The U.S. military B-2 Spirit bomber pilots and crew involved with the coordinated strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last month have been invited to attend a July 4 celebration at the White House, but it’s not clear what measures have been taken to protect their identities.
The White House confirmed to Military.com that those involved in the mission, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, were invited to the White House’s July 4 celebration. It follows comments made Sunday by President Donald Trump on Fox News in which he said they’d be heading to the White House.
“Hundreds of military families will be present at President Trump’s Fourth of July picnic, including personnel from the 509th Bomb Wing, who perfectly executed Operation Midnight Hammer and obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities,” Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, told Military.com on Thursday.
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But the White House and Air Force officials have not disclosed what steps they’re taking to protect the military personnel’s identities amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Given the highly classified nature of military bombing missions, identities of pilots and personnel involved aren’t typically publicized.
Former pilots, including those who have flown the B-2 stealth bomber, who spoke to Military.com said having them in attendance at a high-profile event like the White House’s July 4 celebration does open up potential safety concerns.
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin knows those risks well. As a former B-2 pilot as well as the former commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, she recalled a time when 50 of her airmen were put on a targeted list by al-Qaida and officials took numerous measures to make them feel safe and protected.
“Identity is a huge concern,” Goodwin told Military.com in an interview Thursday. “Protecting that, personally, as a commander, I take that very seriously, because there will be those out there that would want to take potential recourse on those bombings, and they could be targets.”
Goodwin said she was confident that commanders are being thoughtful in protecting the safety and identities of their pilots. But service and White House officials are silent about the precautions being taken.
While an Air Force official acknowledged safety concerns faced by those military personnel to Military.com, there was no additional details provided about the measures taken or guidance given to those pilots who will attend the high-profile White House event.
“Our adversaries are skilled at exploiting the digital realm, collecting and analyzing open-source information, and leveraging advanced technologies to target U.S. military personnel, operations and activities,” an Air Force official told Military.com. “Airmen involved in sensitive missions are briefed on the risks and vulnerabilities posed by the changing information environment to assist in managing the public release of information in a manner that protects the safety and security of personnel and assets.”
The Air Force official added that the intention is for the B-2 bomber pilots and crew to keep a low profile to enjoy the event, and they will not be doing media interviews.
After multiple media outlets, including Military.com, reported that one of the bomber pilots involved in Operation Midnight was a woman, the Air Force declined to comment further, citing operational security concerns, and said the pilots and crew would not be made available for interviews.
“I’d be concerned to identify any of the crews involved, because it doesn’t just impact them, it impacts their family as well,” Retired Lt. Col. Jessica Ruttenber, an Air Force pilot who flew numerous planes including the KC-135 Stratotanker — a refueling aircraft, told Military.com in an interview Wednesday.
White House officials did not answer Military.com’s multiple questions sent over 24 hours asking them to clarify the nature of the July 4 event or what measures were being taken to conceal the pilots’ identities. They did not respond by publication.
“I understand they want to publicize it, and you have a right to be proud, but often we do missions that we’re not going to be publicly credited for for a long time until it’s safe to do so or years later when it’s declassified,” Ruttenber said.
Trump has said the strikes conducted by B-2 bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program despite initial intelligence providing more wary assessments.
During a briefing to reporters Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the official assessment from the Department of Defense was that Iran’s nuclear program was set back “probably closer to two years.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement provided to Military.com that B-2 bombers, as well as other fighter jets, will be conducting a flyover as part of the celebration.
“America’s Air Force will conduct a flyover featuring our state-of-the-art F-22s, B-2s and F-35s – the same air capabilities used for the decisive and successful strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities,” Leavitt said.
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