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The Air Force has continued their preparation for escalation in the current conflict with Iran by sending six B-52 bombers with nuclear capabilities to a location that is just outside the reach of Iran’s missiles.
Whether it is grandstanding by the most powerful military force on the planet, or it is a strategic maneuvering of weaponry, the recent activity is sure to get the attention of the Iranian regime. If Iran’s leadership did not take President Trump seriously after he eliminated Qassem Soleimani last week, this powerful show of force will certainly create some fear within the country.
Aircraft Spots, a Twitter profile that describes itself as “Monitoring Military Air Movements”, posted the movement.
JAN 06: USAF B-52Hs MYTEE51 & 52 departed Barksdale AFB for Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean due to #Iran tensions. pic.twitter.com/2PgkMMnAXw
— Aircraft Spots (@AircraftSpots) January 7, 2020
Western Journal reported on the recent military moves.
The U.S. began building up its military forces in the region last year amid Iranian provocations in the Persian Gulf region. At that time, B-52s were dispatched to Qatar, but they were withdrawn after a few months.
Since the drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iran’s vows of retaliation, the U.S. has bolstered its troop strength in the region, which is now estimated at 80,000, the Examiner reported.
The most recent moves include 3,500 members of the 82nd Airborne who have been sent to Kuwait and 2,400 Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit who are in the region aboard the USS Bataan.
American forces in the region went to high alert Monday night over concerns that Iran or its proxies might launch a drone strike against U.S. sites, according to CNN, which quoted sources it did not name.
“There were indications that we needed to monitor the threats” even closer, CNN quoted what it called a U.S. official as saying.
It quoted a second official as saying that “all Patriot batteries and forces in the area” were on high alert against an “imminent attack threat.”
As these bombers sit in the Indian Ocean, Iran continues to move their military around the country possibly preparing for an attack or a defense. The Pentagon has not verified the bombers being sent anywhere, but regional commanders have reported that all military forces in the area are currently prepared to defend themselves, as well as deploy to any of the countries in the area.
