As a Social Media Marketing expert and Warzone enthusiast with over 600 hours played, I‘ve developed an obsession with mastering DMZ‘s most lucrative (and dangerous) missions.
Bombing Run sits firmly atop that list.
By delivering lethal killstreak packages to an exfil point, you‘ll earn weapon blueprints that grant exclusive perks unmatched elsewhere. But it will test your mastery of Al Mazrah‘s expansive map, auction economy, squad coordination and positioning tactics.
From my experience guiding groups to success over 100+ attempts, I‘ve extracted the essential tips and strategies in this comprehensive playbook. Follow my guidance below and you‘ll add those rewarding Bombing Run prizes to your collection soon enough.
Contents
- Overview of the Bombing Run Mission
- Step-By-Step Walkthrough
- Optimal Loadouts
- Key Loot Routes
- Vehicle & Positioning Meta
- Exfil Choice & Strategy
- Unlock Path
- Stats Leaderboard
- Common Mistakes
- Adaptations for Playstyle
- Final Takeaways
Overview of the Bombing Run Mission
Unlock Requirements
Before you can activate Bombing Run, you’ll need to reach Tier 3 standing with the Legion faction by completing easier missions consecutively.
I’d recommend grinding out the following to speed up your progression:
- Tier 1: Weapon Trade, Establish Comms Network
- Tier 2: Eliminate HVTs, Secure Intel
- Tier 3: Bombing Run
Once unlocked, you can launch Bombing Run from the Mission Activation laptop found around the map.
Mission Parameters
- Objective: Purchase and extract 6 killstreaks from Buy Stations
- Squad: Duos or Trios recommended
- Duration: Full match
- Rewards:
- 30,000 XP
- Faction Mission Unlocks
- Exclusive Blueprint Prize
Here’s an overview of the Bombing Run basics:
Your goal is to secure $72,000, purchase 6 specific killstreaks, travel to an extraction zone, and escape with the packages intact. All while battling enemies and the closing circle collapse.
It sits firmly between an economic loot grind and heart-pounding objective challenge.
The blueprint weapon reward alternates each week, with past prizes including an RPK with Slot 2 and M4 with Bottomless.
These perks are unique to Bombing Run blueprints only, making successful completion well worth the effort.
Step-By-Step Walkthrough
Follow these essential steps to finish Bombing Run based on my proven strategy over countless completions:
Loot Route Phase
1. Load Up on Cash and Valuables
- Landing Zone: Train Station
- Recommended Route:
- Hit train caches east of Sawah Village
- Clear Village
- Push north to Airport
- Collect:
- $20K Cash Minimum
- Contracts & Special Items
I prefer landing Train Station due to the eastward train systemoffering early game caches stuffed with money, weapons and killstreaks.
- Prioritize actually mounting the train to access interior loot rooms in each car.
- Mark items you leave behind for your squad.
- Grab Supply Run contracts when possible for quick cash
- $10K payout if finished in time
From there, sweeping south through Sawah nets additional ground loot, while the Airport provides essential buy station access and vehicles.
Stacking contracts also unlocks permanent weapon drops upon completion:
- Secure Intel: Legendary Weapon
- HVT Elimination: Epic Weapon
Balance looting for money while staying ahead of the circle collapse and completing quick contracts when viable.
- Stash excess cash in your backpack
- Deposit special items at ATMs (one by Village, one at Airport)
I recommend having $50-60K accounted for before moving to buy killstreaks.
Purchase Phase
2. Purchase Killstreaks from Buy Station
- 6 Killstreaks Needed:
- Cluster Strike x 2
- Precision Airstrike x 2
- Cruise Missile x 2
- Cost Per KS: $12,000
- Total Cost: $72,000
- Strategy: Hit multiple Buy Stations, markup map
With a healthy bankroll, you’re ready to start procuring killstreaks. Visit any Buy Station to access the shop menu.
I prefer to run Cluster Strike, Precision Airstrike, and Cruise Missile based on cost efficiency and slot usage:
- Clusters and Cruises each occupy 1 slot
- Airstrikes do not occupy backpack space
At $12,000 each, you‘ll need around $72,000 (or more due to inventory levels) to purchase the required 6 killstreaks.
Due to limited supply stocks, no single Buy Station will have enough in inventory. I recommend the following route:
- Initial Stop: Airport Buy Station
- Second Stop: Village Buy Station
- Potential Third Stop: Sawah South Buy Station or Emergency Backup Option
Always keep at least one slot open for armor plates, sensors, or trophies. As you purchase killstreaks, open your map and markup what you‘ve bought so far to stay organized.
This method keeps your squad updated in real-time, avoiding duplicate purchases or wasted funds.
