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US fighters and bombers flew over the Persian Gulf in a warning to Iran
US fighters and bombers flew over the Persian Gulf in a warning to Iran
Ryan PickrellMay 13, 2019, 23:01 IST
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron taxis for takeoff on a runway at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, May 12, 2019.U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Gardner
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A US bomber task force deployed to the Middle East conducted its first deterrence patrol on Sunday, US Air Forces Central Command revealed.
Responding to the threat of an Iranian attack on US interests, the US has deployed a carrier strike group, a bomber task force, an amphibious assault vessel, and an air-and-missile defense battery to the Middle East.
The B-52 bombers that flew on Sunday were accompanied by F-35A and F-15C fighters.
US fighters and bombers conducted a deterrence patrol over the Persian Gulf on Sunday as a warning to Iran, which the US has accused of plotting attacks on US interests in the region.
During the mission, US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress heavy, long-range bombers were accompanied by F-15C Eagles and F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters. The bombers and escorts were supported by a KC-135 Stratotanker providing aerial refueling.
US Central Command explained to Business Insider that the flight was intended to send a message to Iran and others that the US military is ready to defend its interests.
The bombers were deployed to the CENTCOM area of responsibility last week after the US reportedly received intelligence showing "clear indications that Iranian and Iranian proxy forces were making preparations to possibly attack US forces in the region," a US Central Command spokesman said.
Source: US Central Command
Sunday's patrol was the first mission for the four B-52s deployed to the CENTCOM area. "They’re here to defend our forces and interests," a US Air Forces Central Command spokesperson told Stars and Stripes.
Other US military assets sent to the Middle East to check Iran include the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, an amphibious assault vessel, and a Patriot air-and-missile defense battery.
The fifth-generation F-35As were moved into the theater for the first time in April to support ongoing operations. These stealth fighters have already conducted strikes in the region.
As CENTCOM bolsters its firepower, Iran has issued several warnings, at one point calling the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier a "target" rather than a threat. Iran has not yet, it appears, escalated beyond rhetoric though.
