Pacific Perspective:B-52s Send Warning to North Korea

On 30 June 2023,two US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers participated in joint drills with US and Republic of Korea (ROK) fighter aircraft over the Korean Peninsula,the ROK Defense Ministry said.The nuclear-capable B-52s were escorted by USAF F-16 Fighting Faclons and F-15E Strike Eagles,both of which are nuclear-capable;as well as ROK F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and KF-16s.Said U.S. Forces Korea,it was an opportunity for the Alliance to:further strengthen its interoperability by demonstrating a combined defense capability,rapid deployment,and extended deterrence in the defense of the Korean Peninsula.* The B-52s were out of Barksdale Air Force Base,Louisiana,and not part of the Bomber Task Force deployed to the Indo-Pacific from Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota.* Under the Washington Declaration agreed when ROK President Yoon Suh Yeol visited the White House on 26 April 2023,the US pledged to defend the ROK from attack with the full range of its capabilities,including nuclear weapons.So US nuclear-capable systems are to be deployed to ROK,including Ohio-class ballistic nuclear missile submarines.* President Joseph R. Biden and President Yoon established a new Nuclear Consultation Group to strengthen extended deterrence;discuss nuclear and strategic planning;and manage the threat to the non-proliferation regime posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),according to the Washington Declaration.As well,the Alliance will work to enable joint execution and planning for ROK conventional support to US nuclear operations in a contingency and improve combined exercises and training activities on the application of nuclear deterrence on the Korean Peninsula.In keeping with the Presidents' commitments,the Alliance has established a new bilateral,interagency table-top simulation to strengthen our joint approach to planning for nuclear contingencies.President Biden reaffirmed that the United States' commitment to the ROK and the Korean people is enduring and ironclad,and that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK will be met with a swift,overwhelming and decisive response.Going forward,the United States will further enhance the regular visibility of strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula,as evidenced by the upcoming visit of a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine to the ROK,the first to visit since the Cold War.* The ROK has set up the new ROK Strategic Command.Furthermore,the two countries have established the Extended Deterrence and Consultation Group to better prepare the Alliance to defend against potential attacks and nuclear use and conduct simulations to inform joint planning efforts.