Op-Ed: US B-2 bombing raid on Libya cost over $8.8 million
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By Ken Hanly 15 hours ago in World
Two US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers carried out airstrikes on Islamic State camps approximately 28 miles southewest of Sirte. The US was involved in air strikes in the Sirte offensive starting August 22 last year.
Operation Odyssey Lightning ended with the liberation of Sirte on December 19 after having carried out 495 airstrikes. However, the US has launched other bombing missions on terrorists in Libya when it has seen an opportunity to do so.
The two bombers, named the Spirit of Georgia and the Spirit of Pennsylvania are attached to the 509th Bomb Wing, located at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouris. The two were said to have dropped more than 100 precision-guided missiles. When asked why the most technologically-advanced strategic bomber in the world was used for the mission Col. Patrick Ryder US Air Force spokesperson said that commanders were given options what to employ: "Because of it's range, because of it's payload capacity, it gives military commanders options. So in this particular case, carrying a GBU-38, a 500 pound JDAM, the B-2 can carry up to 80 of those." Anothers spokesperson Capt. Mark Graff said that in addition the planes can carry a payload of up to $40,000 pounds and it can loiter for long periods of time
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