As we anticipated yesterday, today marks the final transfer of B-52H bombers from the USA to Qatar. The last pair of B-52Hs (registration 60-0012, 60-0007, call signs LONE31/32), took off from Minot AFB, North Dakota, and is currently en route to Al Udeid AB, Qatar. Both aircraft, part of the 5th Bomb Wing, are nuclear-capable.
The two bombers have just entered the Mediterranean and are heading east, accompanied by three KC-135 tankers that took off from Rota AB to refuel them. With this last pair, a total of six B-52s have arrived in Qatar over the past three days.
The increased U.S. presence in the Gulf is linked to the growing Iranian threat, with recent statements from Iran indicating they may strike Israel again.
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