Posted August. 11, 2016 06:58; updated August. 11, 2016 07:06
The U.S. has forward-deployed B-2 stealth bombers to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on Tuesday, followed by the recent deployment of B-1B supersonic bomber on last Saturday. B-2 stealth bombers are the most threatening military strength shunned by North Korea, as they are undetectable by radar and can assault with nuclear and conventional weapons at higher precision.
The recent redeployment of three B-2 bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam was announced by the United States Strategic Command on Tuesday. The command explained the bombers were rotated to stabilize the area and deter possible threats. Furthermore, the U.S. Navy already forward-deployed a number of B-1B supersonic bombers from the U.S. mainland to Guam last Saturday. The redeployment drew much attention, as B-1B bombers were forward-deployed to Guam for the first time in 10 years, along with the simultaneous stationing of both B-2 and B-1B bombers in Guam.
Military officials and outside experts see the recent deployment as a response to North Korea's provocations, which are expected to be made around the day when the US-ROK joint military holds its Ulchi-Freedom Guardian (UFG 2016) exercise later this month. North Korea, which continued to push ahead its nuclear tests and long and intermediate-range missiles from early this year, is highly likely to display another round of provocation with its nuclear strike powers during the UFG drills.
In its sixth attempt late June, North Korea succeeded vertically launching its Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile - an attempt which can possibly push North Korea to fire obliquely to the Guam base. When such an attempt is made, it is likely to cause a big stir, which was created during its alleged provocations on the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) "targeted" to the U.S. homeland.
If North Korea conducts such provocations, B-1B and B-2 bombers stationed in Guam are likely to make a sally over the Korean Peninsula within two to three hours, and stage an armed protest. Once flown over North Korea, these bombers can carpet-bomb around 40 nuclear bombs. This is why these bombers are called powerful tactical weapons aimed to protect South Korea under the "nuclear umbrella."
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