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After Diego Garcia, US deploys warplanes in Guam to beef up Indo-Pacific presence
A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes off at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on April 14, 2023. (Representative Photo, Credit: US Air Force)
In what appears to be part of a gradual build-up in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States has now deployed bombers in Guam after deploying more warplanes in Diego Garcia earlier this month.
The deployment in Guam comes after the United States deployed B-1B bombers for the first time in Japan last month.
While Guam in the western Pacific Ocean is part of the 'second island chain' strategy of the United States to contain China, Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is critical to operations in Central Command, Africa Command, and European Command.
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US beefs up Inco-Pacific presence with bombers in Guam
The US Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing, which operates B-52H Stratofortress long-range, heavy bombers, appears to have deployed an unspecified number of aircraft in Guam.
A video cited by Newsweek shows the unit's bombers undergoing maintenance and post-flight inspections at the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on May 22.
The B-52H bombers have a stated range of 8,800 miles and can carry up to 70,000 pounds of payload. They are also capable of carrying nuclear warheads. These aircraft are said to have 'worldwide precision navigation capability' and have a top speed of 650 miles per hour.
The news of B-52H's deployment in Guam comes after the United States increased the strength at the Diego Garcia base in the wake of ongoing tense nuclear negotiations with Iran.
In March, The War Zone reported that six B-2 bombers were deployed in Diego Garcia and the total number at one point reached 10 — an unusually large number in what was deemed as power projection amid rising international tensions.
Even as the B-2s left Diego Garcia, the United States increased the deployment of F-15 fighter planes at the base, according to TWZ.
In two tranches, TWZ has reported that the United States has deployed six F-15s in Diego Garcia to provide protection to the base and bombers stationed there.
Since the October 7 attack, the base has been used to strike Yemen-based Houthis who have terrorised the Red Sea.
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