Flashpoints

US B-52H Bombers and P-8A Sub-Hunting Aircraft Train Over East China Sea

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Flashpoints

US B-52H Bombers and P-8A Sub-Hunting Aircraft Train Over East China Sea

Two U.S. bombers and two maritime patrol aircraft conducted a joint training mission over the East China Sea last week.

US B-52H Bombers and P-8A Sub-Hunting Aircraft Train Over East China Sea

Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers fly over the Pacific Ocean during a training mission on August 1, 2018.

Credit: U.S. Air Force

Two U.S. Air Force (USAF) B-52H Stratofortress long-range, heavy bombers and two U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducted a training exercise in the vicinity of Japan over the East China Sea on August 1, Pacific Air Forces said in a statement last week.

The main aim of the exercise was to improve combined and joint service interoperability. The joint drill was also meant to “demonstrate, though multi-service flight operations, the United States’ commitment to operating freely across the global commons,” according to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). Over the few last years, China and Russia have both stepped up their military presence in the East China Sea.

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