00:00The main strike package comprised of seven B-2 Spirit bombers, each with two crew members, proceeded quietly to the east with minimal communications.
00:11Throughout the 18-hour flight into the target area, the aircraft completed multiple in-flight refuelings.
00:18Once over land, the B-2s linked up with escort and support aircraft in a complex, tightly-timed maneuver requiring exact synchronization across multiple platforms in a narrow piece of airspace, all done with minimal communications.
00:38This type of integration is exactly what our joint force does better than anyone else in the world.
00:45At approximately 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time last night, and just prior to the strike package entering Iran, a U.S. submarine in the Central Command Area of Responsibility launched more than two dozen Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles against key surface infrastructure targets at Esfahan.
01:06As the Operation Midnight Hammer strike package entered Iranian airspace, the U.S. employed several deception tactics, including decoys, as the fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft pushed out in front of the strike package at high altitude and high speed, sweeping in front of the package for enemy fighters and surface-to-air missile threats.
01:31The strike package was supported by U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Cyber Command, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Space Force, and U.S. European Command.
01:46As the strike package approached Fordow and Natanz, the U.S. Protection Package employed high-speed suppression weapons to ensure safe passage of the strike package, with fighter assets employing preemptive suppressing fires against any potential Iranian surface-to-air threats.
02:08We are currently unaware of any shots fired at the U.S. Strike Package on the way in.
02:16At approximately 6.40 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 2.10 a.m. Iran time, the lead B-2 dropped two GBU-57 massive ordnance penetrator weapons on the first of several aim points at Fordow.
02:33As the president stated last night, the remaining bombers then hit their targets as well, with a total of 14 mops dropped against two nuclear target areas.
02:46All three Iranian nuclear infrastructure targets were struck between 6.40 p.m. and 7.05 p.m. Eastern Time.
02:55Again, that's about 2.10 in the morning local time in Iran, with the Tomahawk missiles being the last to strike at Esfahan to ensure we retain the element of surprise throughout the operation.
03:10Following weapons release, the midnight hammer strike package exited Iranian airspace, and the package began its return home.
03:18We are unaware of any shots fired at the package on the way out.
03:26Iran's fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran's surface-to-air missile systems did not see us.
03:36Throughout the mission, we retained the element of surprise.
03:40In total, U.S. forces employed approximately 75 precision-guided weapons during this operation.
03:47This included, as the president stated last night, 14 30,000-pound GBU-57 massive ordnance penetrators, marking the first-ever operational use of this weapon.
04:01I know that battle damage is of great interest.
04:04Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction.
04:14More than 125 U.S. aircraft participated in this mission, including B-2 stealth bombers, multiple flights of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters,
04:28dozens and dozens of air refueling tankers, a guided missile submarine, and a full array of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft,
04:39as well as hundreds of maintenance and operational professionals.
04:43As the secretary said, this was the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history and the second-longest B-2 mission ever flown,
04:55exceeded only by those in the days following 9-11.
05:00Well prior to the strike, General Carrilla elevated force protection measures across the region, especially in Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf.
05:09Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks,
05:18which would be an incredibly poor choice.
05:23We will defend ourselves.
05:26The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority.
05:31This mission demonstrates the unmatched reach, coordination, and capability of the United States military.
05:39In just a matter of weeks, this went from strategic planning to global execution.
05:46This operation underscores the unmatched capabilities and global reach of the United States military.
05:52As the president clearly said last night, no other military in the world could have done this.
06:02I join the president and the secretary in being incredibly proud of the air crews, naval forces, cyber operators, planners, and support teams,
06:11and commanders who made this mission possible.
06:14It is their skill, discipline, and teamwork that makes this operation possible.
06:20I am particularly proud of our discipline related to operational security,
06:26something that was of great concern to the president, the secretary, General Carrilla, and me,
06:33and we will continue to focus on this.
06:36As we stand here this morning, many assets are still airborne, and we have hundreds deployed.
06:42I ask that we keep our warfighters on their way home and our deployed service member in our thoughts.
06:48Our joint force remains ready to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests in the region.
