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| B-52 Stratofortress (Image: Wiki Commons) |
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The low-level flight occurred on January 9 in the vicinity of Osan, South Korea.
On January 9, the United States dispatched a B-52 bomber from Andersen Air Force base in Guam to fly over South Korea as a sign of resolve and solidarity with Seoul in response to a recent nuclear test by North Korea.(See: video of the low-level flight near Osan Air Base, located about 48 kilometers south of Seoul.)
“This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland,” said Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., commander U.S. Pacific Command, according to a press release. “North Korea’s nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. U.S. joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security.”
According to the U.S. Pacific Command, the B-52 Stratofortress was accompanied on its flight by two Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles and two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons. Upon completion of the flight, which took place in the vicinity of Osan Air Base around noon on January 9, the B-52 returned to the island of Guam.
The B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range, heavy bomber that can fly up to 15,200 meters (50,000 feet) and has the capability to carry 31,000 kilogram (70,000 pounds) of nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance, was armed with nuclear missiles and “bunker buster” bombs while crossing South Korean territory.The B-52 remains the backbone of America’s airborne nuclear deterrent.
Read the full story at The Diplomat