US To Put Nuclear Bombers On 24 Hour Alert: First Time In 26 Years!

[RAnDOOm]

The United States Air Force is preparing to put nuclear-armed bombers on 24-hour alert for the first time since the Cold War ended 26 years ago.

The departments' chief of staff General David Goldfein confirmed the plan in an interview with Defense One, as concerns grow that North Korea's nuclear warpath could cause another world war.

The move would see nuclear-armed B-52s parked on concrete pads the end of an 11,000-foot runway at Barksdale Air Force in Louisiana, according to Daily Mail.

In a few months the pads, which are dubbed the 'Christmas Tree' because of their angular markings, will be piled high with weapons ready to take off with just a moments notice for the first time since 1991.

This comes after Donald Trump met with top military chiefs on October 6, and made a comment about "calm before the storm."

Speaking to Defense One, General Goldfein emphasized that orders haven't been given yet, but that they are preparing the bases in the event that it should happen.

"This yet one more step in ensuring that we're prepared," General Goldfein explained.

"I look at it more as not planning for any specific event, but more for the reality of the global situation we find ourselves in and how we ensure we're prepared going forward."

Were things to escalate, the decision to fire would be made by General John Hyten, commander of Strategic Command, or General Lori Robinson, head of Northern Command.

Readying the B-52s is just one of many decisions facing the Air Force as North Korea continues to advance its nuclear arsenal.

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