The U.S. sent B-1B Lancer supersonic strategic bombers to South Korea for the first time since 2017

Last weekend, U.S. B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers visited South Korea for the first time since 2017.

Here's What We Know

The United States sent bombers to South Korea for the first time in five years. This was in response to the airplane and missile activity of the DPRK, which launched several dozen missiles in a week. Among them was a ballistic missile that caused an air alert in northern Japan. Interestingly, the DPRK itself calls its actions a response to the joint exercises of the United States and South Korea.

In any case, one of the exercises was attended by four American fighters of the fourth generation F-16 Fighting Falcon, along with two supersonic bombers B-1B Lancer. They were joined by a fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II from South Korea's fighter fleet. You can see them all in the picture below.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the arrival of the B-1B Lancer on the Korean Peninsula is a demonstration of the allies' willingness to respond forcefully to any provocation by the DPRK and the commitment of the United States to protect South Korea with any force, including nuclear.

The B-1B is the newest version of Rockwell's B-1 strategic bomber. The U.S. is now developing a plan to retire the aircraft amid the impending announcement of the next-generation B-21 Raider nuclear bomber.

Source: VA