August 31, 2020

US B-2 Bombers Transit - Refuel Over Australia - MAP

See map below. @AircraftSpots recorded 3 x US B-2 stealth bombers being refueled over northern Australia on August 11, 2020. 

These B-2As were travelling from their main Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, USA then over the Pacific, over northern Australia, Indian Ocean to Diego Garcia Air Base.

Many more photos of the 3 x B-2s at Diego Garcia, with more details, providing mission context, are at The Drive's August 19, 2020 article. 



Map courtesy @AircraftSpots Aug 11, 2020. Each circle is one refueling tanker refueling one B-2. 
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Overflight of Australia, a close US ally, avoids overflights of Southeast Asian countries. If overflying Australia at night this adds to the B-2's stealthy security.  

Australia's Tindal Air Base, Northern Territory, may be available for any unscheduled or emergency B-2 landings. 

Australia’s KC-30A, variants of the Airbus A330 MRTT refueling aircraft, are capable of refueling US bombers as KC-30As have the necessary Aerial Refuelling Boom System

See Submarine Matters' US B-2, B-52 and B-1 Bombers Exercising in Australia, January 11, 2019.

Pete

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