Clear strategic message for China. USAF Lancers visited Japan

For two days in a row now, United States Air Force Rockwell B-1B Lancer strategic bombers landed at Misawa Air Base in the Aomori Prefecture (Japan).

On 28 and 29 October 2020, the 77th Weapons Squadron flagship B-1B 85-0077/WA, named "Bones" and 489th Bomb Group flagship B-1B 85-0089/DY flew from their temporary base Andersen on the island of Guam to Misawa.

Already on 20 October, approximately 200 airmen and four B-1B bombers from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron (EBS) from Dyess AFB (TX), arrived at Andersen AFB (Guam), to conduct Bomber Task Force (BTF) deterrence missions in support of Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts.

Before arriving at Andersen, the Lancers integrated with 16 F-15J/DJ Eagles and two Mitsubishi F-2 fighters from the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JASDF) in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan. The past week, more visits were made to Japan itself.

It had been more than three years since a USAF B-1B Lancer landed on Japanese soil. By sending the flagship bombers, the USAF BTF shows its deterrence commitment to the JASDF and the region as a whole.

Scramble Magazine assesses that the role of China is significant in the increase of Bomber Task Force missions. The number of the JASDF’s Scrambles against Chinese aircraft marked a record high of 851 in FY2016 and has maintained a high level since then.

Photos: @nantoka_1983 / Graphics: @AircraftSpots