B-52s flew within 12 nautical miles of Chinese artificial islands

The Pentagon confirmed that two B-52 bombers from Guam flew near Chinese artificial islands in the South China Sea on Nov. 8 and 9.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Hicks

The bombers flew within 12 nautical miles of the islands during a pass, an official told The Hill.

However, Pentagon spokesman Navy Cmdr. Bill Urban said the bombers never venture “within 15 nautical miles of any feature.”

Urban described the mission as a “routine mission in international airspace in the vicinity of the Spratly Island of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.”

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