Two U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses flew a direct, 36-hour round-trip flight from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., to the Persian Gulf on Friday, marking the fourth such show of force in the past 60 days, U.S. Central Command said.
“The aircrews flew a 36-hour, non-stop mission from the 5th Bomb Wing’s home at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., to the Arabian Gulf and back to send a clear deterrent message by displaying the ability to deploy overwhelming combat power on short notice,” CENTCOM confirmed in a statement.
Officials added the overflights were taken “to demonstrate the U.S. military’s continuing commitment to regional security and deterrence to aggression,” clearly rejecting Iran’s threats of a “crushing and fiery response” to such incursions.
The planes were escorted, part of the way, by F-15 fighter planes of the Royal Saudi Air Force.
Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s escort @usairforce B-52s from @TeamMinot in the #CENTCOM
