Flexing the Nuclear Muscles

The Air Force on Monday sent five nuclear-capable bombers on simultaneous non-stop flights from the continental US to the North and Baltic Seas in one of the biggest flexes of its nuclear might, US Strategic Command announced. The aircraft – one B-52 from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La.; two B-52s from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, N.D.; and two B-2s from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo. – are flying to the North and Baltic Seas, around the North Pole and Alaska, and over the Pacific Ocean to Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, non-stop with the support of Canadian and US fighter aircraft, along with NATO partner aircraft in Europe. The aircraft will conduct inert weapon drops at the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, STRATCOM said. “Polar Roar demonstrates the ability of the US bomber force to provide a flexible and vigilant long-range, global-strike capability, and provides unique and valuable opportunities to train and integrate with allies and partners,” STRATCOM said in a news release.