Two B1-B U.S. bombers flew over South Korea on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea for its launch of another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the U.S. military said.
The Guam-based bombers' mission came in response to "North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear programs, and as a part of the continuing demonstration of ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies," the 7th Air Force said.
They trained together with South Korean fighter jets, it added.
A top U.S. military commander said the allies are gearing up to cope immediately with every emergency situation.
"North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander. "Diplomacy remains the lead; however, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario. If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing."
The North fired the ICBM late Friday night, the communist nation's second ICBM launch in less than a month.
The U.S. sent two B-1Bs here in early July for a joint training with South Korea's Air Force, days after the North's previous ICBM launch. (Yonhap)
