The US Air Force has deployed six nuclear-capable B-52 Stratofortress bombers to Guam, according to US Pacific Air Forces, adding more firepower to the region just hours after North Korean state media mocked President Donald Trump’s tweet referencing the size of his nuclear button as the „spasm
The talks mark the most significant thaw in relations between the neighboring states in years and the US remains cautiously optimistic that the dialogue could eventually provide fertile ground for diplomacy.
Washington and Seoul opted to postpone its annual military exercises until after the Olympics, but the Air Force said it will maintain „routine“ fire power in the region even as talks are ongoing.
„This forward deployed presence demonstrates the US continued commitment to allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region,“ the Air Force said in a statement.
Ongoing discussions between North and South Korea has not prevented Pyongyang from openly criticizing the US and its President Donald Trump in recent days.
North Korean State Media mocked Trump this week, calling his tweet about having a bigger nuclear button that Kim Jong Un the „spasm of a lunatic.“
Kim will likely also take issue with the US deployment of additional nuclear-capable bombers to Guam — a territory he has often threatened to target with a missile should the US provoke him.
But despite the recent cooling of tensions that has prompted talks between North and South Korea ahead of the Olympics, officials remain aware that Kim Jong Un still refuses to put his nuclear program on the table and understand that previous rounds of diplomacy have failed to bring about either denuclearization or a permanent peace treaty to formally end the Korean War (hostilities ended with a truce in 1953).
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and allies said Tuesday that the world community must continue to pressure North Korea to change its behavior, warning against complacency amid talks.
As Tillerson continues to push for a diplomatic solution, the US military officials is preparing for any conflict scenario by conducting mock missions and training exercises.
The B-52s and 300 airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base will replace the B-1 bombers currently stationed in Guam and join three B-2 stealth bombers that arrived at Anderson Air Force Base earlier this month.
