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| B-1B Lancer (Image: Wiki Commons) |
SEOUL, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military on Tuesday flew two nuclear-capable supersonic bombers over South Korea in a show of force following the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s recent nuclear test.
Two B-1B Lancers, which can carry nuclear weapons, flew over the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, some 70 km south of capital Seoul, at about 10 a.m. local time (0100GMT).
The one was flanked by four South Korean F-15K fighter jets, while the other was joined by four U.S. F-16 fighter planes before returning to the base. The high-speed bombers made a sortie from the U.S. air base in Guam.
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said in an emailed statement that the flyover highlights the close cooperation between U.S. and South Korean military forces that keep them ready to respond at any time to threats to stability and security.
The flights are a day later than scheduled. The United States reportedly planned to send the bombers to South Korea on Monday, but it was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions.
The U.S. allegedly forward-deployed several B-1Bs to Andersen base in Guam in early August from Ellsworth air base in South Dakota to replace B-52 strategic bombers.
Three B-2 stealth bombers also arrived in Guam last month from Whiteman base in Missouri. It was the first time that the U.S. strategic bomber trio was mobilized together in the Pacific region.
Read the full story at Xinhua