Submitted Photo B-52 bombers are shown returning to Minot Air Force Base from RAF Fairford, England, in September. On Wednesday, two B-52s from the Minot base deployed to the Middle East. Photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Jan Valle.

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – B-52 aircrews from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing made a deliberate appearance in the Middle East on Wednesday, according to U.S. Central Command information.

The command information went on to say the two-ship deployment was “to underscore the U.S. military’s commitment to regional security and demonstrate a unique ability to rapidly deploy overwhelming combat power on short notice.”

The mission is the third bomber deployment into U.S. Central Command’s area of operation in the last 45 days.

“The United States continues to deploy combat-ready capabilities into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to deter any potential adversary, and make clear that we are ready and able to respond to any aggresion directed at Americans or our interests,” said Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command. “We do not seek conflict, but no one should underestimate our ability to defend our forces or to act decisively in response to any attack.”

U.S. Central Command headquarters are located at MacDill AFB near Tampa, Florida. The command’s area of responsibility includes Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Turkmenistan, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.