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Air Force Revives B-1B From Desert Storage, Returns 'Apocalypse II' to Dyess

The restoration signals the Air Force will keep some B-1Bs in service longer to bridge the transition to the B-21.

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A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer takes off from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, April 22, 2026, signaling the successful completion of depot maintenance to return the aircraft to the fight. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Courtney Landsberger)
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Overview

  • The regenerated bomber, which departed Tinker Air Force Base on April 22, rejoined the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess as Apocalypse II with nose art honoring a World War II B-24 crew.
  • The jet was retired in 2021 to Type 2000 recallable storage at the Arizona boneyard and flew to Tinker in July 2024 to begin depot-level regeneration.
  • More than 200 members of the 567th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron spent nearly two years overhauling systems and structure and replacing more than 500 components.
  • Pilots from Tinker’s 10th Flight Test Squadron conducted bare‑metal functional check flights, after which the aircraft was certified Fully Mission Capable and repainted.
  • The Air Force said the return preserves the congressionally required 45-aircraft B-1B fleet and aligns with plans to keep some Lancers flying through 2037 as the B-21 comes online.