US flies B-1B bombers near North Korea in second show of force sparking fury by interrupting Kim Jong-un’s celebration
THE US continued to show off its military prowess by flying B-1B bombers in a drill held near North Korea.
American F-16 fighter jets as well as South Korean F-16 and F-35 planes also took part in the aerial show of force.
The training drill took place on Tuesday over the Korean Peninsula and it is set to irk despot Kim Jong-un.
This is because the military activity coincided with the 113th birthday of Kim il Sung – the founder of the hermit kingdom.
The exercise was the second drill featuring a B-1B fighter plane alongside South Korean aircraft since Donald Trump returned to office in January.
Two B-1B bombers flew over the Korean Peninsula and the aircraft has been used by the US Air Force since 1985.
The aircraft can reach the Korean peninsula within two hours from an airbase in Guam, per Defence Blog.
South Korean officials revealed joint military drills would continue to be held in a bid to deter Pyongyang.
North Korea has not yet responded to the drill, but often responds with its own military activity such as missile launches.
Kim il-Sung was born on April 15 1912 and North Korean state media hailed his philosophy, describing it as a “revolutionary foundation.”
Events were held across the country to commemorate the anniversary of the leader’s birth.
Kim il-Sung’s birthday is known as the “Day of the Sun” and is one of the most important holidays in North Korea.
A B1-B plane previously flew over the Korean peninsula in February, irking North Korean leaders.
They claimed it was a sign of Washington ramping up its provocation, prompting Pyongyang to respond with their own military drills.
B-1B bombers have the capacity to carry up to 24 MK-84 bombs that weigh 2,000 pounds each.
The aircrafts are powered by four electric turbofan engines – all of which have afterburners.
Each engine has a thrust of 30,000-plus pounds with afterburner, according to the US Air Force.
The planes are equipped to carry more than 120,000 kilograms of fuel and can reach speeds of more than 900 mph.
The B-1B bomber has been used in combat missions such as Operation Desert Fox in Iraq in 1998 and Operation Allied Force in what was known as Yugoslavia in 1999.
Meanwhile, the F-16 planes used in the drills can reach top speeds of 1,500 mph.
B-1B bomber fact sheet
THE US deployed B-1B bombers in a military drill that took place over the Korean Peninsula. Here's what we know about the long-range aircraft.
- Speed: 900mph
- Thrust: 30,000 plus pounds with an afterburner per engine
- Length: 146 feet
- Height: 34 feet
- Ceiling: More than 30,000 feet
- Crew: Four people – a commander, co-pilot, and two combat systems officers.
- Capacity: 24 MK-84 bombs that weigh 2,000 pounds each.
Source: The US Air Force.
An F-16 aircraft can carry up to two 2,000 pound bombs.
South Korea and the US have ramped up their military activity following Trump’s return to the White House.
In March, Seoul officials warned that joint military drills would be held alongside American forces.
But, two South Korean fighter planes accidentally dropped eight 500 pound bombs on a small town.
The military blunder left 15 people injured and damaged buildings in the town located near the North Korean border.
North Korean officials have fired warning shots to Trump and his team, claiming the country is not willing to abandon its nuclear program.
But, Trump and Kim Jong-un had a curious relationship during his first term in office.
Trump and Kim famously exchanged letters and in 2019, Trump became the first US leader to step into North Korea when he visited the demilitarized zone.
In one note from July 2018, Kim wished Trump “good health and success.”
And in another, from January 2019, Trump sent Kim his regards on his birthday.
The pair held summits in Singapore and Hanoi, but the latter held in 2019 collapsed without any agreement on disarmament.
Last month, Trump claimed he still had good relations with Kim and he described the kingdom as a nuclear power.
The White House has consistently vowed Trump will pursue a policy that he hopes will lead to the “complete denuclearization” of North Korea.
Officials at the Arms Control Association have claimed that North Korea has 50 nuclear warheads already assembled.
In March, Kim unveiled what he labeled North Korea’s first nuclear-powered submarine.
Analysts believe the sub could carry up to 10 missiles.