The B-1B Lancer has long been a powerful emblem of American airpower, but in early 2024, it assumed an entirely different function—one characterized not merely by its range, but by its capacity to deliver a discernible message within a rapidly changing world. When words failed and deeds had to shout louder, this aircraft established that the United States still has the reach—and the determination—to strike when it counts most. The retaliation launched after the killing attack on Tower 22 in Jordan was a watershed moment in how the B-1B is perceived and employed, not only tactically, but strategically.
The deaths of three U.S. servicemen in that drone strike were more than a sad aside. They were a turning point. The strike, conducted by Iranian-aligned militia forces employing drones provided by Iran, not only killed, it also injured at least forty other individuals and destroyed a fragile equilibrium. It followed a year of provocations—more than 160 attacks between October 2023 and January 2024 on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria using Iranian-supplied weapons. But Tower 22 was different. It required a response that went far beyond retaliation—it had to restore deterrence.
As this crisis played out, the Air Force was already coping with serious disruptions. Only weeks prior, on January 4, a B-1B had crashed while on a training mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. This brought closure of the sole runway at the base and resulted in aircraft and, temporarily, some 250 personnel being moved to Dyess Air Force Base in Texas. It was a test of flexibility in the bomber force, Col. Derek Oakley, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, said, and they passed. Even with the turmoil, crews continued training and flying, supporting one another and cutting across squadrons in ways that strengthened bonds and improved readiness.
Then came the mission. On February 2, two B-1Bs departed Dyess on a presidential direct order. Their target: high-priority targets in Iraq and Syria associated with Iranian-sponsored militias. The bombers traveled around 7,000 miles round trip—taking 17 hours to get there and 17 hours to return—without ever departing U.S. soil or landing at an overseas base. It was, as Air War College fellow Ross Hobbs noted, the first time a combat mission of this scope had ever been undertaken from and landed back on the U.S. mainland. It was history in the making.
The assault wasn’t minor. U.S. troops bombed over 85 targets with over 125 precision-guided bombs. These weren’t token attacks—these targeted command hubs, intelligence networks, rocket and missile storage facilities, and the logistical arteries that linked them all together. The B-1B led that charge, selected not only for its reach but for its raw firepower and versatility.
But more than the bombs and the distance, the larger narrative was what the mission symbolized. By conducting a strike of this size without needing overseas bases, the U.S. sent a very strong message: it can act anywhere, without needing permission or depending on access to forward staging areas. That’s a game-changer in the current strategic environment, where access can be denied and alliances are tested continuously.
As President Biden made clear at the time, aggression against Americans would be answered with a firm hand, and this mission demonstrated that he was serious. That it took place on the day the bodies of the fallen troops were brought back to Dover Air Force Base only underscored the gravity of that message.
In the subsequent months, the message appeared to take hold. Assaults on American personnel in Iraq and Syria declined precipitously. Although Tehran did not react openly on a large scale, the pause in operations indicated that the strike had produced more than just tactical objectives—it redrew the near-term threat landscape. It also communicated an unmistakable signal to other international actors: America doesn’t have to be near to strike hard. Regardless of whether the threat is Russia or North Korea, the ability to perform long-range, precision strikes remains all too real.
What this significantly demonstrated was the worth of steady investment in bomber availability, inter-squadron support, and global strike proficiency. The B-1B, many thought, was on the verge of the end of its frontline days. It showed that it still had something to say. It proved that older systems, when well-maintained and strategically utilized, can still alter the equation of war. Col. Oakley said that collaborating closely with the Striker crews at Dyess brought out the best in both groups, illustrating just how nimble and cohesive the bomber force is.
Meanwhile, the Air Force continued to look ahead. The short-term transfer of B-1Bs and troops to Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota—part of the larger runway project at Ellsworth as it prepares for the arrival of the next-generation B-21 Raider—was an example of how the service is balancing today with tomorrow. That relocation wasn’t strictly about hardware—it had spillover effects on airmen and their families. It was a reminder that strategic flexibility occasionally comes at a personal cost.
As the Air Force gets ready to introduce the B-21 online and phase out the B-1B, this mission in early 2024 will probably stand as a signature moment. It demonstrated that bombers remain more than anachronisms—they’re still deadly, still potent, and still capable of redefining a battlefield before the war even starts. Far more significant, it served as a reminder to the world that America’s power-projection capability is undiminished—and that it can project a response with speed, accuracy, and determination.