For the first time in history, US B-1B strategic bombers have deployed to northeastern Japan as part of a “Bomber Task Force” rotation, an initiative that strengthens the US military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Two B-1B supersonic bombers from the 9th Squadron took off from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas and landed at Misawa Air Base on April 15, 2025, after a joint training mission with South Korean fighter jets.
This is another move towards further "armoring" the region, following the deployment of six B-2 stealth bombers to the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, writes A2 CNN.
Although US bombers have been seen in Japan before, this is the first time the B-1Bs have been deployed there as part of an official Bomber Task Force mission. Earlier in February, several B-1Bs stopped in Misawa for rapid refueling, a technique that significantly increases the ability to respond and resume missions.
The "Bomber Task Force" concept, introduced by the US Air Force in 2018, aims to replace permanent deployments with shorter and more flexible rotations, to strengthen readiness, cooperation with allies, and maintain an unpredictable strategic presence.
The deployment to Misawa – a base covering an operational area of over 258 million square kilometers – allows the Air Force to reach hot spots such as the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait in record time, writes A2 CNN. The B-1B bombers are also capable of carrying AGM-158C LRASM anti-ship missiles, significantly increasing their potential for maritime operations in the event of crises in the region. (A2 Televizion)
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