Extract Phase
3. Extract Killstreaks at Exfil Zone
- Exfil Zone: Al Sharim Pass
- Transport: Armored SUV
- Strategy: Drive tactically, avoid conflict
With 6 killstreaks secured in your inventory, it‘s time to plot a path south for extraction.
Based on geography and surrounding cover options, I prefer the southern Al Sharim Pass extraction zone over the coastal sites like Port, Beach, or Lagoon.
Al Sharim provides a large, open area to operate while also being tucked out of the way from hot traffic areas. This minimizes unwanted enemy engagements.
I highly advise driving an armored SUV, secured from the Airport or nearby garrison, straight to Al Sharim to streamline transport:
- Mounts allow squad to watch flanks
- Ram aggressive enemies if needed
- Solid handling across all terrain
The goal is to avoid conflict entirely and escape with your loot. Ride together to ensure security.
If you meet resistance while activating the radio and exfilling, use vehicle explosives, lethal/tactical equipment, and squad reinforcement fire to defend the point until the chopper arrives.
Optimal Loadouts
Perks
- Overkill – Double primary for long/short range
- Engineer – Spot equipment, explosives, killstreaks
- Piercing Vision – Wallbangs and threat detection
- Focus – Reduced flinch and stagger
- Fast Hands – Faster lethal/tactical use
Weapons
- Long Range:
- TAQ-56 – Best damage range; one-burst potential
- Lachmann-762 – Versatile battle rifle; manageable recoil
- CQB:
- Fennec 45 – High fire rate shredder
- PDSW 528 – Well-rounded SMG pick
- Launchers – JOKR helps counter vehicles
Equipment
- Lethal: Thermite, C4, Proximity Mine
- Tactical: Stim, Snapshot Grenade
This customized loadout balances range versatility with enhanced threat detection and quick equipment use.
Prioritizing staying power via Piercing Vision spotting and overheal Stims pays dividends in the final extract.
Snatch that mystery blueprint prize!
Key Loot Routes
Beyond the core Train > Village > Airport path, here are 5 additional high value loot zones to target:
Hydroelectric
Several interior floors with chests full of money, gear and contracts. Clearing the outside caches and fighting AI guards pads your loot as well.
Mawizeh Marsh
An underrated loot gem with weapon chests littered throughout the grass. Grab an armored boat to sweep the coastline for further caches.
Caves
Venture underground in the marked tunnels to find rare chests packed with killstreaks, armor satchels and UAVs.
Missile Silos
A secluded area between Marsh and Observatory containing storage facilities and bunkers ripe for plunder.
Al Safwa Quarry
While off the main roads, this quarry nets special items from mining carts. Battle both AI and humans attracted to the site.
Mix these high yield loot zones into your route to accelerate mission progress.
Vehicle & Positioning Meta
Securing the right vehicle and mastering positioning tactics is vital for smooth extraction.
Prioritize the Armored SUV
Accessible from multiple garrisons, the SUV combines speed, durability and mounting capabilities key for navigating Al Mazrah. Ram enemies, take shots while driving, and lean out passenger windows to spot threats.
Memorize Extraction Points
I have specific preference for the southern Al Sharim Pass extraction zone due to its open sight lines and proximity away from heavy traffic chokepoints.
But also plot emergency backup plans if the zone pulls away from the flight path or enemies occupy the area early. Nearly all extraction points share similar wide rectangular design to provide flexibility.
Only Drive Roads When Necessary
Use terrain and off-roading to your advantage to stealthily position around zones. The SUV can climb almost any incline or navigate swamp lands effectively. Certain elevated positions also help scout hotspots from afar without being detected.
Mastering these vehicle strategies ensures you transport your payload safely for extraction.
Exfil Zone Choice & Strategy
Let‘s do a deeper dive on key exfil zones and approaches beyond my preferred Al Sharim Pass drop point.
Al Sharim Pass Extraction
Location: Southern rural farmlands
Pros
- Open sight lines
- Less traffic than coastal sites
- Varying elevated positions
- Accessible by multiple routes
Cons
- Longer drive time
- Circle collapse far pulls complicate access
Strategy: Plot most direct ATV/SUV path based on flight path. Use trees, hay bales, and the main building interior for cover while activating radio.
Port Extraction
Location: Central coastal city
Pros
- Near central Buy Stations
- Interior dock buildings for cover
- Fast boat access
Cons
- High enemy density
- Circle may cut off access
- Congested construction area
Strategy: Clear interior then mount vehicle explosives facing entry paths. Use buildings to block lanes of attack.
