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The B-52 bombers that flew off the coast of Venezuela on Oct. 15 have been accompanied by Marine Corps F-35s as a part of a so-called “Bomber Assault Demonstration,” in response to new photos and knowledge from the Pentagon.
The Stratofortresses flew from Barksdale Air Power Base, La., into U.S. Southern Command’s space of accountability, Air Forces Southern introduced on social media. There, they flew with F-35B fighters from Marine Fighter Assault Squadron 225, in response to photos launched by the 2nd Bomb Wing. The Marine Corps jets have been primarily based out of Puerto Rico since September.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II plane assigned to Marine Fighter Assault Squadron 225, flies alongside a U.S. Air Power B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, within the U.S. Southern Command space of accountability, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Assault Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s capacity to rapidly mobilize and allow fast institution of credible, combat-ready forces with efficient and overwhelming pressure. (U.S. Air Power courtesy photograph)
Two U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II plane assigned to the Marine Fighter Assault Squadron 225, combine with a U.S. Air Power B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, within the U.S. Southern Command space of accountability, Oct. 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers carried out coaching operations, showcasing the usAir Power’s international attain and strategic strike functionality towards transnational threats. (U.S. Air Power courtesy photograph)
A U.S. Air Power B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, flies within the U.S. Southern Command space of accountability, Oct. 15, 2025. Bomber Assault Demonstrations contributed to the collective protection of the Western Hemisphere and display the U.S. dedication to the protection and safety of the area. (U.S. Air Power courtesy photograph)
A U.S. Air Power B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, integrates with a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II plane assigned to the Marine Fighter Assault Squadron 225, within the U.S. Southern Command space of accountability, Oct. 15, 2025. B-52s are world-wide deployable and deter overseas terrorist and transnational felony organizations, which threaten the protection, safety and stability of the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Air Power courtesy photograph)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II plane assigned to the Marine Fighter Assault Squadron 225 flies alongside a U.S. Air Power B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, within the U.S. Southern Command space of accountability, Oct. 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers carried out coaching operations, showcasing the usAir Power’s international attain and strategic strike functionality towards transnational threats. (U.S. Air Power courtesy photograph)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II plane assigned to the Marine Fighter Assault Squadron 225, flies alongside a U.S. Air Power B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, within the U.S. Southern Command space of accountability, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Assault Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s capacity to rapidly mobilize and allow fast institution of credible, combat-ready forces with efficient and overwhelming pressure. (U.S. Air Power courtesy photograph)
Air Forces Southern additionally stated tankers from MacDill Air Power Base, Fla., supplied refueling help for the flight.
Aviation fanatics first famous the B-52 flight by way of open-source flight monitoring information, and U.S. officers confirmed it to Air & House Forces Journal. Whereas the Pentagon didn’t disclose any particulars on the flight path, monitoring information confirmed the bombers off the coast of Venezuela.
In captions accompanying the brand new photographs, the 2nd Bomb Wing said that “Bomber Assault Demonstrations contribute to the collective protection of the Western Hemisphere and display the U.S. dedication to the protection and safety of the area.”
Of word, the photographs present the F-35s armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder weapons, however the B-52s seem to not have any weapons mounted externally.
The bomber assault demo—the primary time the Air Power has used that time period—marks the most recent present of pressure by the U.S. within the area amid escalating tensions.
U.S. Air Power Workers Sgt. Christian Lara Vasquez and Airman 1st Class Justin Botello, twentieth Bomber Technology Squadron crew chiefs conduct preflight upkeep at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. Bomber Assault Demonstrations contributed to the collective protection of the Western Hemisphere and display the U.S. dedication to the protection and safety of the area. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Power Senior Airman Preston Gifford, twentieth Bomber Technology Squadron crew chief, assists Airman Isaiah Bohot, twentieth BGS crew chief, in preflight checks of a B-52H Stratofortress bomber at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, October 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers carried out coaching operations, showcasing the usAir Power’s international attain and strategic strike functionality towards transnational threats. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)
U.S. Air Power Airman Isaiah Bohot, twentieth Bomber Technology Squadron crew chief, conducts preflight checks of a B-52H Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, October 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers carried out coaching operations, showcasing the usAir Power’s international attain and strategic strike functionality towards transnational threats. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)
U.S. Air Power Workers Sgt. Cameron Jones, twentieth Bomber Technology Squadron crew chief, Airman Isaiah Bohot, twentieth BGS crew chief, and Senior Airman Preston Gifford, twentieth BGS crew chief, carry out preflight checks on a B-52H Stratofortress bomber at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers carried out coaching operations, showcasing the usAir Power’s international attain and strategic strike functionality towards transnational threats. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)
U.S. Air Power Maj. Adam Carr, 96th Bomb Squadron director of operations, and Capt. Levi Hilgenhold, 96th BS B-52H Stratofortress pilot, attend a Bomber Assault Demonstration mission transient at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. The BAD showcased Southern Command’s capacity to rapidly mobilize and allow fast institution of credible, combat-ready forces with efficient and overwhelming pressure. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Power Capt. Alam Marcelino, 96th Bomb Squadron B-52 Stratofortress bomber pilot, attends a Bomber Assault Demonstration mission transient at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. BAD contributed to the collective protection of the Western Hemisphere and display the U.S. dedication to the protection and safety of the area. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Power B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircrew from the 96th Bomb Squadron board a bus at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Assault Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s capacity to rapidly mobilize and allow fast institution of credible, combat-ready forces with efficient and overwhelming pressure. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Power B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircrew from the 96th Bomb Squadron step off a bus at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Assault Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s capacity to rapidly mobilize and allow fast institution of credible, combat-ready forces with efficient and overwhelming pressure. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Power Capt. Levi Hilgenhold, 96th Bomb Squadron B-52 Stratofortress pilot, critiques a preflight guidelines at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Assault Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s capacity to rapidly mobilize and allow fast institution of credible, combat-ready forces with efficient and overwhelming pressure. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Power B-52 Stratofortress bomber pilots from the 96th Bomb Squadron, step to their plane at Barksdale Air Power Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. Bomber Assault Demonstrations contributed to the collective protection of the Western Hemisphere and display the U.S. dedication to the protection and safety of the area. (U.S. Air Power photograph by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
President Donald Trump has licensed a sequence of airstrikes on what his administration says are boats smuggling medicine in worldwide waters, and the U.S. authorities has charged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with being concerned in a conspiracy to smuggle cocaine and weapons into the U.S.
The Trump administration is providing $50 million for data that results in his arrest, and Trump not too long ago acknowledged that the CIA is conducting covert operations in Venezuela and the White Home is contemplating assaults on Venezuelan territory.
As a part of the navy’s current strikes to fight drug trafficking out of South America, the U.S. navy deployed the F-35Bs and at the least six completely different Air Power MQ-9 Reaper drones to Puerto Rico. There are additionally AV-8 Harrier fighter jets launched into the usIwo Jima, which has been working within the area.
Photographs posted on social media on Oct. 14 present at the least one Air Power AC-130J flying over Puerto Rico armed with eight Hellfire missiles.
Audio of this text is dropped at you by the Air & House Forces Affiliation, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their households. Discover out extra at afa.org