A U.S. B-1B Lancer supersonic bomber capable of carrying nuclear bombs joined joint U.S.-South Korean maneuvers Saturday in response to Friday’s test launch of a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the strategic bomber flew over South Korea’s air defense and identification zone (KADIZ) escorted by South Korean F-35A and U.S. F-16 fighter jets.
«These maneuvers once again demonstrate the joint military capability of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and Washington’s commitment to the protection of the Korean Peninsula and extended deterrence,» the South Korean military stressed in a statement carried by Yonhap news agency.
In addition, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed that Washington will continue to cooperate closely with Seoul to monitor North Korea’s military actions and enhance the joint response to North Korean «provocations».
The United States has sent two B-1B strategic bombers to Korea for the first time since 1917 as part of the ‘Vigilant Storm’ maneuvers.
North Korea launched a nuclear-capable Hwasong-17 intercontinental missile on Friday. The missile can carry several nuclear warheads to a radius of about 15,000 kilometers, enough to reach the entire U.S. mainland.
