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The
U.S. military confirmed their temporary deployment to the U.S.
Pacific territory as part of a "bomber task force" mission on
Thursday, a day after aircraft-spotting websites reported their
flight from home bases in the United States.
"It is ... meant to send a message that the United States stands
closely with its allies and partners to deter potential
provocation," Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder
told a briefing, when asked if the mission was aimed at sending
North Korea a message.
The bombers' presence is also aimed at demonstrating that the
United States has the capability to conduct global operations at
any time, he added.
North Korea has conducted a record number of missile tests this
year, including launching one over Japan. Officials in
Washington and Seoul say North Korea also appears prepared to
resume nuclear testing for the first time since 2017.
North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests since 2006.
The United States and its allies in South Korea and Japan have
stepped up displays of military force in response to North
Korea's missile tests, including conducting naval drills with a
U.S. aircraft carrier and staging major field exercises for the
first time in years.
B-1B bombers have participated in shows of force against North
Korea in previous years. North Korea denounces military
exercises by the United States and its allies as provocative and
proof of hostile intentions.
During their temporary stay in Guam, the bombers will partner
with unspecified allied forces for several training missions in
the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Air Force said in a statement.
“The B-1 is an especially capable platform in this region, being
able to travel large distances and bear significant firepower
with precision and standoff munitions,” Lieutenant Colonel
Daniel Mount, of the 37th Bomb Squadron, said in the statement.
Bomber task force missions "play a critical role in deterring
potential adversaries and challenging their decision calculus",
another officer said.
Tension has also been high in recent months over self-ruled
Taiwan, which China claims.
A visit to the island in August by U.S. House of Representatives
Speaker Nancy Pelosi enraged China, which subsequently launched
military drills near the island. Those have continued, although
on a much reduced scale.
(Reporting by Josh Smith)
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