B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were spotted making their landing approach at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri on Sunday, hours after the U.S.

launched targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The rare deployment of the advanced aircraft marks a major escalation, as the U.S. joined Israel’s ongoing effort to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Officials say the B-2s, equipped with 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs, were essential to penetrating Iran’s deeply buried nuclear sites.

B-2 bombers return home after US hits Iran nuke sites