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| B-1B Lancer (Image: Wiki Commons) |
SEOUL, Sept 24 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flew in international airspace off North Korea's eastern coast in the latest show of force against the isolated country, officials said, amid an escalating war of words between Pyongyang and Washington.
The strategic bombers deployed from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam flew with F-15C air superiority fighters from Kadena Air Base on Okinawa on a mission meant to send a clear message that the United States has many military options to defeat any threat from North Korea.
"This is the farthest north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) any U.S. fighter or bomber aircraft has flown off North Korea's coast in the 21st century, underscoring the seriousness with which we take (North Korea's) reckless behavior," Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement.
"We are prepared to use the full range of military capabilities to defend the U.S. homeland and our allies."
The U.S. has warned that all options, including a military strike, are on the table over North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.
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