The United States deployed B-1B bombers to East Asia earlier this week for multiple geopolitical assignments, first in South Korea and then in Japan. 

First, the long-range bombers participated in joint military drills with jets from South Korea on Tuesday, an operation that drew the ire of North Korean government officials. The military aerial collaboration reportedly occurred on the 113th birthday of the country’s first leader, Kim Il Sung, an important anniversary in the country’s culture.