US B-1B Lancer Bomber “Makes Appearance”in Turkey: Strategic Show of Strength

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Two US strategic bomber aircraft, B-1B Lancers, landed at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey in what defense analysts have described as a “historic” deployment of these bombers on Turkish soil.

The deployment of the two US bomber aircraft occurred  during increasing tense situation in the Middle East due to the conflict between Israel and armed Palestinian groups, which posed the risk of spreading to other countries in the region.

Turkey and its President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have been vocal in defending the Palestinian people’s rights and condemning Israel’s inhumane actions.

As a result of Turkey’s strong condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza, the Jewish state instructed all its diplomats in Turkey to return home as a protest against Ankara’s actions.

Turkey and Israel, a strong ally of Washington, maintain diplomatic relations.

 

According to a statement from the United States Department of Defense, the “visit” of the two B-1B bomber aircraft to Incirlik Air Base included a “Hot-pit Refuel” operation at the airbase.

Incirlik Air Base also serves as a NATO airbase, and Turkey is a member of the European military alliance.

“Hot-Pit Refuel” refers to the process of refueling aircraft without shutting down their engines, and once refueling is completed, the aircraft can take off again.

 This exercise is conducted to ensure that the refueled aircraft can return to the battlefield as quickly as possible.

Significantly, the presence of the two American bomber aircraft demonstrates the country’s military assets’ capability to be deployed to any “hotspot” worldwide, including areas near Israel.

 

Both American B-1B bomber aircraft are assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, based at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.

Currently, both aircraft have been deployed to RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom for the Bomber Task Force-Europe 24-1 mission.

According to the United States Department of Defense, the deployment of the two B-1B bomber aircraft to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey is part of a “long-planned bomber mission.”

The two B-1B bomber aircraft were reported to spend approximately two hours at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey for “Hot-Pit Refuel” before taking to the air again for exercises with the Turkish Air Force’s combat aircraft.

The joint exercise with the Turkish Air Force involved KC-135 refueling aircraft and F-16 fighter aircraft.

Originally designed as a strategic nuclear bomber, the B-1B Lancer aircraft flew at low altitudes to avoid detection by Soviet early warning radar during the Cold War.

With the end of the Cold War, the B-1B Lancer was adapted to carry conventional bombs and has been extensively used in bombing missions and close air support.

Equipped to carry a payload of up to 34,000 kilograms, the B-1B Lancer is considered the backbone of the United States Air Force’s long-range bomber fleet. — DSA

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