Fact Check: As of May 2023, satellite imagery showed the presence of six B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia, which is about half of the total number considered operational at any one time.

Fact Check: "As of May 2023, satellite imagery showed the presence of six B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia, which is about half of the total number considered operational at any one time."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that satellite imagery has indeed shown the presence of at least six B-2 Spirit bombers stationed at Diego Garcia. According to an analysis by the Associated Press, these images confirm the deployment of these nuclear-capable stealth bombers to Camp Thunder Bay on Diego Garcia, a strategic U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean. This aligns with the operational capacity of the B-2 fleet, which is typically limited to around 20 aircraft, suggesting that the six observed could represent about half of the total operational fleet at any given time.

Analysis

The claim about the presence of six B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia is supported by credible satellite imagery analysis. The Associated Press is a well-established news organization known for its rigorous fact-checking and journalistic standards, which lends credibility to their report. Additionally, another source, twz.com, corroborates this information by noting the recent deployment of B-2 bombers and other military aircraft to the area, further indicating a significant military presence.

However, while the evidence points toward the presence of these aircraft, the claim's assertion that this number represents "about half of the total number considered operational" lacks direct citation from military sources or official statements. The operational status of the B-2 fleet can fluctuate based on various factors, including maintenance schedules and deployment strategies. Therefore, while the presence of six bombers is confirmed, the interpretation that this number constitutes half of the operational fleet requires further verification from military experts or official Department of Defense sources.

Conclusion

Needs Research. While there is credible evidence supporting the presence of six B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia, the claim that this number represents half of the operational fleet is not sufficiently substantiated. Further investigation into military operational capacity and official statements would be necessary to validate this aspect of the claim.

Sources

1. Ariel 1 Satellite - National Air and Space Museum
2. Venus | National Air and Space Museum
3. Three Ways Satellites Help Us Understand Our Environment
4. The Space Race | National Air and Space Museum
5. Corona ITEK Collection | National Air and Space Museum
6. Satellite images show at least six stealth B-2 bombers stationed at ...
7. Signs U.S. Massing B-2 Spirit Bombers In Diego Garcia (Updated)
8. C'est quoi un satellite - espace-sciences.org