Two U.S. B1-B Lancer bombers joined South Korean Air Force jets in a precision low-altitude flying demonstration at the Seoul Air Show.
Prior to the air show, the B1-Bs engaged in an air-to-surface missile test.
This is the second appearance of the supersonic, nuclear-capable bombers over Korea in the past two weeks.
On Oct. 10, two B1-B Lancers participated in a military drill over the ocean off the Korean coast.
Though ostensibly a commercial air show, where aircraft, helicopters, and aircraft-related products are marketed to airlines, the event was staged at Seoul Air Base, a military facility.
The U.S. and South Korean air forces didn’t waste the opportunity to show off their high-tech products.
The air show saw an assembly of powerful planes: the latest American F35s and F22s along with South Korean F-15K fighter jets, and the big B1-Bs.
Meanwhile. the nuclear-power USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier task force returned to the South Korean port of Busan on Oct. 21 after a five day joint-forces exercise involving fighter jets, helicopters, and 40 naval ships and submarines from the U.S. and South Korean navies.
These exercises come as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump continue to make statements about their willingness to defend their nations and their allies’ territories.
North Korea characterizes the military exercises as “preparations for invasion” and considers them to be a provocation.
The United States describes the joint exercises differently.
“The purpose of those exercises and operations are to enable the combined defense of the Republic of Korea,” said Rear Adm. Marc Dalton, U.S. commander of Carrier Strike Group Five.
The United States is taking the opportunity to show the North Korean regime exactly what it would face if North Korea were to attack the South.
The military realities might not sway North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but his generals might be a bit more practical.
On Oct. 10 the White House announced that President Donald Trump will visit South Korea as part of his Asia trip in November.
South Korea’s official Yonhap News Agency reported that Trump might visit the demilitarized zone.
In a pair of tweets, the president cast doubt that he might consider direct talks with North Korea.
“Presidents and their administrations have been talking to North Korea for 25 years, agreements made and massive amounts of money paid hasn’t worked, agreements violated before the ink was dry, makings fools of U.S. negotiators,” he tweeted.
