The U.S. Department of Defense states that it has received permission from Britain to deploy the so-called stealth B-2 bombers on the British island of Diego Garcia located in the Indian Ocean. However, U.S. officials emphasize that the deployment of these aircraft on the island is not related to a potential war against Iraq. A senior Pentagon spokesperson says that Britain and the U.S. first discussed the transfer of these aircraft to the Indian Ocean two years ago. According to relevant officials, Britain agreed two or three months ago to begin the construction of permanent hangars for these complex aircraft with bat-like wings. It is still unclear how many of these expensive aircraft will be stationed on Diego Garcia, as the U.S. Air Force only has 21 of these bombers. This is the first time that B-2 stealth bombers will be deployed outside of the United States.
Deployment of American Bombers on British-Owned Island - 2002-09-18
The U.S. has received permission from Britain to deploy B-2 stealth bombers on Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean. U.S. officials assert this deployment is unrelated to a potential conflict with Iraq. This marks the first deployment of these bombers outside the U.S.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The U.S. has received permission from Britain to deploy B-2 stealth bombers on Diego Garcia, marking the first time these aircraft are stationed outside the U.S. Officials assert this deployment is not related to a potential conflict with Iraq.
- The B-2 bombers are known for their stealth capabilities and advanced technology.
- Construction of permanent hangars for these aircraft has been agreed upon by Britain.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The B-2 bomber is a key component of U.S. military air power, capable of penetrating sophisticated enemy defenses. Diego Garcia has been a pivotal base for U.S. operations since the late 20th century.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%