USAF B-1B Lancer bombers CONUS-to-CONUS mission | Operation Epic Fury in Iran

On March 4, 2026, U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bombers completed a high-stakes, long-endurance CONUS-to-CONUS mission, returning to their home bases in the United States after conducting strikes as part of Operation Epic Fury. This mission was a critical component of the ongoing air campaign against the Iranian regime's military infrastructure, which began in late February 2026. Mission Logistics & Scale The "CONUS-to-CONUS" designation indicates that these aircraft launched from the continental United States, flew several thousand miles to the Middle East to engage targets, and returned directly to the U.S. without landing at overseas forward operating bases. Departure Point: Primarily Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Mission Duration: Reported to be approximately 34 to 37 hours of continuous flight. Aerial Refueling: Supported by an extensive network of KC-135 and KC-46 tankers across the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Strategic Context: These missions were necessitated by initial diplomatic hurdles, including the U.K.'s early hesitation to allow the use of RAF Fairford or Diego Garcia (a stance that has since been reversed). Objectives of Operation Epic Fury According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the B-1B Lancers utilized their massive payload capacity to target: Ballistic Missile Facilities: Hardened sites and mobile launchers used to threaten regional allies. Command and Control (C2): Headquarters and communication hubs of the Iranian military and IRGC. Ammunition Depots: Deep strikes intended to raze the regime's missile industry. The B-1B was selected for its unique combination of high speed (supersonic capability) and the largest conventional payload of any aircraft in the U.S. inventory, allowing it to deliver precision-guided munitions with "violence of action." Current Campaign Status As of March 4, the Pentagon and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported that the U.S. and partner forces have hit over 2,000 targets across Iran. These strikes have reportedly established "local air superiority," enabling further operations by B-52s, F-15Es, and unmanned platforms.