This Time, a US Nuclear Bomber Appears Over the West Sea Airspace

US Air Force Strategic Bomber 'B-52H'
Conducts Joint Training with ROK Air Force over West Sea
12 Deployments of US Strategic Assets to Korean Peninsula This Year

On the 15th, the U.S. Air Force strategic bomber B-52H conducted joint training with the Republic of Korea Air Force over the West Sea of the Korean Peninsula.

According to the Ministry of National Defense and the Air Force, the joint U.S.-ROK air training on that day was conducted with two B-52Hs entering the airspace over the West Sea, escorted by fighter jets from both the U.S. and ROK Air Forces. The ROK Air Force participated with F-35A and F-15K aircraft, while the U.S. Air Force deployed F-35B and F-16 fighters.

The B-52H was also deployed to the Korean Peninsula from the U.S. mainland in mid-last month to participate in the defense exhibition "Seoul ADEX 2023" held at Seongnam Seoul Airport. At that time, the B-52H landed at a Korean Air Force base for the first time in history and participated in joint air exercises involving the U.S.-ROK and U.S.-ROK-Japan alliances.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The B-52H, a representative strategic bomber owned by the U.S. military, is capable of nuclear armament. The deployment of U.S. strategic bombers, including the B-52H, to the Korean Peninsula has occurred 12 times this year, including this instance. This frequent deployment of the B-52H to the peninsula is analyzed as a measure to strengthen extended deterrence capabilities in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The Ministry of National Defense attributed significance to the joint U.S.-ROK air training on this day, stating, "By increasing the frequency and intensity of the deployment of U.S. strategic assets, it produces an effect equivalent to a permanent deployment, and it is evaluated as the 'operationalization of extended deterrence' carried out through close cooperation between the U.S. and ROK."

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reiterated the extended deterrence commitment, including the regular deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula, at the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held in Seoul on the 13th. The Ministry of National Defense emphasized, "By conducting air training with U.S. strategic bombers alongside U.S. and ROK air power, the alliance demonstrated its combined operational capability to respond immediately, overwhelmingly, and decisively to any provocation by North Korea," and added, "The ROK-U.S. alliance will continue to maintain the best combined defense posture based on 'extended deterrence together with the ROK and U.S.'."

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is scheduled to enter Busan Port next week. The expected arrival date is around the 21st.

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