Photos Show Allied Jets Escorting US Bombers in New Frontline Drills
Newsweek has emailed the Chinese and Russian defense ministries for comment. The North Korean Embassy in China did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.
Under the U.S. maritime containment strategy, Japan forms part of the First Island Chain, aiming to restrict China's military access to the wider Western Pacific Ocean. Japan also faces nuclear and missile threats from North Korea and has a territorial dispute with Russia.
Last month, four U.S. B-1B bombers were deployed to northern Japan as part of a Bomber Task Force mission at Misawa Air Base, demonstrating America's commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and to its allies and partners, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces said.
The deployment of American bombers, which are not nuclear-capable, comes after President Donald Trump questioned the reciprocity of the security treaty with Japan in March, stating, "We have to protect Japan, but under no circumstances do they have to protect us."
The U.S. Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conducted a bilateral exercise on May 9 in the airspace over waters surrounding Japan, the Japanese Defense Ministry said.
Officially released photos show a pair of U.S. B-1B bombers flying in formation with two Japanese F-35A stealth fighter jets over several undisclosed locations in Japanese waters.
"This bilateral exercise reaffirms the strong intention between Japan and the United States not to tolerate unilateral changes to the status quo by force," the Japanese Defense Ministry explained, adding that the drill enhanced the alliance's readiness and response capabilities.
In a Facebook post, Misawa Air Base said the exercise-described as a "Bomber Task Force joint integration training"-enhanced interoperability and demonstrated what it called a "united commitment" by the U.S. and Japan to regional stability and global security.
The B-1B bomber has the largest payload of conventional weapons in the U.S. Air Force inventory, capable of carrying up to 75,000 pounds of bombs and missiles. It has a top speed of Mach 1.2, traveling faster than the speed of sound, with an intercontinental flight range.
Japan has acquired F-35A fighter jets from the U.S., its treaty ally, to bolster its air power. The aircraft are currently stationed at Misawa Air Base on the Pacific coast and at Komatsu Air Base, which faces the Sea of Japan (known as the East Sea in South Korea) to the west.
The U.S. Pacific Air Forces said: "[Bomber Task Force] 25-2 showcases Allied strength and unity to deter aggression by showcasing its ironclad commitment to allies and partners while promoting peace, stability, homeland defense and keeping our forces mission-ready."
Japan's defense white paper 2024 read: "The international community has entered a new era of crisis. It is now facing its greatest trial since the end of World War II. The existing order is being seriously challenged. Japan finds itself in the most severe and complex security environment of the post-war era."
It remains to be seen whether the U.S. will deploy additional military aircraft to Japan. In addition to the bombers, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps recently deployed their stealth fighter jets-the F-35A and F-35B, respectively-to the Northeast Asian ally.
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