WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Tensions in the Asia Pacific have been on the rise in recent weeks as North Korea reportedly put its nuclear weapons on high alert, threatening a preemptive nuclear strike against US and South Korean forces.
"Recent events demonstrate the continued need to provide consistent and credible air power throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Lori Robinson said.
The US and South Korean militaries are engaged in a major military drill on the Korean Peninsula.
Moreover, the United States has also been carrying out "freedom of navigation operations" in the South China Sea, actions that have been condemned by China.
STRATCOM routinely conducts bomber missions and deployed earlier in March B-52 nuclear bombers to Europe.
