US B-52 flyover of South Korea in response to North Korean nuclear test

As a show of force in response to North Korea’s nuclear test earlier this week the United States. has flown a B-52 long range bomber to South Korea to conduct a low level flight over a U.S. military base 30 miles south of Seoul, ABC News reported.

The U.S. conducted a similar flight in 2013 about a month after North Korea’s last nuclear test.

"A U.S. B-52 bomber from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, conducted a low-level flight in the vicinity of Osan, South Korea, in response to a recent nuclear test by North Korea," said a statement from U.S. Pacific Command. "The B-52 was joined by Republic of Korea F-15 fighter aircraft and U.S. F-16 fighter aircraft."

After the mission was completed the bomber returned to its base in Guam.

"This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland," said Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the commander of U.S. Pacific Command in the statement.

"North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations," Harris said. "U.S. joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security."

"The flight today demonstrates the strength and capabilities of the Alliance," said Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea commander. "The close military cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Korea ensures we are ready to respond at any time to those who would threaten stability and security."

Since Monday's test Defense Secretary Ash Carter has twice phoned South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo to reaffirm the American security commitment to South Korea to coordinate possible responses to the North Korean test.

While North Korea has claimed that its test was a hydrogen bomb, the U.S. does not believe that is the case. The initial U.S. intelligence assessment "is not consistent with North Korean claims of a successful hydrogen bomb test," said Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary on Wednesday.

Source: MENA