U.S. sends Air Force bombers to S. Korea in response to North's nuclear test

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, escorted by U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, performs a flyover over Osan Air Base, ROK, Sept. 13, 2016. The flyover highlighted the close cooperation between American and ROK military forces that keeps them ready to respond at any time to threats to stability and security. The B-1s are currently assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dillian Bamman)

The US sent supersonic bombers to South Korea on Tuesday to demonstrate the “steadfast and unshakable” US defense commitment to its key ally in the wake of North Korea’s nuclear test, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The two B-1B bombers left Guam in the morning and flew past the US air base in Pyeongtaek, 70 km south of Seoul, accompanied by a flight of four South Korean F-15K and four US F-16 fighter jets.

U.S. Army Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, U.S. Forces Korea commander, and Republic of Korea army Gen. Lee, Sun Jin, Chairman of the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff, observe a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer escorted by ROK F-15K Slam Eagles performing a flyover over Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 13, 2016. The close military cooperation between the U.S. and ROK keeps us ready to respond at any time to those who would threaten stability and security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo)

The flybys highlight the close cooperation between the US and South Korean military forces that keeps them ready to respond at any time to threats, the US Air Forces Korea (USFK) said. On Friday, North Korea detonated its fifth nuclear device in the face of strong protest from the international community to halt its weapons of mass destruction programs.

“North Korea’s nuclear test is a dangerous escalation and poses an unacceptable threat. The US has an unshakable commitment to defend allies in the region and will take necessary steps to do so, including operations like this one today, and the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) battery to the Korean Peninsula,” USFK Commander Gen. Vincent K. Brooks was quoted as telling reporters at Osan Air Base.

Republic of Korea army Gen. Lee, Sun Jin, Chairman of the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff, shakes hands with U.S. Army Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, U.S. Forces Korea commander, as Republic of Korea air force Lt. Gen. Lee, Wang Keun, Republic of Korea Air Forces Operations Center commander, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas W. Bergeson, 7th Air Force commander, stand by at the conclusion of a press conference following a flyover in response to recent provocative action by North Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rasheen Douglas)

“Today’s demonstration provides just one example of the full range of military capabilities in the deep arsenal of this strong alliance to provide and strengthen extended deterrence,” Brooks said.

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