The United States Air Force's Pacific Command flew two B-1B Lancers from Andersen AFB in Guam to the Korean peninsula on July 30, 2017. During the ten hour mission the aircraft flew with Japanese Air Self Defence Force F-2 fighters over Japan before being joined by Republic of Korea F-15s over South Korea. The B-1Bs also flew a low pass over Osan Air Base in South Korea.
The mission was a response to North Korea's test flights of intercontinental ballistic missiles in July.
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, prepares for a 10-hour mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, into Japanese airspace and over the Korean Peninsula, July 30, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Gerald Willis)
"North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander. "Diplomacy remains the lead; however, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario. If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing."
(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jacob Skovo)
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer prepares to take off for a 10-hour mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, into Japanese airspace and over the Korean Peninsula, July 30, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger)
The B-1s first made contact with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighter jets in Japanese airspace, then proceeded over the Korean Peninsula and were joined by South Korean F-15 fighter jets. (USAF Photo)
Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, perform a low pass over Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wiseman)
The B-1s first made contact with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighter jets in Japanese airspace, then proceeded over the Korean Peninsula and were joined by South Korean F-15 fighter jets. (USAF Photo)
USAF Photo