US B-1 Bombers Overfly Korean Penninsula Less Than 50 Miles From DMZ

I heard of this story from a friend the other night and thought I should post a thread for it here on ATS.

www.reuters.com...
From September 13th, 2016

Two U.S. B-1 bombers flew over South Korea on Tuesday in a show of force and solidarity with its ally after North Korea's nuclear test last week, while a U.S. envoy called for a swift and strong response to Pyongyang from the United Nations.

Speaking in the South Korean capital on Tuesday, Sung Kim, the U.S. envoy on North Korea, added that the United States remained open to meaningful dialogue with Pyongyang on ending its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

The article goes on to say:

The pair of U.S. supersonic B-1B Lancer strategic bombers took off from their base in Guam and flew with two Japan Air Self Defense Force aircraft before a "hand-off" to South Korean fighters, according to the U.S. military.

The B-1Bs were then escorted by South Korean and U.S. fighter jets in a low-altitude flight over Osan Air Base, which is 77 km (48 miles) from the Demilitarised Zone border with the North and about 40 km (25 miles) from the South's capital Seoul.

"These flights demonstrate the solidarity between South Korea, the United States, and Japan to defend against North Korea's provocative and destabilizing actions," said Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.

North Korea's official KCNA news agency said public anger was "exploding like a volcano" over Washington's dispatch of bombers to South Korea.

"Any sanction, provocation and pressure cannot ruin our status as a nuclear state and evil political and military provocations will only result in a flood of reckless nuclear attacks that will bring a final destruction," KCNA said.

China urged restraint among all parties. "If there is a vicious cycle of tensions continuing to rise and mutual provocations, this is not in anyone's interests," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily briefing.

Here's another link to the story from NBC:
www.nbcnews.com...

On the one hand, I think we need to be standing these guys off. North Korea has been aggressively developing nuclear weapons for quite some time, and has been very vocal about their anti-American views. North Korean leadership has given the world the impression that they would like to attack the US, with nuclear weapons if possible. A little reminder then, of the capabilities and resolve that the American war machine possesses, is not unwarranted.

On the other hand, I can't help but experience a pang of anxiety and disgust at the world stage in general as it relates to the United States. What we've done to other developed and developing nations around the world in the name of freedom can't be lost on North Korea. It could be argued that we left our moral high ground behind a long time ago. They've(NK) been isolated from the world through sanctions for decades. I'm not exactly saying they're right, but is it really surprising that North Korea growls at the world like a caged dog that has been poked at least one time too many? Is it really surprising that they growl the loudest at the US? Not to me, not really. We are probably seen as evil, from their point of view.

There is idealism and then there is critical thinking. When I read about "barbarian" nations keeping us good folk out I cannot help but to think of North Sentinel Island.

This island has remained isolated for a long time. In fact, the people that have tried to get to them have been killed. It's a hard place to get to with no harbor of any sort and coral reefs surrounding the island. Barbarians though eh?

Then you must consider what happened to the other islands in that area when we do gooders came to visit. Many were killed by disease and they lost their lands and were marginalized into nothing. It makes you wonder if it is so animalistic to kill those foreigners with seemingly good intentions in that light.

Most people with their outward perspective think they are the center of justice and the good and the light in the world. I find that those people whom are most convinced of this are often just the opposite.

My point is whenever a nation is empowered they go about administering their brand of justice and kill out any non team players and offensive thought patterns. If you were on the receiving end wouldn't you want to quash to do gooder's enthusiasm?

Lol, not saying I want to live in North Korea by any means. But, hell, I live a slave willingly in my own country where people seem to be convinced they are free. Our prison system is the biggest in the world. Etc, etc, etc...

North Korea has been aggressively developing nuclear weapons for quite some time, and has been very vocal about their anti-American views.

Interestingly, you could reverse that and it is still very valid, perhaps even more valid than the original. Like this ...

American has been aggressively developing nuclear weapons for quite some time, and has been very vocal about their anti-North Korea views.

P

a reply to: Apollumi

nvm

a reply to: TheBadCabbie

You do know the Korean war never ended right? All that was agreed to was a cease fire. Secondly If N. Korea didnt want to be sanctioned then they never should have invaded S. Korea.

