South Korea, Japan, and the United States held a joint air exercise on Sunday, deploying a heavy bomber in response to North Korea’s latest long-range missile test, according to Seoul’s military. This drill occurred just three days after North Korea launched one of its most advanced solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), which experts believe could reach targets on the mainland United States.

The military exercise involved the US B-1B bomber, alongside South Korea’s F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets and Japan’s F-2 jets. According to a press release from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, “The exercise demonstrates the commitment of the ROK-US alliance to integrated extended deterrence in response to the advancing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.”

During the aerial maneuvers, South Korean and Japanese jets escorted the US strategic bomber to a designated location south of the Korean peninsula. This display showcased an “overwhelming capability to swiftly and accurately strike simulated targets,” the military stated.

The B-1B Lancer, recognized for its supersonic speed and substantial payload of 75,000 pounds (34,000 kilograms) of munitions, has been deployed to the Korean peninsula four times this year alone, marking the second trilateral aerial exercise aimed at countering threats from Pyongyang.

North Korea’s latest ICBM test reportedly achieved greater altitude and distance than any previous missile launch, as confirmed by both North Korean authorities and military tracking from Seoul and Tokyo. The official Korean Central News Agency referred to this missile as “the world’s strongest strategic missile,” with leader Kim Jong-un expressing “great satisfaction” following the launch. The agency emphasized that North Korea “would never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces.”

This missile launch has heightened international concerns, particularly in light of reports suggesting that North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to Russia to assist in its war efforts in Ukraine. This raises apprehensions that North Korean soldiers, disguised in Russian uniforms, could soon become involved in direct combat situations.