A B-52 bomber (60-0026) with new callsign HOJO11 has departed Moron AB in Spain. Heading southwest passing over Rota.
B-52 (60-0026, HOJO11) is continuing far west. Possibly one of a pair. @SirListenalot reported possible return to Minot AFB. Bomber Task Force to Moron AFB began a month ago with overflight of Tallinn and has involved noteworthy operations over Baltic region.
Another B-52 (60-0056, HOJO12) took the northern route. Possibly one of a pair. Possibly back to Minot AFB. #B52
The of the B-52 bombers (60-0056, HOJO12) has made it across the Atlantic from Europe and is approaching Minot AFB. Possibly one of two bombers flying northern route. Other bombers used a more southern route. #B52
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“We have already helped our Belarusian colleagues and equipped their planes, the planes of the Belarusian Air Force - 10 aircraft are ready to use this type of weapon.”
Reuters: Australia to buy up to 5 US Virginia-class nuclear-propelled attack submarines in 2030s. Moreover, in addition to annual port visits, by 2027 the US will forward-deploy some submarines in Western Australia (Perth?). reuters.com/business/aeros…
More details later today.
I have questions…about US sub building capacity, sale of sensitive technology. Hopefully more clarity after San Diego meeting later today.
Also curious report because earlier Bloomberg report with similar operational details suggested Australian subs would be more of a mix of UK and US parts. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Again, wait for more details from San Diego meeting later today.
Two B-52 bombers operating out of Moron AB in Spain are circling over southern Bulgaria. They are 60-0026 (NOBLE41) and 60-0056 (NOBLE42?). Both are nuclear-capable (but not carrying nukes).
Interesting that EUCOM announced B-52 deployment as the bombers were on their way. Normally they announce it after.
1/n - In addition to my earlier tweet thread about the HASC strategic forces hearing today, the prepared testimony from STRATCOM's new commander includes some interesting new and some curious statements. armedservices.house.gov/hearings/strat… Details below in this thread:
2/n - The first is that each silo in 3 new new missile silo fields "can be equipped with the CSS-10 Mod 2 ICBM [DF-31A], which is capable of ranging the continental United States...with...MIRVs."
Neither NASIC nor 2022 DOD report have attributed MIRV to DF-31A.
3/n - The second is "PRC's most modern road-mobile and MIRV-capable ICBM advanced from concept to deployed system in only a few years."
Well (assuming he's taking DF-41], DOD first reported it in 1997, then again in 2012, and first MIRV test in 2018.
Lambourn immediately shows his simplistic view of nuc strategy: "Now that China has more ICBM launchers than the United States, STRATCOM has more targets to hold at risk."
STRATCOM commander Gen Cotton did not take the bait from Lamborn that more Chinese launchers mean US needs to increase its nuclear arsenal.
Turner tries to use Russian New START to argue for looking at re-MIRVing US ICBMs and also mentions bombers (including B-1).