US B-1B bombers return to the island Guam in the context of increasing relations between the US and Russia and China, while North Korea continuously tests missile weapons.
The last time US bombers appeared on Guam was in February of this year when B-52Hs were deployed to the island to participate in the multinational military exercise Cope North.
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It is not clear whether the B-1B bombers were deployed to Guam to participate in the Valiant Shield exercise or as part of a Special Bomber Force (BTF) mission. US Strategic Command often conducts BTF missions in many regions around the world to affirm its commitment to collective defense and coordinate operations with regional commands.
There are also some reports that the US deployed B-1Bs to Guam as a deterrent against North Korean military actions, including nuclear tests.
The US Air Force has not yet commented on this information.
The US move comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula over a series of missile tests by Pyongyang. At the same time, the Russian Navy held a large-scale military exercise with more than 60 warships and aircraft in the Pacific Ocean. The Chinese military also exercised near the island of Taiwan to send a message about its sovereignty over the island.
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B-1B aircraft still have an important position in the US Air Force |
Dubbed the “Swan of Death,” the B-1B bomber is armed with guided weapons capable of delivering precision missile strikes from hundreds of miles away.
The US currently owns 45 B-1s after scrapping 17 planes last year to save costs and spend the maintenance and operating budget on the remaining planes.
According to The Drive
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