Six B-52Hs deploy to AI Udeid

摘要

SIX US Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses have been deployed to Al Udeid in Qatar, to protect US and Coalition forces conducting drawdown operations from Afghanistan. The aircraft are all from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The first two landed on the evening of April 23. They were followed by two more on April 26 and an additiona pair on May 4.The deployment went ahead following approval from Defense Secretary Lloyd J Austin Ⅲ, who also gave the go-ahead for the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69), and its battle group,to extend its stay in the region, within range of Afghanistan, in case air strikes become necessary.