U.S. deploys 3 B-2 bombers to Guam amid tensions with North Korea

The United States deployed three B-2 stealth bombers to Guam on Tuesday, the Strategic Command said, as tensions are running high on the Korean Peninsula in the wake of North Korea's latest missile launches.

The nuclear-capable bombers, which were deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, will conduct local and regional training sorties and integrate capabilities with key regional partners, ensuring bomber crews maintain a high state of readiness and crew proficiency, the command said in a statement.

"Our strategic bomber force routinely operates around the globe and with our regional allies and partners, and this deployment is one such demonstration of the U.S. commitment to supporting global and regional security," said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of the Strategic Command.

"Bomber training missions ensure crews maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency and demonstrate our ability to provide an always-ready global strike capability, whenever and wherever we are called to do so," the commander said.

Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, said that bomber aircraft provide an effective deterrent capability and ensure the regional security and stability of the U.S. and our allies and partners.

"These bomber deployments visibly demonstrate our readiness and commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," he said.

The deployment came days after North Korea fired two Rodong intermediate-range ballistic missiles. One of the missiles exploded right after launch, but the other flew some 1,000 kilometers and fell in waters off Japan in the country's exclusive economic zone. (Yonhap)