A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing being deployed to Middle East. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Washington, November 22 (RHC)-- U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers have reportedly been deployed to the Middle East amid concerns that Donald Trump might be seeking to escalate the situation with Iran.
The two bombers belonging to the 5th Bomb Wing, from Minot AFB, North Dakota, carried out a round-trip mission in the region on Saturday. The U.S. Central Command claimed in a statement that the mission was launched on a short-notice “to deter aggression and reassure U.S. partners and allies.”
“The non-stop mission demonstrates the U.S. military’s ability to deploy combat airpower anywhere in the world on short notice and integrate into CENTCOM operations to help preserve regional stability and security,” the CENTCOM alleged.
The outgoing U.S. president is reportedly trying to make it difficult for the incoming administration of President-elect Biden, whose victory he has disputed, to calm tensions in the region and return to the internationally backed nuclear deal with Tehran.
“Bomber Task Force missions highlight the robust and varied USAF capabilities that can be made rapidly available in the CENTCOM AOR,” claimed Lt. Gen. Greg Guillot, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander. “The ability to quickly move forces into, out of and around the theater to seize, retain and exploit the initiative is key to deterring potential aggression. These missions help bomber aircrews gain familiarity with the region’s airspace and command and control functions and allow them to integrate with the theater’s US and partner air assets, increasing the combined force’s overall readiness.”
Iran has warned of a “harsh response” to any U.S. hostile move after an American daily reported that President Donald Trump was considering an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Some other aircraft were also involved in the mission to support the B-52 bombers in the Persian Gulf.
Tehran has time and again asserted that it stands ready to defend its interests in the region in the face of any aggression from the United States or its allies.
