B-1B Lancers bombers briefly joined the growing US contingent at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Airbase (PSAB) as part of the build-up of US airpower in the kingdom.
Two B-1B bombers are escorted over the Gulf by an F-22 Raptor and two EA-18G Growlers on their way to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. (US Air Forces Central Command)
US Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) released images showing the heavy bombers at PSAB on 24 October, three days after the arrival of F-22 Raptor fighters at the base was revealed.
The US Air Force (USAF) announced on 28 October that the bombers had returned to their base in South Dakota, saying the deployment “demonstrated the ability to rapidly deploy anywhere, anytime in the world, and provide lethal precision global strike options for combatant commanders”.
It was not stated how many B-1Bs were deployed but at least three could be seen in AFCENT photographs of the bombers refuelling en route to PSAB.
“B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force Base joined F-22 Raptors and EA-18 Growlers over the Arabian Gulf before touching down at Prince Sultan Air Base,” AFCENT said, seemingly confirming that US Navy electronic attack aircraft have also been deployed to the Saudi base. Defense Secretary Mark Esper was pictured talking to a pilot from Electronic Attack Squadron 134 (VAQ-143), an EA-18G unit, when he visited PSAB on 22 October.
Meanwhile, the USAF released photographs showing F-15E Strike Eagles from the 494th Fighter Squadron arriving at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates on 18 October.
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