Sleepy Joe Preparing To Drop Nukes On Israel and Russia

Reviving the Nuclear Triad: US Tests AGM-86B Missiles as Tensions Escalate. In the face of heightened tensions with Russia and China, the United States Air Force (USAF) conducted a vital exercise earlier this week, codenamed Prairie Vigilance 24-3. The exercise aimed to validate the safety, security, and reliability of the nation's nuclear triad, with a specific focus on the bomber leg. Crews from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base (AFB) in North Dakota and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana participated in the exercise, which involved loading and simulating the launch of the AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) on B-52H Stratofortress bombers. The AGM-86B, a relic of the Cold War era, was designed to saturate and overwhelm Soviet air defenses, acting as a decoy or presenting targeting dilemmas. Its ability to strike missile and radar sites with blast fragmentation warheads made it a formidable weapon in its time. Subsequent upgrades enhanced the missile's range, allowing B-52s to fire it from well outside enemy airspace and the reach of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). The USAF describes the AGM-86B and its variants, such as the AGM-86C/D, as dual conventional and nuclear-capable ALCMs "developed to increase the effectiveness of B-52H bombers." According to the USAF, "In combination, they dilute an enemy's forces and complicate defense of its territory." The AGM-86B carries a "nuclear payload" and can "fly complicated routes to a target through the use of a terrain contour-matching guidance system," while the AGM-86C and AGM-86D carry conventional blast/fragmentation and penetrating warheads, respectively, employing GPS-aided inertial navigation systems. In recent years, the US military has been developing the AGM-181 Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO) as a replacement for the AGM-86. This new weapon will be fired from the B-52H and the upcoming B-21 Raider, serving as a tactical nuclear weapon (TNW). During the exercise, publicity videos captured the loading process, showcasing eight pylons carrying six missiles each (a total of 48) being transported from the weapons storage area to the B-52s parked on the tarmac. The missiles were placed in two groups of three, one behind the other, on pylons located in the inner wing section near the wing root. According to Colonel Daniel Hoadley, 5th Bomb Wing commander, "Prairie Vigilance demonstrated our commitment to safe, secure, effective nuclear operations. Further, this exercise is tangible proof that the Warbirds stand ready to deter strategic attack and, if necessary, respond at a moment's notice." The US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) relies on exercises like Prairie Vigilance to ensure nuclear strike forces are "organized, trained, and equipped for the tasks they are asked to do on a daily basis as well as respond to emerging crises." Nuclear weapons on air force bombers like the B-52H, B-2 Spirit, and other nuclear free-fall bombs based in European bases that can be dropped from jets like the F-16, F-15, F-35, and USN submarines comprise 70 percent of the US's deployed nuclear force, making it survivable in the event an adversary aims to wipe out its ground-based nuclear launch silos. Recent Developments: In the last two days, there have been several notable developments surrounding the US nuclear posture and tensions with adversaries: Russia has warned of "unpredictable consequences" if Finland joins NATO, escalating rhetoric amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This statement has heightened concerns about potential nuclear escalation and the role of the US nuclear triad in deterrence.The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced plans to conduct additional nuclear readiness exercises in the coming months, citing the need to maintain a credible deterrent in the face of global threats. These exercises will likely involve other components of the nuclear triad, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).China has criticized the recent US nuclear exercises, accusing Washington of "Cold War mentality" and fueling an arms race. Beijing has called for restraint and renewed efforts towards nuclear disarmament. Experts have raised concerns about the aging nature of the AGM-86B missiles and the need for their replacement with more modern and capable systems like the LRSO. The need for modernization has become more pressing as tensions with near-peer adversaries continue to escalate.As the global security landscape becomes increasingly complex, the role of the US nuclear triad remains a vital component of national defense strategy. Exercises like Prairie Vigilance serve as a stark reminder of the continued importance of maintaining a credible and effective nuclear deterrent, while also underscoring the delicate balance between preparedness and the pursuit of arms control and nuclear non-proliferation.