US deploys first-ever B-52H Stratofortress nuclear bombers in Indonesia
The US Air Force recently returned B-52H Stratofortress nuclear-powered bombers to the Indo-Pacific region. The planes arrived on the island of Guam before making their first-ever visit to Indonesia.
Here's What We Know
The US continues to carry out joint operations with partners in the Indo-Pacific amid fears of a possible conflict in the region involving China. The US Air Force has not yet disclosed details of the B-52H's dispatch to Indonesia.
#TNIAU confirmed that not one but two USAF B-52H Stratofortress landed at Kualanamu today
- JATOSINT (@Jatosint) June 19, 2023
They took off from Guam and were welcomed by 3x ???????? F-16s from Roesmin AFB
This is part of ???????????????? Interoperability Bomber Landing Exercise #CopeWest #BomberLandinghttps://t.co/sO9fCEZD25 pic.twitter.com/iaMY55JsfQ
OSINT officials reported that the Stratofortress had landed at Kualanamu International Airport. The Indonesian Air Force later confirmed the arrival of the two nuclear bombers, which arrived accompanied by F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters.
USAF B-52 Stratofortress in #Medan #Kualanamu @kno_airport as part of USAF-TNIAU exercise Cope West!
- Gerry Soejatman (@GerryS) June 19, 2023
Ini latihan yah, bukan serangan, misi mata², dll, dll yang aneh². ???? pic.twitter.com/MBaPx7vP5Y
The B-52H arrived in Indonesia from Andersen base on the island of Guam. The home of the strategic aircraft is US Air Force Base Minot in North Dakota.
Video : pic.twitter.com/hf5Zmf2zpo
- Osprey514 (@gara_nam) June 19, 2023
It has been suggested that the nuclear bombers could take part in a joint US-Indonesian exercise. The event, called Cope West 2023, began last week and will continue until June 23. Six US F-16 fighter jets and 100 military personnel, as well as seven Indonesian Air Force aircraft are involved in the exercise.
Source: The War Zone
