US Flies B-52 Bombers Near Disputed Islands Claimed by China
The United States flew two B-52 bombers over the weekend near man-made islands constructed by China in the South China Sea, a U.S. official told The Hill, in a clear challenge to China’s territorial claims to the area.
The bombers made one pass within 12 nautical miles of the islands, the official said, in what the military refers to as a “freedom of navigation” operation.
During the operation, the Chinese military radioed the bombers, telling them to “get away from our islands.” The bombers did not comply, according to the U.S. official . . .
Pentagon spokesman Navy Cmdr. Bill Urban said two B-52s took off and returned to Guam on Nov. 8 and 9 respectively, flying a “routine mission in international airspace in the vicinity of the Spratly Island of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.”
Urban confirmed that the pilots received two verbal warnings from a Chinese ground controller “despite never venturing within 15 nautical miles of any feature,” he said. “Both aircraft continued their mission without incident, and at all times operated fully in accordance with international law.” (Read more from “US Flies B-52 Bombers Near Disputed Islands Claimed by China” HERE)
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