratofortress were responsible for attacks against command and control posts, expanding the reach of the air offensive.
As a result, all three of the US Air Force’s main long-range strategic bombers — B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress — would have been employed in operations.
B-52 continues to be a key player in US air campaigns
The B-52 Stratofortress is one of the longest-lived aircraft in operation in the United States Air Force. The heavy bomber has participated in conflicts involving the USA since 1965, remaining to this day as a central platform for long-range attack missions.
The B-52H version, currently in service, is capable of transporting large loads of weapons over intercontinental distances, operating at high altitudes.
The aircraft can launch several types of long-range weapons, including cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs, allowing crews to attack targets without entering heavily defended areas.
Although it often operates alongside stealth aircraft or high-speed attack platforms, the B-52 continues to be valued for its large weapons carrying capacity.
In modern air campaigns, the bomber is often employed in sustained attack missions against fixed targets such as command centers, missile depots and military logistics infrastructure.
Source and images: US Central Command, X @CENTCOM | United States Air Force. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
