First ever US bombers land in Indonesia with eyes on China
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The Pacific Air Forces state that the bombers will participate in the Cope West joint air exercise.
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US B-52 lands at Kualanamu Airport in Indonesia on Monday, June 19, 2023 (PACAF Twitter account)
For the first time ever, two Air Force B-52 strategic bombers arrived at Indonesia's Kualanamu Airport on Monday, marking a new blow to Washington-Beijing relations.
“This specific deployment of the B-52s to Indonesia highlights the importance of working with our allies, partners and other U.S. joint military units as we bolster our collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific,” a Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
The B-52s, which are assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron out of Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, arrived in the region as part of a Bomber Task Force deployment. The bombers will participate in the Cope West joint air exercise scheduled from June 12-23.
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“This training enables our Airmen to become familiar with other theaters and airspace, and enhances the enduring skills and relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges in support of the National Defense Strategy,” the PACAF spokesperson added.
The Harvard International Review considered that Indonesia's long non-alignment policy will be tested as tensions between China and the United States, the two largest superpowers, grow.
“It is unlikely that Indonesia and other partner countries would join the United States in using military force against China in the event of a significant escalation,” wrote Air War College professor Dr. Stephen Burgess in an April paper on US-Indonesian relations.
“Although challenges exist, with the right amount of will and creative effort, the United States and Indonesia can overcome them and strengthen their relationship.”
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“The USAF and PACAF can play a leading role in developing this partnership, while avoiding a transactional and paternalistic approach,” Burgess added.
“Integrating strategic bombers, such as the B-52, in operations and exercises enables different types of strategic bombers to operate forward in the Indo-Pacific region from a broad array of overseas and continental U.S. locations with greater operational resilience,” according to a PACAF statement.
“Bomber missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating USAF ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy.”
Continues US efforts to bolster its military presence around the world, especially in regions near countries it deems a "threat" to its global position, come amid a growing sentiment between international countries to end Washington's hegemony over the world order.
Earlier this week, US bombers landed in Sweden for the first time in "modern history" for joint military exercises as the Nordic country continues to place high bets on being admitted into the NATO coalition.
Two American B-1B Lancers arrived at Lulea-Kallax airport in Sweden on Monday, the Swedish military said, noting that "in these uncertain times and while waiting for NATO membership it is important to have strong partners."
