Direct proof of use
The B-52H Stratofortress was used by U.S. forces in Afghanistan from the opening phase of Operation Enduring Freedom. A U.S. Air Force photo caption from October 7, 2001 identifies a B-52H taxiing for a strike mission against al-Qaeda training camps and Taliban military installations in Afghanistan.
Later October 2001 Air Force imagery showed a B-52 from the 28th Air Expeditionary Wing taking off from Diego Garcia for a combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The caption stated that B-2, B-1, and B-52 bombers had delivered more than 80 percent of the tonnage dropped on combat missions over Afghanistan at that point.
Sources: Here We Come, Bomber Bunch
Opening campaign and Bagram
In the first weeks of the war, B-52s operated as long-range strike aircraft supporting U.S. and allied operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda targets. Air Force Historical Research Agency material describes Operation Enduring Freedom beginning on the night of October 7-8, 2001 and notes the importance of Air Force heavy bombers in the early tonnage delivered over Afghanistan.
On November 12, 2001, a combat controller-directed B-52 strike hit Taliban positions at Bagram. The Air Force historical account describes the bomber making a cleared attack run, releasing weapons from high altitude, and the strike ending Taliban action at Bagram while Northern Alliance fighters moved forward.
Sources: Bagram B-52 Air Strike, Warbird Airmen Return
Drawdown and evacuation support
B-52H bombers returned to the Afghanistan theater during the final withdrawal. U.S. Air Forces Central reported that two B-52H aircraft from the 5th Bomb Wing arrived at Al Udeid Air Base on April 23, 2021 to protect U.S. and coalition forces during drawdown operations from Afghanistan, followed by additional aircraft on April 26.
After the deployment ended, Air Force Global Strike Command reported that six B-52H aircraft and about 300 personnel from the 5th Bomb Wing had completed a six-month deployment from Al Udeid. The 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flew more than 240 combat sorties and more than 3,100 combat-flight hours, including top cover for U.S. and coalition ground forces during the Afghanistan evacuation, armed overwatch, close-air-support engagements, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and communications relay.
Sources: B-52s Arrive for Afghanistan Drawdown, Additional B-52s Arrive, Warbird Airmen Return
Operational role
The documented Afghanistan record shows the B-52 used in two connected roles: long-range strike against Taliban and al-Qaeda military targets during the initial intervention, and on-call firepower, close air support, armed overwatch, and communications support during the 2021 withdrawal and evacuation period.
The available official sources identify U.S. Air Force use and describe aircraft deployed from Diego Garcia in 2001 and Al Udeid Air Base in 2021. They do not provide a complete sortie-by-sortie history for the entire 2001-2021 war.
Sources: Here We Come, Bomber Bunch, Bagram B-52 Air Strike, B-52s Arrive for Afghanistan Drawdown, Warbird Airmen Return
