First Female B-52 Squadron Commander in US Military "Participates in ADEX for Korea-US Partnership"

B-52H Landing Site Revealed... Warning Message to North Korea

"We participated in ADEX to continuously build and maintain the ironclad partnership we have established with Korea."

Lieutenant Colonel Vanessa Wilcox, the first female commander of the U.S. Air Force B-52H 'Stratofortress' Bombardment Squadron, responded this way on the 19th at Cheongju Air Base to questions from the Ministry of National Defense press corps asking, "Why is the B-52 landing here?"

She explained that the B-52H flew from the U.S. mainland to Seongnam Seoul Airport to participate in Korea's largest defense exhibition, 'ADEX 2023,' and is staying at Cheongju Air Base during the exhibition period. The B-52H participated in the ADEX opening ceremony celebratory flight on the 17th alongside U.S.-Korea air power such as the F-35A, F-22, and KF-21.

When asked about the significance of the B-52H landing at a Korean Air Force base for the first time, Lt. Col. Wilcox explained, "It means that we have truly established an integrated partnership with Korea."

She said, "It is a great honor to participate in this historic event," and regarding the Korea-U.S. alliance, she described it as "an occasion that demonstrates our resolve."

On the same day, the U.S. Forces Korea revealed the B-52 parked at Cheongju Air Base to the Ministry of National Defense joint press corps and domestic and international media. The public display of the landing site of the strategic bomber B-52, capable of nuclear armament, is interpreted as a warning message to North Korea, which is focused on nuclear and missile development.

Captain Sabin Park, a B-52H pilot born in Masan, Gyeongnam, also responded to an interview with the Ministry of National Defense joint press corps. Captain Park moved to the U.S. at age three and became a citizen, joining the Air Force because he wanted to fly planes. He said, "It is really great to return to my hometown and support ADEX together with Korea and the U.S.," adding, "This is my first time in Korea as an operational pilot." He explained the advantages of the B-52, saying, "In terms of combat capability, we perform various missions such as strategic attack, air interdiction, and close air support."

Major Rachel Buitrago, Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. 7th Air Force, said, "The mission of the B-52 is to support the airshow (ADEX). We came here at the request of the organizers," but added, "However, this is part of showing the ironclad promise that we protect peace and stability in this region to our ally Korea, the Korean people, and the Korean government." Regarding questions about extended deterrence provided by the U.S., Major Buitrago said, "One of the biggest parts of participating in the airshow is to show all Korean citizens that we (the B-52) can fly here from the U.S. I cannot disclose from where in the U.S. we flew for security reasons, but we have a very wide flight range."

Extended deterrence, one of the U.S. security policies, aims to deter attacks by third countries by signaling the intention to retaliate if an ally is attacked. It primarily involves deterring nuclear attacks on allies with U.S. nuclear weapons and also includes deterrence through conventional weapons. Strategic bombers, along with nuclear submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), are one of the three major nuclear retaliation means possessed by the U.S. military, and the B-52 is the representative strategic bomber of the U.S. military.

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