Today, the US Secretary of Defense ordered the deployment of a number of B-52 strategic bombers in the Middle East, along with a squadron of fighters whose type has not yet been determined, a number of air refueling planes, and a number of “Arleigh Burke” destroyers to provide an air defense umbrella.
Sources indicate that the United States will send 12 B-52 strategic bombers in the coming days, if not in the coming hours. These bombers are capable of carrying about 31.5 tons of weapons payload, including bombs and air-launched mobile and ballistic missiles, whether equipped with conventional or unconventional warheads. These bombers can also fly up to a distance of 14,000 km without the need to refuel.
Certainly, the American B-52 strategic bombers will be stationed at Al Udeid Qatari base, as this is considered the main base equipped to receive a large number of aircraft of this type in the Middle East.
During the past years, American strategic bombers were stationed almost permanently at Al Udeid Qatari base to support American military operations, starting in Iraq, then Afghanistan, and Libya, as well as the operations of the international coalition against the terrorist organization ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
The American steps coincide with the withdrawal of the aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln" after the end of its deployment in the Middle East, which requires strengthening the presence of additional military assets to compensate for this absence. With the aim of continuing to achieve strategic deterrence and providing defense and protection to the allies of the United States, led by Israel.
These moves also come at a time when Iran is expected to launch a new retaliatory attack on Israel, in response to the Israeli strikes that targeted vital Iranian sites last week, most of which are related to the Iranian missile project.
