The US has flown B-1B Lancer tactical bombers escorted by F-15 fighters off North Korea’s coast venturing the «farthest north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) any U. S. fighter or bomber aircraft have flown off North Korea’s coast in the 21st century.»
Just before North Korea’s foreign minister was due to address the United Nations, the Pentagon announced that U. S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers escorted by fighter jets flew in international airspace over waters east of North Korea on Saturday, in a show of force which «demonstrated the range of military options available to President Donald Trump.» The flight was the farthest north of the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea that any U. S. fighter jet or bomber has flown in the 21st century, the Pentagon added .
B-1B Lancer prepares to take off from Andersen AFB, Guam, Sept. 23,2017
According to Reuters, the B-1B Lancer bombers came from Guam and the U. S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter escorts came from Okinawa, Japan. The Pentagon saod the operation showed the seriousness with which it took North Korea’s “reckless behavior.”
#USAF bombers, fighters fly in international airspace east of #NorthKorea, farthest north of the DMZ in 21st century https://t.co/R5DLUQigSF pic.twitter.com/fsFx4Q1oKE
— U. S. Pacific Command (@PacificCommand) September 23,2017
“This mission is a demonstration of U. S. resolve and a clear message that the President has many military options to defeat any threat,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White, calling North Korea’s weapons program “a grave threat» adding that “ we are prepared to use the full range of military capabilities to defend the U.
