{"id":13486,"date":"2019-05-13T16:40:38","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T16:40:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/05\/13\/b-52-bombers-f-15-fighters-fly-first-deterrence-sorties-pointed-at-iran\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:20:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:20:02","slug":"b-52-bombers-f-15-fighters-fly-first-deterrence-sorties-pointed-at-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2019\/05\/13\/b-52-bombers-f-15-fighters-fly-first-deterrence-sorties-pointed-at-iran\/","title":{"rendered":"B-52 bombers, F-15 fighters fly first deterrence sorties pointed at Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Air Force began flying deterrence missions in the Middle East<\/a> Saturday, aimed at what the Pentagon has called threats from Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B-52H Stratofortress bombers <\/a>from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, touched down at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Thursday, according to Air Force Central Command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Force F-15C Eagles <\/a>also flew deterrence missions on Saturday and were refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker<\/a> from the 28th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron at an undisclosed location. The 28th EARS maintains a presence across AFCENT\u2019s area of responsibility, including in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The F-15Cs deployed to an undisclosed location in the Middle East on Wednesday. F-35A Lightning IIs are also in theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will not discuss mission specifics,” said Air Force Maj. Holly Brauer, an AFCENT spokesperson. “They have begun flying deterrence missions in the region, including over the Arabian Gulf.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials have not provided a timeline for the B-52 task force\u2019s deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An Airman piloting an F-15C Eagle receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 28th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron, May 12, 2019, at an undisclosed location. The 28th EARS maintains constant presence in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, supporting U.S. and Coalition aircraft in various operations conducted in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keifer Bowes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The deployment of the bombers, as well as a Patriot missile battery, aircraft carrier strike group and amphibious transport dock, come after the Pentagon said it received “clear indications\u201d of threats from Iran to U.S. forces in the Middle East through Iranian military and proxy forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defense officials have so far declined to comment on the record regarding the exact nature of the Iranian threat allegedly posed against U.S. forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important that Iran understand that an attack on Americans or our interests would be met with an appropriate response,” Shanahan told reporters Friday. “We are in the Middle East to defeat terrorism, fight for security, the clandestine insurgencies are really what we are there to address but we will protect ourselves and that\u2019s very important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t