Asger Risom
Long-range stealth bombing missions demand superhuman focus. Here’s how U.S. pilots stay alert for nearly two days straight
Flying the B-2 Spirit, the U.S. Air Force’s stealth bomber, is not just a test of skill—it’s a feat of endurance. Missions can stretch over 40 hours, requiring pilots to remain sharp and responsive while navigating across continents, refueling midair, and often under radio silence.
A Mission Unlike Any Other
Before climbing into the $2 billion aircraft, pilots undergo extensive training that includes more than flight plans and combat scenarios.
One critical area of focus: nutrition.
As reported by Reuters, the U.S. Air Force incorporates sleep studies and dietary education into its pilot regimen.
Precision Demands Planning
General Steve Basham, a retired B-2 pilot, emphasized how dietary choices can make or break mission effectiveness.
“We actually get educated on what wakes us up and what helps us fall asleep,” he explained.
Meals are deliberately bland to minimize digestive issues. Basham’s go-to? Turkey sandwiches on wheat bread, no cheese.
The B-2’s demanding schedule leaves little room for error, especially during aerial refueling.
Pilots must align with a fuel boom they can’t even see—guided only by dim indicator lights and memory. On moonless nights, this operation becomes especially perilous.
Inside the cockpit, there’s a compact rest area where one pilot can stretch out while the other remains on duty. But true rest is rare.
The Secret Weapon
Among the small tools pilots rely on to stay alert, one stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness.
It’s neither high-tech nor classified, but it works.
This small, everyday item helps bridge the hours between meals and stave off fatigue when energy dips most.
Despite advanced systems and global coordination, B-2 missions still hinge on human performance. As Basham noted, “Our pilots make it look easy—but it’s not.”
With the Air Force planning to replace the B-2 with the B-21 Raider in the coming decades, the spirit of endurance and innovation continues to define American air power.