Despite the cooling of tensions between Iran and the United States, the Pentagon has deployed a number of strategic bombers to the Indian Ocean as further deterrence against additional Iranian actions.
The Air Force has deployed an unspecified number of B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit strategic bombers to the Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, a small but strategically important naval and airbase in the Indian Ocean. A number of cargo and mid-air refueling planes have also joined the strategic bombers.
B-52s have a range of almost 9,000 miles; B-2s have a range of over 11,000 miles with just a single mid-air refueling. Tehran is approximately 3,500 miles away from NSF Diego Garcia; the southern coast of Iran is about 3,000 miles away.
Both aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear payloads. B-52s can carry approximately 70,000 lbs worth of munitions (conventional or nuclear). B-2s can carry about 45,000 lbs but they are stealth-capable, making them an ideal option against targets protected by heavy anti-aircraft systems.
A B-2 Spirit and its impressive payload.
The small naval airbase also houses a Military Propositioning Ship (MPS) squadron. The squadron, which belongs to the Military Sealift Command, can provision a full Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) for up to 30 days of operations.
NSF Diego Garcia sports a single runway (approximately 3.6 kilometers-long). The naval airbase has been utilized for combat operations in that Area of Operations (AO) before. Strategic bombers used it as a staging base in the early days of the Global War on Terror (GWOT).
Tensions with Iran have been sky-high following the targeted killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commanding general of the secretive Quds Force, a combination of CIA and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and arguably the most influential Iranian officer in the Middle East.
Despite the cooling of tensions between Iran and the United States, the Pentagon has deployed a number of strategic bombers to the Indian Ocean as further deterrence against additional Iranian actions.
The Air Force has deployed an unspecified number of B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit strategic bombers to the Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, a small but strategically important naval and airbase in the Indian Ocean. A number of cargo and mid-air refueling planes have also joined the strategic bombers.
B-52s have a range of almost 9,000 miles; B-2s have a range of over 11,000 miles with just a single mid-air refueling. Tehran is approximately 3,500 miles away from NSF Diego Garcia; the southern coast of Iran is about 3,000 miles away.
Both aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear payloads. B-52s can carry approximately 70,000 lbs worth of munitions (conventional or nuclear). B-2s can carry about 45,000 lbs but they are stealth-capable, making them an ideal option against targets protected by heavy anti-aircraft systems.
A B-2 Spirit and its impressive payload.
The small naval airbase also houses a Military Propositioning Ship (MPS) squadron. The squadron, which belongs to the Military Sealift Command, can provision a full Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) for up to 30 days of operations.
NSF Diego Garcia sports a single runway (approximately 3.6 kilometers-long). The naval airbase has been utilized for combat operations in that Area of Operations (AO) before. Strategic bombers used it as a staging base in the early days of the Global War on Terror (GWOT).
Tensions with Iran have been sky-high following the targeted killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commanding general of the secretive Quds Force, a combination of CIA and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and arguably the most influential Iranian officer in the Middle East.
In a press statement, President Trump said that “Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.”
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.