U.S. B-1B Bombers Conduct Rare Caribbean Flights Near Venezuela

The U.S. Air Force flew two B-1B Lancer bombers near Venezuelan airspace Thursday, according to open source reports. The aircraft, call signed “BAT-21” and “BAT-22,” departed from Florida with three KC-135 Stratotankers.
According to the reports, the flight path suggests a potential approach toward Venezuelan airspace. Analysts say this is an unusual Caribbean deployment for B-1Bs, far from their typical zones in Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific. The development comes after President Donald Trump threatened a strike on Venezuelan soil.
On Thursday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has repeatedly denounced U.S. military activity in the Caribbean, said “more than 5,000” Russian-made Igla-S missiles are ready to defend the country. (Read More)