Minot AFB bombers deployed to Middle East | News, Sports, Vacancies

U.S. Central Command has confirmed that B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB recently arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of ​​responsibility.

National news sources reported that the bombers were deployed to the Middle East to contain Iran.

In a prepared statement Friday, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said: “Consistent with our commitments to protect U.S. citizens and forces in the Middle East, defend Israel, and de-escalate through deterrence and diplomacy, the Secretary of Defense has ordered the deployment of additional missile defense destroyers, a fighter squadron and tanker aircraft, and several US Air Force B-52 long-range strike bombers. Those forces will begin arriving in the coming months as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group prepares to depart.

These deployments build on the recent decision to deploy the High Altitude Terminal missile defense system to Israel, as well as the permanent deployment of the Defense Department’s amphibious assault force expeditionary force to the Eastern Mediterranean, he said.

“These movements demonstrate the flexible nature of U.S. global defense policy and the ability of the United States to rapidly deploy its forces around the world to address evolving threats to national security.” – said Ryder.

“Secretary of State (Lloyd) Austin continues to make clear that if Iran, its partners or its proxies use this moment to attack American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take all necessary measures to protect our people,” Ryder added.

U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command announced Friday that the next Bomber Task Force Europe deployment is scheduled to begin in the coming days when U.S. strategic bombers move from the continental United States to U.S. European Command’s area of ​​responsibility. The announcement did not provide details about the type or number of aircraft or the specific destination.