SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The U.S. military said it had deployed B-52 bombers to the Middle East on Saturday (November 21), just days after the Trump administration announced a drawdown of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the Air Force B-52H “Stratofortress” aircrews conducted the mission on “short notice” to deter aggression and reassure U.S. partners and allies.”
“The ability to quickly move forces into, out of and around the theater to seize, retain and exploit the initiative is key to deterring potential aggression,” said Lt. Gen. Greg Guillot, 9th Air Force commander.
“These missions help bomber aircrews gain familiarity with the region’s airspace and command and control functions and allow them to integrate with the theater’s U.S. and partner air assets, increasing the combined force’s overall readiness,” he added.
Fox News reported that the B-52 bombers left from Minot Air Force base in North Dakota.
Minot Air Force base is the only base in the United States that houses both intercontinental ballistic missiles in underground silos and a fleet of bombers also capable of carrying nuclear warheads, according to Fox news.
The move came after U.S. acting defense secretary Christopher Miller announced last week a drawdown of troops to 2,500 in each Afghanistan and Iraq by Jan. 15 of next year. There are roughly 4,500 troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 in Iraq right now.
“In light of these tremendous sacrifices, and with great humility and gratitude to those who came before us, I am formally announcing that we will implement President Trump’s orders to continue our repositioning of forces from those two countries,” Miller said Tuesday (November 17).
“This is consistent with our established plans and strategic objectives, supported by the American people, and does not equate to a change in policy or objectives.”
