The U.S. Air Force flew a B-52 bomber over South Korea in a symbolic warning days after North Korea declared a “spectacular success” in a hydrogen bomb test.
U.S. Pacific Command announced Saturday that the long-range strategic bomber flew from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and conducted a low-level flight over Osan, South Korea as a “response to a recent nuclear test by North Korea.” The plane was joined by South Korean F-15 and U.S. F-16 fighter jets.
“This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland,” said Adm. Harry Harris Jr., commander U.S. Pacific Command, in a statement. “North Korea’s nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. U.S. joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security.”
The official Twitter account of U.S. Pacific Command shared a picture of the bomber flanked by the fighter jets early Sunday.
#NorthKorea #DPRK #PresenceMatters @ROK_MND @PACAF @USAirForce @USUN pic.twitter.com/WcnNy0o90F
— U.S. Pacific Command (@PacificCommand) January 10, 2016
The bomber returned to the Air Force base in Guam upon completing its flight.
Osan is about 50 miles south of the Demilitarized Zone that separates the Koreas.
News of an “artificial earthquake” was reported Wednesday by South Korean officials and confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey. Soon after, the North Korean government said it had conducted a successful hydrogen bomb test.
The Obama administration has been skeptical about North Korea’s claim. On Wednesday, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said “the initial analysis that’s been conducted of the events that were reported overnight is not consistent with North Korean claims of a successful hydrogen bomb test.”
Members of the House of Representatives have indicated that there will be a vote this week to increase sanctions on North Korea in response to the police state’s apparent test.
North Korean Kim Jong-un said the test was part of a self-defense strategy against the threat of U.S. nuclear aggression.
The North Koreans have already conducted three tests of nuclear weapons.
According to reports, South Korea began blasting anti-North Korean propaganda across the border from loudspeakers on Friday.
