MANILA — The United States has sent a nuclear-capable bomber for its first joint patrol with the Philippine military over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), prompting China’s military to send its forces there to monitor that activity.
Three FA-50 light fighters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Monday flew in tandem with a B-52H Stratofortress long-range strategic bomber deployed by the US Pacific Air Forces. The joint flyovers covered 90 nautical miles (166.7 kilometers) west of Candon, Ilocos Sur, and 50 NM (92.6 km) northwest of Lubang, Mindoro, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the PAF said in a statement.
The B-52s—touted as a long-standing symbol of US military power—have been conducting bomber patrols over the East and South China Seas for decades to demonstrate readiness and commitment to its allies. The B-52s first flew in 1952—which makes it the world’s longest-serving combat aircraft—and has since gone through numerous upgrades and design changes.
The Boeing Company-designed bomber is capable of flying in high subsonic speeds at an altitude of 50,000 feet and has a range covering around 14,000 km.
‘Stirring up trouble’
Monday’s activity was the second phase of the country’s third Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) with the United States. The first MCA was held in November last year, followed by a second MCA in January.
Early this month, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar and the US…