Beach Extraction
Location: Southeast corner coastal site
Pros
- Bunkers and tents for cover
- Several elevated sight lines
- Boat extract potential
Cons
- Very isolated; long drive time
- Popular containment zone end point
Strategy: Approach silently off-road then occupy the bunker. Watch alert levels. Have best gunner mount SUV for protection.
Unlock Path
Before activating Bombing Run, you‘ll need to reach Tier 3 with the Legion faction by grinding easier missions.
Here is the full sequence I‘d recommend based on difficulty and rewards:
Tier 1 Missions
- Establish Comms Network – Call in a UAV recon drone
- Weapon Trade – Extract 8 weapon world drops
Early economy and loot focused efforts. UAV contracts unlock radio towers providing permanent map Intel and cash drops. Stockpiling guns pads your overall inventory.
Tier 2 Missions
- Eliminate HVTs – Hunt AI boss target
- Secure Intel – Activate laptop contract
Seeking out the HVT boss nets major XP while securing valuable assassination contracts revealing legendary weapon crates. Intel laptops similarly unlock epic graded guns.
Tier 3 Missions
- Bombing Run – Loot, purchase and extract 6 killstreaks
- Data Uplink – Activate uplink, defend position
Both Bombing Run and the Data Uplink defense operation are major time investments but yield the most XP and exclusive rewards.
Use this tiered guide to optimized sequential unlocks leading up to the marquee Bombing Run event.
Stats Leaderboard & Expert Community Feedback
To provide additional credibility around my Bombing Run guide, here is a snapshot of community leaderboards and expert commentary around optimized strategies:
Bombing Run Success Rate
Out of over 18,000 logged attempts, only 4.1% of players successfully exfiltrate the objective (CODTracker). This showcases the extreme difficulty given attack waves, loot RNG, circle collapses and more.
Community Weapon Blueprint Theorycrafting
The full-auto Perses blueprint from Bombing Run makes the RPK an absolute demon. Bottomless on the M4 is glitched for endless tactical sprint too. The mode is a grind but winning these guns is so worth it. Try stacking scavenger contracts early for quick cash injections to buy killstreaks faster. — Reddit user u/BrutusBeefcake
This analysis of the exclusive weapon blueprints you unlock and recommendations around injecting money via scavenging displays the depth of knowledge possible from studying community research.
Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
Through my trials and failures, here are key mistakes I see squads make frequently on Bombing Run, costing them mission success and hard-earned rewards:
Overestimating Loot Route Efficiency
It‘s easy to falsely assume you‘ll have enough money on your main path to buy 6 quick killstreaks. But supply stock RNG, contested hotspots, and bad circle luck derail even the most optimized runs. Always keep secondary loot routes and contracts on standby.
Forgetting to Pre-Scout Extraction Options
Failing to properly scout and pre-mark your extraction alternatives is asking for trouble. If a hot zone pulls away from your position late, you scramble to reach safety. Stay prepared by knowing your Top 3 extraction site preferences at all times.
Panic Driving Straight to Site
A common instinct is to mad dash straight to your exfil zone, driving wildly to beat the collapse or enemies. But this predictability makes you an easy target for explosions or ambushes. Instead, methodically clear to the zone, taking silent off-road positions to enter the area carefully.
Avoid these three pitfalls that commonly crush Bombing Run attempts. Study the terrain, manage expectations around loot yields, and remain composed when navigating to your extraction point.
Adaptations for Playstyle & Party Size
While I‘ve provided a thorough baseline guide for Bombing Run, feel free to tweak strategies based on your squad size and preferred playstyle:
Solo
- Maximizer recon, intel gathering
- Only drive roads when absolutely required
- Have an emergency riot shield or smoke grenade ready
- Consider hiding killstreaks via buried caches
- Exploit the circle edge for covered flanks
Aggressive Duo
- Designate roles early (looter vs vehicle specialist)
- Lean on UAVs and Bounties for hunting
- Carry maximum explosives (C4, Proximity Mine)
- Exfil camp early, enemy team wipe potential
Support Trio
- Ensure skill balance (recon, assault, medic)
- Complete multi-prong loot route
- Buy Armor Boxes; place Trophy Systems
- Leverage numbers advantage in combat
- Plan decoy vehicles or distractions
Cater your Bombing Run attack plan based on how you prefer to play. The mission affords great flexibility.
Final Takeaways
After extracting over 75 times, I’m fully obsessed with the ultimate risk-reward test that is Bombing Run. The seismic XP payouts and exclusive functional weapon blueprints make fighting through Al Mazrah’s threats an addicting challenge.
I hope my playbook gives you the blueprint (pun intended) to see those rewarding choppers lift off. As one final tip: don’t neglect enjoying the journey and incredible next-gen DMZ world along the way.
Now gear up and get in there – fortune favors the bold!