In response to the assembly Due to the security threats, the United States has used its bombers to inflict violence and deter its adversaries: the B-1B Lancer was deployed for a mission following a missile test conducted by North Korea, while the B-52 was sent to the Middle East around Iran to deter.

The United States flew its B-1B long-range bomber in a trilateral exercise with South Korea and Japan on November 3, days after North Korea tested the Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could attack the U.S. mainland. The bomber trained alongside South Korean and Japanese fighters near the Korean Peninsula.

“Two U.S. F-16s from the 36th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Wing flew along with four Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2s from the 8th Air Wing and four Republic of Korea Air Force F-15Ks from the 11th Fighter Wing to escort a US Air Force B-1B Lancer,” said an official statement from the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).

According to the South Korean General Staff (JCS), the US bomber was escorted by South Korean, American and Japanese fighter aircraft during the exercises over waters where South Korean and Japanese air defense zones overlap.

Initially, the JCS claimed the exercises demonstrated the bomber's “overwhelming” ability to hit a simulated target. However, it was later emphasized that the training was not a live-fire simulation, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. This was the second trilateral air exercise between these three allies.

According to the JCS, the exercises demonstrated the will and willingness of the three nations to oppose North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. “This exercise took place in response to North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on October 31,” it said. “As security cooperation between the three countries gradually increases, (we) will strengthen coordination to deter and jointly respond to North Korea's threats.”

The Hwasong-19 test was North Korea's first such test in over a year. The South Korean Defense Ministry said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was present at the launch site and gave the order for the missile test. He later described the launch as “an appropriate military action” to demonstrate Pyongyang's determination to counter actions by its opponents that pose a threat to his country's security.

For its part, in response to what it perceives as a North Korean threat, the United States frequently deploys some of its most advanced military weapons, including long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, on and around the Korean Peninsula.

The US has reportedly flown the B-1B bomber, which can carry a huge payload, over or near the Korean Peninsula four times this year. For example, at least one of these bombers was used in a joint bombing exercise in June this year.

Most recently, two B-1 Lancers from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas conducted a simulated close air support exercise with South Korean fighter jets last month. The aim of these exercises was to maintain the “defense readiness” of both states. The long-range bombers flew to Korea and back to Texas for the one-day training event on October 1st.

Typically, U.S. bomber missions are intended to demonstrate the U.S.'s ability to deploy lethal force and deter adversaries around the world. As experts have suspected, the US wants its adversaries to know that in the event of a possible conflict, the USAF's nuclear-capable stealth bombers can be quickly mobilized and launch attacks against the enemy.

B-52 bombers have landed in the Middle East

The US military announced on November 3 that US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers had arrived in the Middle East to deter Iran and its allies. This is the first time since 2019 that the nuclear-capable B-52s will be stationed at a base in the conflict region.

Some unidentified U.S. officials have reportedly told Air and Space Forces magazine that the U.S. has deployed a total of six B-52s, as well as an additional squadron of F-15E Strike Eagles and other aerial refueling aircraft to support these aircraft, despite the threat of attack becoming more imminent Iranian attack. According to the sources, the new air force was intended to compensate for the impending withdrawal of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

The B-52s deployed to the Middle East reportedly belong to the 5th Bomb Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. While these sources did not disclose where the bombers would be based in the region, the report noted that in recent days cargo planes departing from Minot have reached Al Udeid air base in Qatar.

The United States has more than six fully operational air bases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates that can host B-52 bombers. However, EurAsian Times was unable to determine the exact location of these bombers in the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of ​​responsibility.

Known as the Big Ugly Fat Fella, the B-52 bomber can fire various weapons and fly long distances. Additionally, they are among the oldest and largest active combat aircraft in the USAF.

Currently, the B-52 configuration includes internal carriage of eight missiles and an additional twelve missiles on external underwing pylons, each capable of carrying six missiles.

The USAF said in a statement that the B-52 can fly at “high subsonic speeds” and carry “nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance with global precision navigation capability.” It continued: “In a conventional conflict, the B-52 can conduct strategic strikes, air support, air defense, offensive air defense and maritime operations.”

The deployment is significant because it comes days after another USAF bomber – the B-2A Spirit – was deployed to attack underground targets of Iran's Houthis proxy militia group in Yemen.

What is noteworthy is that the B-2 was used for a bombing mission after more than seven years. This has essentially created the impression that the B-52s could also be used against any country targeting U.S. troops or assets in the region.

“Should Iran, its partners or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take all necessary measures to defend our people,” a Pentagon spokesman reportedly said the media.

The US bombers not only served to deter North Korea and Iran, but were also used to project force against their main adversary, China.

B-2 deployed to Guam

In June of this year, the B-2 bombers landed in Guam for the first time in five years after participating in the large-scale joint exercise Valiant Shield 2024 around Guam, Palau and the Northern Mariana Islands. The bombers were based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and trained alongside F-22 Raptors and Marine Corps F-35Bs.

It was a landmark event, as the last known B-2 landing in Guam was in 2019 for refueling during a bomber task force mission.

Guam is an American overseas territory in the Pacific that could be used as a base for operations against China in the event of hostilities. For this reason, Guam's Anderson AFB is rapidly being militarized and its defenses strengthened.

The B-52H bombers were also deployed to Guam in March 2024 to conduct a live-fire test of the AGM-183 Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) hypersonic weapon. The ARRW test site caused great excitement among military observers as it was the first instance in which a U.S. hypersonic weapon was observed in Guam, near China.