Morning Wire — "Inside the Cockpit of Operation Midnight Hammer"

Date: September 28, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Guest: Mary Margaret Olihan (Daily Wire White House Correspondent)

Overview

This episode centers on "Operation Midnight Hammer," the secretive U.S. Air Force mission that ended the war between Israel and Iran in just 37 hours. Daily Wire White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olihan joins John Bickley to recount her exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, where she observed the preparation, execution, and human stories behind the B2 stealth bomber raid that destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities. The conversation explores military technology, the skill and dedication of Air Force personnel, and the emotions surrounding such a high-stakes historic event.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Immersion at Whiteman Air Force Base

(02:43 – 04:01)

• Mary Margaret and her team spent 6–7 hours at the heavily guarded Whiteman AFB.

  • Constant reminders of base secrecy: "We were told constantly that we couldn't be filming this, we couldn't be filming that, or, you know, this building was confidential." (Mary Margaret, 02:58)
  • Security escorts enforced strict compliance, even requiring real-time deletion of restricted footage.

• Base atmosphere: Self-sufficiency and community focus for military families, with amenities like bowling alleys and a commissary.

• Firsthand encounters with the B2 bombers in their hangars, described as cinematic and awe-inspiring.

  • "It felt like being on the set of Captain America or something like that." (Mary Margaret, 05:18)

2. Exploring the B2 Stealth Bomber

(05:22 – 06:48)

• Mary Margaret entered a B2 bomber, noting details she could and couldn’t report due to security.

  • Cameras were restricted from key vantage points: "They did not want us filming the belly... the top... the back of the plane, because then our adversaries would have access to information that they might not have already." (Mary Margaret, 05:43)

• She described sitting in the rest area for pilots, checking the controls, and observing the manual bomb and nuclear weapon triggers.

  • "I even got to see the buttons that they press where they can manually release the bombs, the buttons for the nukes, which is pretty freaking cool." (Mary Margaret, 06:03)

• Observed loading of the massive 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs, meeting the personnel instrumental to the operation’s success.

3. Anatomy of the 37-Hour Mission

(06:48 – 08:49)

• The operation lasted 37 hours, requiring extreme endurance from the aircrews.

  • "These guys were up there for a really long time." (Mary Margaret, 06:59)

• Complex mid-air refueling, a crucial element: Each B2 had to refuel 6 times in flight.

  • Simulating in-air refueling highlighted difficulty and risk: "One wrong move and you're far away and you're no longer up close to the other plane...in a real situation, that could be very dangerous." (Mary Margaret, 07:32)

• Colonel Kenish confirmed the ever-present danger and high level of training required for success:

  • "We trained to that. That's what we do over and over, repetitions, simulators, training hours and everything else." (John Bickley, 08:39 quoting Col. Kenish)

4. Emotional Stakes and Human Element

(09:01 – 11:50)

• Insights from Col. Whittler (mission commander) on anticipation, risk, and family.

  • Although the pilots appeared excited, he described the "huge relief and very emotional" feeling upon safe return.
    • “I would say the biggest moment for me ever as a commander...was when I knew they were safe, when I knew they were in safe airspace and they had accomplished the mission. That's when the emotions really started to flow.” (Col. Whittler, via Mary Margaret, 10:03–10:15)

• Families remained unaware of the mission specifics; once news of the strike broke, they rushed to base for reunions and witnessed a celebratory flyover.

  • Pilots only learned full details when the mission commenced due to secrecy.
  • "It was very inspiring. These are amazing men and women, you know, not just the pilots, but the crews...And it was a mission that was being planned for a long time before this even took place." (Mary Margaret, 11:16)

5. Reflecting on Service, Readiness, and Morale

(12:16 – 13:06)

• Mary Margaret’s key takeaway: renewed pride and confidence in U.S. military personnel.

  • "What we saw in this base was men and women who are not just inspired and ready to go, but they're so excited to serve their country and they've got some pep in their step...To me, that was inspiring." (Mary Margaret, 12:16)

• Despite national anxieties about military readiness, this operation and her visit "was a great reminder...we are guarded and protected by really fearless men and women who are willing to risk everything to protect us."

Notable Quotes

• "We were fangirling...just having a blast." (Mary Margaret, 02:58)
• "It felt like being on the set of Captain America or something like that." (Mary Margaret, 05:18)
• "I even got to see the buttons that they press where they can manually release the bombs, the buttons for the nukes, which is pretty freaking cool." (Mary Margaret, 06:03)
• "One wrong move and you're far away and you're no longer up close to the other plane." (Mary Margaret, 07:32)
• "I would say the biggest moment for me ever as a commander...was when I knew they were safe...That's when the emotions really started to flow." (Col. Whittler, 10:03–10:15)
• "We are guarded and protected by really fearless men and women who are willing to risk everything to protect us." (Mary Margaret, 12:45)

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:32 | Introduction to Whiteman AFB and Operation Midnight Hammer | | 02:43 | Mary Margaret recounts her visit and first-hand impressions | | 05:39 | Inside the B2: Security protocols and cockpit experience | | 06:48 | Mission profile: duration, refueling, training challenges | | 09:01 | Talking with commanders: anticipation, anxiety, and return | | 10:03 | Col. Whittler on the emotional impact of mission success | | 12:16 | Mary Margaret’s final reflections on morale and service |

Episode Tone

Direct, respectful, and conversational — balancing awe for military technology with admiration for the people behind the machines. The guest’s enthusiasm and emotional candor give listeners both a technical and human perspective on a landmark event in modern military history.

Summary by Morning Wire Podcast Summarizer