Hegseth: First Operational Employment Of Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP)/Bunker-Buster Was “Flawless”
Defense Secretary Hegseth offered these comments Sunday morning regarding Operation Midnight Hammer,” U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites overnight. Hegseth says, “Every American involved in this operation performed flawlessly.” “Our B-2s went in and out… and back without the world knowing at all,” he said. “In that way, it was historic. A strike that included the longest B-2 Spirit bomber mission since 2001 and the first operational employment of the MOP-a Massive Ordnance Penetrator.”
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: I want to recognize the pilots who flew those bombers, who flew those fighters, who flew those refuelers-warriors, all of them. I want to recognize the sailors on those destroyers, in those subs, on those carriers-warriors, all of them. I want to recognize our soldiers doing air defense, base defense, QRF-warriors, all of them. Every American involved in this operation performed flawlessly. And I want to give recognition to our allies in Israel as well. This is a plan that took months and weeks of positioning and preparation so that we could be ready when the President of the United States called. It took a great deal of precision. It involved misdirection-and the highest of operational security. Our B-2s went in and out of downtown Tehran-excuse me, of these nuclear sites-in and out and back without the world knowing at all. In that way, it was historic. A strike that included the longest B-2 Spirit bomber mission since 2001 and the first operational employment of the MOP-a Massive Ordnance Penetrator. The mission demonstrated to the world the level of joint and allied integration that speaks to the strength of our alliance and our joint forces. As President Trump has stated, the United States does not seek war. But let me be clear: we will act swiftly and decisively when our people, our partners, or our interests are threatened. Iran should listen to the President of the United States and know that he means it-every word. I want to give congratulations to our Commander in Chief. It was an honor to watch him lead last night and throughout-and to our great American warriors on this successful operation. God bless our troops. God bless America. And we give glory to God for His providence and continue to ask for His protection.
