10-23-2017, 01:13 PM
US ready to put 'nuclear bombers on 24-hour alert' for first time since the end of the Cold War amid growing tensions with Russia and North Korea
Amid rising tensions with North Korea and a resurgent Putin-led Russia, General David Goldfein told Defense One that the strategic bomber force will be ready at a day's notice for the first time in 26 years.
Adapting to the 'reality of the global situation', Goldfein's order would see B-52s readied at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and armed with nuclear weapons - something not seen since 1991.
Indeed, Barksdale - the home of the 2D Bomb Wing and Air Force Global Strike Command - is currently being refurbished in anticipation of the change in defense posture to allow the bombers to 'take off at a moment's notice'.
This is the latest defensive move from the US military, matching the bellicose threats that President Trump has posted on Twitter, putting North Korea, Iran and other American enemies on notice he will use the might of the armed forces.
The move would see nuclear-armed B-52s (pictured) parked on concrete pads the end of an 11,000-foot runway at Barksdale Air Force in Louisiana, where pads have been dormant since 1991
In a few months the pads at Barksdale Air Force (pictured), which are dubbed the 'Christmas Tree' because of their angular markings,' will be piled high with weapons
This comes after Donald Trump met with top military chiefs on October 6, and made a comment about 'calm before the storm.'
Speaking to Defense One, General Goldfein emphasized that orders haven't been given yet, but that they are preparing the bases in the event that it should happen.
'This is yet one more step in ensuring that we're prepared,' General Goldfein explained.
'I look at it more as not planning for any specific event, but more for the reality of the global situation we find ourselves in and how we ensure we're prepared going forward.'
Were things to escalate, the decision to fire would be made by General John Hyten, commander of Strategic Command, or General Lori Robinson, head of Northern Command.
Readying the B-52s is just one of many decisions facing the Air Force as North Korea continues to advance its nuclear arsenal.
Kim Jong-Un's rhetoric has grown more confrontational by the day - following his first threat to wipe the United States off the earth in early April.
So in addition to President Trump's confrontational rebuttals and Russia's increasingly confident armed forces, General Goldfein said it's best to be prepared.
Kim Jong-Un's rhetoric has grown more confrontational by the day - following his first threat to wipe the United States off the earth in early April. So in addition to President Trump's rebuttals and Russia's increasingly confident armed forces, General Goldfein said it's best to be prepare
Speaking to Defense One, General Goldfein emphasized that orders haven't been given yet, but that they are preparing the bases in the event that it should happen
Source: Dailymail.com
- US Air Force is prepping nuclear-armed bombers to be on 24-hour alert
- Armed B-52s will be parked at Barksdale Air Force for the first time since 1991
- Weapons will be ready to take off at a moment's notice if they get the command
Amid rising tensions with North Korea and a resurgent Putin-led Russia, General David Goldfein told Defense One that the strategic bomber force will be ready at a day's notice for the first time in 26 years.
Adapting to the 'reality of the global situation', Goldfein's order would see B-52s readied at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and armed with nuclear weapons - something not seen since 1991.
Indeed, Barksdale - the home of the 2D Bomb Wing and Air Force Global Strike Command - is currently being refurbished in anticipation of the change in defense posture to allow the bombers to 'take off at a moment's notice'.
This is the latest defensive move from the US military, matching the bellicose threats that President Trump has posted on Twitter, putting North Korea, Iran and other American enemies on notice he will use the might of the armed forces.
The move would see nuclear-armed B-52s (pictured) parked on concrete pads the end of an 11,000-foot runway at Barksdale Air Force in Louisiana, where pads have been dormant since 1991
In a few months the pads at Barksdale Air Force (pictured), which are dubbed the 'Christmas Tree' because of their angular markings,' will be piled high with weapons
This comes after Donald Trump met with top military chiefs on October 6, and made a comment about 'calm before the storm.'
Speaking to Defense One, General Goldfein emphasized that orders haven't been given yet, but that they are preparing the bases in the event that it should happen.
'This is yet one more step in ensuring that we're prepared,' General Goldfein explained.
'I look at it more as not planning for any specific event, but more for the reality of the global situation we find ourselves in and how we ensure we're prepared going forward.'
Were things to escalate, the decision to fire would be made by General John Hyten, commander of Strategic Command, or General Lori Robinson, head of Northern Command.
Readying the B-52s is just one of many decisions facing the Air Force as North Korea continues to advance its nuclear arsenal.
Kim Jong-Un's rhetoric has grown more confrontational by the day - following his first threat to wipe the United States off the earth in early April.
So in addition to President Trump's confrontational rebuttals and Russia's increasingly confident armed forces, General Goldfein said it's best to be prepared.
Kim Jong-Un's rhetoric has grown more confrontational by the day - following his first threat to wipe the United States off the earth in early April. So in addition to President Trump's rebuttals and Russia's increasingly confident armed forces, General Goldfein said it's best to be prepare
Speaking to Defense One, General Goldfein emphasized that orders haven't been given yet, but that they are preparing the bases in the event that it should happen
Source: Dailymail.com