Angered by the deployment of B-2 bombers to Guam, North Korea accused Washington of preparing for a surprise nuclear attack in connection with upcoming U.S.
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“What should not be overlooked is that the massive forward-deployment of nuclear war hardware is under way with the approach of the Ulji Freedom Guardian”, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said.
In response to the US moves, the North’s military will “take merciless retaliatory counteraction” against them, it said. The drills are set to begin on 22 August. It also claimed the U.S.is mulling a surprise nuclear attack in the course of the joint military drill.
A recent debate in the US has centered on whether the Barack Obama administration may leave a pacifist legacy before a successor is elected in November’s presidential election – one option could see Washington adopt a so-called “no first use” policy regarding nuclear weapons.
Military drills south of the inter-Korean border often stir up further provocations by Pyongyang, as it sees such exercises as preparations for an invasion.
The USPACOM said in a report posted Tuesday that it sent three B-2 bombers equipped with the most cutting-edge offensive and stealth technologies to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The rhetoric has been increasingly heated this year amid rising tensions since the North conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a series of rocket and missile launches. “Bomber training missions ensure crews maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency and demonstrate our ability to provide an always-ready global strike capability, whenever and wherever we are called to do so”, said Admiral Cecil D Haney, commander of Strategic Command.
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“Bomber aircraft provide the USPACOM area of responsibility with an effective deterrent capability, ensuring the regional security and stability of the United States and our allies and partners”.
