The two B-52H Stratofortress bombers left Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and crossed the vicinity of the West Philippine Sea, according to a statement issued by the US Pacific Air Forces.
“This recent mission is consistent with international law and United States’ long-standing commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the statement added.
In September, USS Decatur had sailed within 22 kilometers of Johnson and Gaven reefs in the Spratly Islands as part of the United States’ FONOP program where Chinese warship came so close where the US destroyer force l to maneuver to avoid a collision.
The US has accused China of deploying anti-ship missiles, electronic jammers, and surface-to-air missiles to contested islands in the South China Sea.
The two B-52H Stratofortress bombers flight happened the day before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day visit to the Philippines.
