U.S. Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH) has released a series of high-resolution images confirming a major strategic bomber mission conducted yesterday along the northern coast of South America. The photos showcase a pair of B-52H “Stratofortress” long-range bombers assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron—the famed “Bomber Barons”—of the 5th Bomb Wing, operating out of Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
The mission, designated as a key component of “Operation Southern Spear,” saw the nuclear-capable heavy bombers tracing a flight path near the airspaces of Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. This rare deployment of strategic assets to the region serves as a potent reminder of U.S. global strike reach amidst heightened tensions with the Maduro regime.
In the released imagery, the B-52s are seen engaging in mid-air refueling operations with KC-135 “Stratotankers” launched from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, extending their loiter time over the Caribbean. Most notably, the bombers were escorted by a formation of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. These fighters are deployed aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the world’s largest aircraft carrier, which is currently patrolling the region as the flagship of the U.S. naval task force.
“The presence of the 23rd Bomb Squadron in the Southern Command area of responsibility demonstrates our ability to rapidly project decisive airpower to any corner of the globe,” an AFSOUTH spokesperson stated. “Integration with the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group further validates our joint force interoperability in complex maritime environments.”
The flight profile near Guyana and Suriname is also significant, signaling U.S. support for these nations as border disputes in the region continue to simmer. However, the primary strategic signal is undoubtedly directed at Caracas. By flying heavy bombers capable of carrying vast payloads of precision munitions just off the Venezuelan coast, Washington is underscoring the “military option” that officials have refused to rule out in recent weeks.
The “Bomber Barons,” one of the oldest and most decorated squadrons in the U.S. Air Force, have a history of spearheading such deterrence missions. Their deployment to the Caribbean theater marks a significant escalation in the scope of Operation Southern Spear, moving from naval interdiction to the overt display of strategic air supremacy.
