World

US bombers overfly Korean peninsula in show of force

The four aircraft then flew across the peninsula and staged another round of a firing exercise over the Yellow Sea

Afp October 11, 2017

A US B-52 Stratofortress (C) is escorted by a South Korean F-15K fighter jet (L) and a US F-16 fighter jet (R) as it flies over the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul on January 10, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

SEOUL:

The US has flown two supersonic heavy bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force against Pyongyang, staging the first night-time joint aviation exercises with Japan and South Korea.

Two B-1B Lancers based in Guam flew a mission in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan late Tuesday, the US Pacific Air Forces said in a statement.
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“Flying and training at night with our allies in a safe, effective manner is an important capability shared between the US, Japan and the Republic of Korea and hones the tactical prowess of each nations' aviators,” Major Patrick Applegate said in a statement.

South Korean defence authorities on Wednesday said the bombers staged a simulated air-to-ground missile firing drill with two South Korean fighters over the Sea of Japan (East Sea).

The four aircraft then flew across the peninsula and staged another round of a firing exercise over the Yellow Sea before the two B-IBs returned home, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

“This drill was part of a routine deployment training aimed at enhancing deterrence” against the North's nuclear threats, the JCS said in a statement.

“Through the practice this time, South Korean and US air forces showed off the allies' resolve for strong retaliation against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats,” it added.

The B-1Bs also conducted exercises with Japan's Air Force in what the US statement called a “sequenced bilateral mission”.

Tensions over North Korea's weapons programme have soared in recent months with Pyongyang launching a flurry of missiles and conducting its sixth and most powerful nuclear test last month.

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Its actions were in defiance of multiple sets of United Nations sanctions, prompting US President Donald Trump to threaten military action against the regime.

The exercises came as a US nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, the USS Tuckson, made a call in South Korea's southern port of Jinhae, the US Pacific Command said.

It did not say when the Hawaii-based submarine with a crew of around 150 would depart the peninsula.

The last flight by US bombers was 17 days earlier when four US F-35B stealth fighter jets and two B-1Bs flew over the peninsula.

The North's missile and nuclear capabilities have made significant progress under leader Kim Jong-Un, who on Saturday told party officials that the country's atomic weapons were a “treasured sword” to protect it from aggression.