The United States is continuing military exercises that have seen a large number of warplanes lifted into the air over the continental part of the country. The maneuvers of the Strategic Forces started on 11 April.
About 11 B-52H bombers, about 11 air tankers, 4 E-6B control and communications aircraft, as well as the E-4B national air command center are involved in the active part of the exercises.
During the maneuvers, in particular, the withdrawal of forces from the attacks of a potential enemy, as well as the dispersal of aircraft over alternate airfields, are practiced.
According to the US Strategic Nuclear Forces Command (STRATCOM), the exercise will increase nuclear readiness and test the status of the strategic deterrence forces. In addition to US aviation, combat aircraft of the country's key NATO allies are involved in the exercises.
Washington does not announce the timing of the exercises. Similar maneuvers that took place in Europe in 2019 lasted about two weeks. At the Global Thunder 2021 exercises, the forces of the Western bloc practiced nuclear strikes on Russian territory, Sergei Shoigu reported.
Apparently, the United States and its partners in the North Atlantic Alliance are trying in this way to demonstrate the power of their nuclear forces to their main geopolitical competitors - Russia and China.