By Bill Gertz (The Washington Times)
A task force of nuclear-capable B-52 bombers has deployed for the first time to Australia in a show of regional force located to the south of China.
The bombers arrived last week at an upgraded Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal. Local reports called it a new era in Australia’s military alliance with the U.S.
A Pacific Air Forces spokesman confirmed to Inside the Ring that the bomber task force is underway Down Under.
“These missions demonstrate seamless interoperability with our partners and bolster regional security across the region,” the spokesman said. “To preserve operational security, we will not discuss specific details regarding future operations.”
The exact number of the strategic bombers from the 2nd Bomber Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, was not disclosed. Most task forces include up to six B-52s.
An Air Force photo of the deployment stated in a caption that the bombers arrived Sept. 1. “Operating from RAAF Base Tindal marks our ability to project, sustain, and regenerate decisive airpower across an expanding extended network,” the caption stated.
The long-range bombers can deliver nuclear bombs or conventional precision-guided weapons.
The Tindal base has been upgraded with new hangars and ramps for the bombers. It is located in northern Australia about 200 miles south of the northernmost coastal city of Darwin and about 2,000 miles from the tense South China Sea.
The base also hosts Australian F-35 stealth jets and MQ-4C Triton surveillance drones.
China has increased tensions in the region with new military construction in the sea on disputed islands claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines.
What’s more, China’s military in July conducted a short-notice test firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile that traveled some 4,000 miles into the South Pacific.
The bomber deployment coincided with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles saying, after a meeting in Washington with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, that the U.S. military presence in his country will expand further.
Currently, U.S. Marines are based in Darwin and a submarine rotational force was set up near Perth, with about 1,000 Navy personnel set to deploy in support of Virginia-class submarine deployments.
“Since we’ve come to government, you can see a through-line of growing American force in Australia, and we think that’s really important in terms of providing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, providing for stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr. Marles said.
“And that’s very much in Australia’s national interest.”
This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.
