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The B-1B Lancer strategic bomber (courtesy of the Air Force)

US B-1B bombers, which are considered strategic assets, took part in separate joint exercises with the South Korean and Japanese air forces on Saturday. The B-1B Lancers were dispatched to the Korean Peninsula in response to North Korea’s test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) the previous day. The strategic bomber’s last appearance was two weeks ago, on Nov. 5.

“South Korea and the US carried out joint air exercises as B-1B strategic bombers from the US Air Force were sent back to the Korean Peninsula. As part of these exercises, F-35As from the Republic of Korea Air Force and F-16s from the US Air Force flew in formation while accompanying American B-1B strategic bombers entering the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ),” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Sunday.

“This exercise served to demonstrate once again South Korea and the US’ joint defense capabilities and posture, which are based on the alliance’s overwhelming military strength, and the US’ ironclad resolve to carry out its promises of extended deterrence and the defense of the Korean Peninsula,” the Joint Chiefs said.

“The exercises enhanced our ability to carry out joint operations by mastering the procedures for swiftly bringing implements of American extended deterrence to the Korean Peninsula as coordinated by our two countries. South Korea and the US will keep improving their joint operational ability to respond to enemy provocations in the event of a crisis while cooperating closely on tracking and monitoring related trends.”

The Joint Staff at Japan’s Ministry of Defense — the equivalent of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff — said that two B-1B strategic bombers from the US military and five F-2 fighters from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force had taken part in US-Japan joint military exercises on Sunday.

“As the security situation grows more severe, the Japan Self-Defense Force and the US military carried out joint exercises in the air northwest of Kyushu,” the ministry said.

“This shows Japan and the US’ strong commitment to deal with any situation under the robust Japan-US alliance. We sought to confirm the immediate response posture of the Japan Self-Defense Force and the US military while also strengthening our joint operational capabilities.”

“The Japan Self-Defense Force and the US military will remain in close cooperation for the defense of Japan and the peace of the region and will maintain perfect readiness to respond to every situation,” the ministry stressed.

North Korea launched an ICBM believed to be the Hwasong-17 toward the East Sea from the vicinity of Sunan, Pyongyang, at 10:15 am on Friday.

While personally overseeing the test launch of the Hwasong-17, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said that the North would “react to nukes with nuclear weapons and to total confrontation with all-out confrontation,” according to North Korea’s state-run newspaper the Rodong Sinmun.

The B-1B is one of three bombers boasting the longest range in the US Air Force. It’s a supersonic bomber with a top speed of Mach 1.25 and a flight range of 9,400 km. It takes just two hours for a B-1B to fly from Guam to the Korean Peninsula. The B-1B can carry up to 60 tons of munitions in flight and also has stealth capabilities.

American B-1Bs were earlier dispatched to the Korean Peninsula on Nov. 5, the final day of the South Korea-US “Vigilant Storm” joint air exercises. On the same day, B-1Bs carried out joint exercises near Kyushu with fighters from the Japan Self-Defense Force.

During the Vigilant Storm exercises — which had been scheduled to end on Nov. 4 but were extended for one day — North Korea test-launched at least 30 missiles, including some older models.

By Shin Hyeong-cheol, staff reporter; Kim So-youn, Tokyo correspondent

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