Submitted Photo A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base departs after receiving fuel from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during a Bomber Task Force mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Sunday, Jan. 17. Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aaron Larue Guerrisky.

U.S. Air Force B-52H “Stratofortress” aircrews successfully completed a presence patrol in the Middle East on Sunday, Jan. 17, marking the second such mission of 2021, according to U.S. Central Command.

The aircrews were from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base.

This is the fifth Bomber Task Force mission into the Middle East in the last few months.

Bomber Task Force missions are observable ways to demonstrate the U.S. military’s continuing commitment to regional security, said U.S. Central Command’s commander.

“‘Short-term deployments of strategic assets are an important part of our defensive posture in the region,” said Gen. Frank McKenzie. “The training opportunity and continued integration with regional partners improves readiness and delivers a clear and consistent message in the operational environment to both friends and potential adversaries, alike.”