Kim Jung un is like a Jack Russel terrier biting and pulling on the pant leg of the U.S..
When we decide to finally kick the dog away he will know it well.

a reply to: Sillyolme

a reply to: Xcathdra

Lol. I ran this over to my husband to show him.

a reply to: pheonix358

Agreed, and that's why I tried to present an alternate point of view with my OP.

a reply to: Xcathdra

Dig it

a reply to: Xcathdra

Well maybe, but there's a reason we never got down to the final pissing contest back then, if I remember correctly...something about Korea's neighbors on the mainland thinking about getting involved. Massing troops along the border, something like that. We're technically still stuck in that standoff today. Different global political situation for sure, but we are still right there sixty years later. As you say, we still are technically at war with them. That was an actual declaration of war by congress, wasn't it?

a reply to: TheBadCabbie

Congress allocated 12 billion for military action so yes, they authorized it. Contrary to popular belief Congress is not required to use the term "war". China intervened when N. Koreans were pushed back to the Yalu river (border between China and N. Korea.

China and the USSR encouraged N. Korea to invade the South and provided them with material to do so. The N. Korean nuclear program is a direct result of the USSR building them a nuclear power plant.

a reply to: Xcathdra

Not an actual declaration of war then, but still an ongoing police action.

originally posted by: TheBadCabbie
a reply to: Xcathdra

Not an actual declaration of war then, but still an ongoing police action.

UNSCR 84

When N. Korea invaded S. Korea the UN demanded an immediate withdrawal of N. Korean forces. When N. Korea failed to comply the UN authorized combat operations under US joint command. Congress approved / funded the action.

I think its safe to assume a declaration of war / invasion of S. Korea by the North was also a declaration of war on the US. If you want to use the term police action go for it. I dont see much of a difference in the terminology when it comes to combat operations.

On a side note im all for reinstating Taiwan as a UNSC member instead of the current China.

July 29, 2017

This happens frequently I guess... Every time Kim Jong tries to prove how "bad" he is.

""The U.S. flew two bombers over the Korean peninsula Saturday in a show of force "in direct response" to North Korea's announcement that it conducted on Friday another test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces said.

After taking off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the bombers flew to Japanese airspace, where they were joined by two Japanese F-2 fighter jets. The B-1s then flew over the Korean Peninsula where they were joined by four South Korean F-15 fighter jets. The B-1s then performed a low-pass over the Osan Air Base near Seoul, before leaving South Korean airspace and returning to Guam.""

abcnews.go.com...

Maybe one of these times, a surgical strike on Kim Jong in his swimming pool will take place. Would that be awesome video!

a reply to: carewemust

The US and S. Korea also performed their own missile tests on one of S. Koreas coasts. Trump today tweeted he was upset that China refuses to do anything. To me this is a lead up so when we do act china cant bitch. They had their chance and opted to play games.

originally posted by: Xcathdra
a reply to: carewemust

The US and S. Korea also performed their own missile tests on one of S. Koreas coasts. Trump today tweeted he was upset that China refuses to do anything. To me this is a lead up so when we do act china cant bitch. They had their chance and opted to play games.

I agree with Trump. China's silence says a lot. "China urged restraint among all parties" is the best they can offer? To me, that means they're taking a neutral position and are going to let this escalate and play out.

This is yet another political mess for Trump. Imagine if he made an offensive strike against the North. The lefties would crucify him and accuse him of being a warmonger. If he waits until 'lil Kim finally succeeds and drops a bomb somewhere with loss of life, the lefties will crucify Trump for not taking the offensive to prevent it.

we need to stop playing games every time this happens otherwise there will be nukes on our cities eventually, can't everyone hear what north korea keeps telling us very clearly this time? they won't negotiate or stop their ambitions for any reason, we can't settle it peacefully and diplomacy will not work, they stated this quite clearly.

originally posted by: LogicalGraphitti

originally posted by: Xcathdra
a reply to: carewemust

The US and S. Korea also performed their own missile tests on one of S. Koreas coasts. Trump today tweeted he was upset that China refuses to do anything. To me this is a lead up so when we do act china cant bitch. They had their chance and opted to play games.

I agree with Trump. China's silence says a lot. "China urged restraint among all parties" is the best they can offer? To me, that means they're taking a neutral position and are going to let this escalate and play out.

This is yet another political mess for Trump. Imagine if he made an offensive strike against the North. The lefties would crucify him and accuse him of being a warmonger. If he waits until 'lil Kim finally succeeds and drops a bomb somewhere with loss of life, the lefties will crucify Trump for not taking the offensive to prevent it.

Either way, China wins. China isn't thrilled we're in the Korean Peninsula, nor are they thrilled about THAAD. Imho China would be thrilled if this world had one less super-power (the US).