'Death Swan' B-1B Bomber, Reason for Absence from Vigilant Storm

US 7th Air Force: "Training is purely defensive in nature"
Interpreted as a choice to avoid giving North Korea a pretext for provocation

US B-1B strategic bomber

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The B-1B strategic bomber, the strategic asset most likely to be deployed on the Korean Peninsula in case of emergency, did not participate in the South Korea-U.S. joint air exercise "Vigilant Storm," which began on the 31st of last month. Analysts suggest this is to avoid giving North Korea any pretext for provocation, as Pyongyang has recently blamed both South Korea and the U.S. for its consecutive provocations.

Kelly Jeter, spokesperson for the U.S. 7th Air Force, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 2nd, "I cannot disclose detailed training content, but the first day of the exercise was very successful," adding, "Dozens of almost all types of South Korean and U.S. military aircraft participating in this exercise flew together for an hour during the training."

However, Jeter stated that the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber, recently deployed to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, would not participate in this exercise.

When asked whether the exercise was intended as a deterrent against North Korea amid concerns about a possible seventh nuclear test, Jeter explained, "It is part of the annual and ongoing training plan to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. air force alliance," emphasizing, "It is purely defensive in nature and not intended to threaten or provoke any country."

Previously, the B-1B moved to Guam in June and conducted training with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. Additionally, when the B-1B was redeployed to Guam on the 20th of last month, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces stated that "compared to the deployment four months ago, there will be more training with various allies in the Indo-Pacific."

At that time, there were expectations that the B-1B would participate in Vigilant Storm to send a strong warning message to North Korea, but ultimately the U.S. decided to refrain from moving the B-1B. This is interpreted as a choice to avoid giving North Korea a pretext for provocation. Jeter’s emphasis on "defense" aligns with this context.

In fact, North Korea has repeatedly violated the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement by conducting artillery fire and has criticized the South Korean U.S. Forces’ multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) firing drills. North Korea defines U.S. or South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises as preemptive provocations and claims its provocations are responses to those actions.

Some view that if North Korea provokes even with the B-1B deployed on the Korean Peninsula, there is no effective response other than a "strong versus strong" confrontation.

Meanwhile, the B-1B is considered one of the U.S.'s "three major strategic bombers," along with the B-2 and B-52. The B-1B can reach the Korean Peninsula from Guam in two hours, making it the top U.S. strategic asset expected to be deployed first on the Korean Peninsula in case North Korea carries out a seventh nuclear test or other significant provocations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.