On Wednesday, the United States deployed B-1B bombers for joint drills with Japan and South Korea, as the three allies have stepped up against threats from North Korea.
The defense ministry of South Korea said that US-build B-1B flew alongside South Korean FA-50 jets and US Air Force F-16 jets as part of continuous Ulchi Freedom Shield drills.
The latest flight marks the 10th such flight by a US bomber this year.
North Korea constantly criticizes the annual military exercises as a trial for battle. The three allies have emphasized that the drills are defensive.
According to the Japanese defense ministry two US Air Force B-1Bs joined mutual exercises with 12 Japanese jets, including four F-15 jets.
The bomber exercises appeared days after North Korea tested a satellite launch that failed.
The US and South Korea started Ulchi Freedom Shield last week – a mutual large-scale military drill scheduled to improve their reaction to North Korean nuclear and missile threats, with the second part beginning on Monday.
The defense ministry of South Korea said in a statement that Wednesday’s drill was a demonstration of what the allies have called “extended deterrence” in the facade of Pyongyang’s current space launch vehicle flights and a display of “strong united defense posture.
On Tuesday, Japan also partook in a missile defense drill with the US and South Korea.
In a speech marking Navy Day on Tuesday, Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, blamed the US and its partners for raising the threat of nuclear war, referring to an August 18 summit at Camp David between Japan, the US, and South Korea.
