US Air Force Flies B-52 Bombers Over Mideast In Sync With Allies

A B-52H Stratofortress bomber in flight over the Middle East
A B-52H Stratofortress bomber in flight over the Middle East

Two US B-52H Stratofortress bombers flew over the Middle East , in a multilateral drill with partner air forces in the region, CENTCOM announced on Thursday.

“This Bomber Task Force mission demonstrates our commitment to regional security and the collective capabilities of our military partners in the region,” CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla said. “CENTCOM has the ability to very quickly put a significant amount of combat power in the air alongside our partners.

A press release by CETCOM did not specify the exact date and time of the bomber mission.

The US Air Force periodically sends B-52 bombers to fly over the region both as a show of force and resolve, as well as a coordinating exercise with air forces of partner nations, such as Israel and some Arab states.

However, the latest drill was the first of what CENTCOM called "multilateral use of Transverse," a program that "enhances partner nations' operational situational awareness."

“This Bomber Task Force is a clear reflection of enduring U.S. commitment to the region,” said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander. “Together with our partners, we can rapidly inject overwhelming combat power into our common operating area.

The bombers came from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana and integrated their mission with 13 partner nation air forces.

CENTCOM also said that Gen. Kurilla held one-on-one discussions on "matters of mutual importance" with top military leaders of partner nations in the region, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.