Key Takeaways
- Three US B-52H Stratofortress bombers flew near Venezuelan airspace in a show of force
- The aircraft departed from Louisiana’s Barksdale Air Force Base at 2:50am ET
- Mission comes amid escalating US pressure on Venezuela’s government
Three US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers were spotted conducting a secret mission near Venezuelan airspace, flying over the Caribbean Sea in what analysts describe as a bold military power display. The nuclear-capable aircraft approached Venezuela after passing between Mexico and Cuba, circling the region for an undisclosed purpose.
Flight tracking data revealed all three bombers took off from Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana, beginning their mission at 2:50am ET. The aircraft were tracked flying through the Gulf of America before heading toward Venezuela.
Mission Details and Identification
Flight tracking service Flightradar24, along with multiple open-source intelligence (OSINT) social media posts, identified the bomber trio operating under the BUNNY01/02/03 mission set. The specific aircraft involved carried tail numbers 61-0010, 60-0052, and 60-0033. The bombers were reportedly flying from the US mainland toward the Caribbean at medium altitude.
Geopolitical Context
The mysterious flight occurs as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Venezuela’s government. Recent US actions include placing a $50 million bounty on President Nicolás Maduro, conducting strikes on drug-running vessels leaving the country, and building up military assets in the region.
Venezuelan officials had previously warned that the US military might be preparing for a full-scale invasion. American authorities have not clarified the bombers’ specific mission, leaving the purpose of Wednesday’s deployment uncertain.
B-52 Capabilities
The B-52H Stratofortress remains one of America’s most formidable strategic bombers. Capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet, the aircraft was originally built during the Cold War as a long-range bomber able to deliver massive payloads anywhere in the world.
This remains a developing situation with more updates expected.
