US sends B-52 bombers and F-22 fighters for joint drills with South Korea

The U.S. Air Force flew B-52 strategic bombers and F-22 fighter jets to South Korea for joint drills with F-35 and F-15K fighters on Tuesday (December 20), in their latest display of force against North Korea.

The participation of the F-22 Raptor fifth generation stealth fighters, currently based in Japan's Okinawa, was their first since May 2018 when the allies staged joint exercises in South Korea.

The joint drills came hours after North Korea released statements condemning a Japanese military buildup outlined in a new security strategy, calling it dangerous and vowing counteractions, while also warning of another imminent test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

North Korea fired two medium-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Sunday (December 18), calling it an "important" test for the development of a reconnaissance satellite that it hopes to complete by April.