A group of three B-2 Spirit bombers have arrived at Diego Garcia this week. Pentagon officials emphasized that this is a national-defense strategy, and the bombers are “sharpening our lethality.”
Bombers from Diego Garcia tend to be used against Iraq and Iran, along with some sorties into Afghanistan and the South China Sea. In general, the deployments are seen to target Iran, though the tensions in the South China Sea may also play a factor.
Long-range sorties are often carried out as part of multi-national training operations, and in support of US carrier strike groups. Diego Garcia is a popular place for the US to station bombers because of its proximity to several areas.
Diego Garcia is subject to a territorial dispute from its native population, which was expelled by Britain before the island was leased to the US. Despite ongoing lawsuits, neither the US nor Britain has any intention of allowing the natives to return.
Its only a matter of time before Iran has ballistic missiles that can reach Diego Garcia as well.
China;s infamous DF-26 ‘carrier killer’ missiles can already reach that far.
Diego Garcia may as well be given back to the natives; its only useful after a successful first strike against the Eurasians. A successful first strike being more or less an impossibility.
Islands are referred to as unsinkable aircraft carriers, but its tough to launch aircraft from a fresh crater that’s also under water.
If anything serious breaks out, from a military point of view it would make sense to knock out the runways, keep the B-2s on the ground.
We have 800 military bases all locked and loaded surrounding all those commie countries. We don’t need Diego Garcia or Andy Garcia or any Garcia to thwart any threat by them.
All Empires thought that way.
Sgt Garcia was a good one – friend of Don Diego
Iran can spam more than 800 missiles…
And they might uncover the 7 that actually work. Most of theirs have a range of 40 yards. I thought Iran never attacks or invades a country first or ever have. They just send out proxies which is why they are renowned as the main sponsor of terrorism in that region. They are not fools though and would never attempt to engage us in a conflict.
Iranians wouldn’t attack first because, well they would lose. But its true, they’ve not fought a war of aggression in the modern era either.
The Soleimani salute missiles landed with some accuracy in Iraq, though there were apparent misses. They appear to have been given a freee shot and Iranian launch infrastructure was intact.
If the U.S. shoots first, there’s the off chance that Russia might tacitly aid them, so Iranian accuracy in war is still a bit of a question mark.
Iranians wouldn’t attack first because, well they would lose. But its true, they’ve not fought a war of aggression in the modern era either.
The Soleimani salute missiles landed with some accuracy in Iraq, though there were apparent misses. They appear to have been given a free shot
and Iranian launch infrastructure was intact.
If the U.S. shoots first, there’s the off chance that Russia might tacitly aid Iran, so Iranian efficacy in a real war is still a bit of a question mark.
Its unlikely that Iran would launch a first strike; however, in response cratering the runways would make it difficult for the bombers to land.
Long ranged bombers can be launched from the U.S. and refueled in the air all the way to Iran. Diego Garcia is possibly more valuable as a base for refueling tankers, and again, cratering the runways and possibly damaging fuel storage would be an inconvenience.
Its unlikely that Iran would launch a first strike; however, in response cratering the runways would make it difficult for the bombers to land.
Long ranged bombers can be launched from the U.S. and refueled in the air all the way to Iran. Diego Garcia is possibly more valuable as a base for refueling tankers, and again, cratering the runways and possibly damaging fuel storage would be an inconvenience.
More “ratcheting up the tensions”.
Israel, built on the “Diego Garcia” method.
“sharpening our lethality”. Yup, lethality, what the US prides itself on. Freedom, democracy, limited government, lethality.
Nice island target practice for Iran…!
national-defense strategy 20,000km from your nation…Yeah right.