USAF B-1 bomber conducts presence patrol in Middle East

USAF B1 patrol Middle East
Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles break away from a formation with a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer over the Red Sea as part of a presence patrol above the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.

One U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew flew a presence patrol mission in the Central Region that included several partner nation air forces today (Oct, 30, 2021).

The bomber task force mission – the fifth in U.S. Central Command’s area of operation this year – was intended to deliver a clear message of reassurance, said the command’s top general.

“We are stronger together,” said Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander, U.S. Central Command. “Military readiness for any contingency or mission – from crisis response to multilateral exercises to one-day presence patrols like this – depend on reliable partnerships.”

Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined the patrol with fighter escorts over their respective airspaces. The five-hour, non-stop patrol originated in the Indian Ocean, flew over the Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman before departing the region.

McKenzie said these types of missions can achieve a range of effects and are an important part of the command’s force posture.

CENTCOM has coordinated four similar patrols – three in January and one in March – since the beginning of the year.

USAF B1 patrol Middle East

USAF B1 patrol Middle East

USAF B1 patrol Middle East

USAF B1 patrol Middle East

USAF B1 patrol Middle East

USAF B1 patrol Middle East

Source: USCENTCOM
Images: USAF/Senior Airman Jerreht Harris

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