A pair of U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer bombers participated in a bilateral mission with South Korean F-15 and Japanese F-2 fighter jets on July 7, near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, in response to “increasingly escalatory actions” by North Korea, most recently on July 3 when they launched an an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test.
In a statement, the USAF says the mission was, “part of the continuing demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies against the growing threat from North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs.”
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The bombers are assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and took off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for the 10 hour mission to practice attack capabilities and drop inert weapons in a precision strike training exercise at the Pilsung Range.
“North Korea’s actions are a threat to our allies, partners and homeland,” Gen. Terrence O’ Shaughnessy, the Pacific Air Forces commander, said.
“Let me be clear, if called upon we are trained, equipped and ready to unleash the full lethal capability of our allied air forces.”
It’s the second show of force from the U.S. against North Korea in the last few days. The night following the launch July 4, U.S. and South Korean airmen joined for a missile test exercise off the Korean Peninsula.
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