(JNS) Two B-52 long-range bombers flew across the Middle East as part of a simulated international bombing exercise, the US Air Force announced on Monday.
The aircraft took off on Sunday from Royal Air Force Fairford in Gloucestershire, England—the US Air Force’s only European airfield for heavy bombers—and flew above the eastern Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula and Red Sea “before departing the region,” the US Air Force statement said.
The B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers were accompanied by Israel Air Force planes through part of the mission. Sixteen nations provided logistical support.
The United States and its allies can “rapidly inject overwhelming combat power into the region on demand,” US Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich said in a statement, according to AFP.
“Threats to the US and our partners will not go unanswered,” said Grynkewich, who commands the Ninth Air Force, the air component of US Central Command, which covers the Middle East, among other regions.
While the general didn’t name specific adversaries, the United States in engaged in tense negotiations to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran nuclear deal.
See related: Congressmen Urge Biden to Reconsider Dangerous Iran Deal
Washington last week received Tehran’s response to comments it had sent on Aug. 24 regarding a “final” European Union draft of a new nuclear accord.
“We are studying it and will respond through the EU, but unfortunately it is not constructive,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Monday that it had not yet received an official American reaction to its demands, AFP reported.
Late last month, the US Air Force bombed Iranian-backed militia targets in eastern Syria.
“The United States will not hesitate to defend itself against Iranian and Iran-backed aggression when it occurs,” US Undersecretary of Defense Colin Kahl said at the time.
Sunday’s simulated bombing mission was the fourth exercise of its kind this year, AFP reported.
See related: It’s Time to Bomb Iran
B-52’s, awesome aircraft.
I was in a convoy heading to Dong Ha, just south of the DMZ in 1967. To the left of us was the foothills of the Aushau, a very nasty place to the west and north of the city of Hue. The front of the convoy was hit and we were stopped while the road was cleared by gunships. I was taking a look at the foothills to the west of us when I caught a glimpse of silver in the sky. Thinking it might have been a fighter plane I kept looking and saw it was a B-52, the only time I saw one while in country, then it disappeared. I looked a few seconds more then brought my gaze back to the west of us just as the first bombs started hitting the ground. For a quarter of a mile it was nothing but fire and smoke as the bombs hit the foothills where we would catch fire from at times.
The B-52 disappearing happened when it dropped its bombs and the tremendous amount of lift they have raised it completely out of view in just seconds.
They are an awesome aircraft for sure, I have never lost my respect of them over the years. They are a machine that can get the job done.
What a great inspiring story sir. Thanks for sharing with us. Welcome aboard.