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The B-52 bombers that flew off the coast of Venezuela on Oct. 15 were accompanied by Marine Corps F-35s as part of a so-called “Bomber Attack Demonstration,” according to new images and information from the Pentagon.
The Stratofortresses flew from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., into U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility, Air Forces Southern announced on social media. There, they flew with F-35B fighters from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, according to images released by the 2nd Bomb Wing. The Marine Corps jets have been based out of Puerto Rico since September.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, flies alongside a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Attack Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s ability to quickly mobilize and enable rapid establishment of credible, combat-ready forces with effective and overwhelming force. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
Two U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, integrate with a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Oct. 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers conducted training operations, showcasing the U.S Air Force’s global reach and strategic strike capability against transnational threats. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, flies in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Oct. 15, 2025. Bomber Attack Demonstrations contributed to the collective defense of the Western Hemisphere and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the safety and security of the region. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, integrates with a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Oct. 15, 2025. B-52s are world-wide deployable and deter foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations, which threaten the safety, security and stability of the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 flies alongside a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Oct. 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers conducted training operations, showcasing the U.S Air Force’s global reach and strategic strike capability against transnational threats. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, flies alongside a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Attack Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s ability to quickly mobilize and enable rapid establishment of credible, combat-ready forces with effective and overwhelming force. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
Air Forces Southern also said tankers from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., provided refueling support for the flight.
Aviation enthusiasts first noted the B-52 flight through open-source flight tracking data, and U.S. officials confirmed it to Air & Space Forces Magazine. While the Pentagon did not disclose any details on the flight path, tracking data showed the bombers off the coast of Venezuela.
In captions accompanying the new photos, the 2nd Bomb Wing stated that “Bomber Attack Demonstrations contribute to the collective defense of the Western Hemisphere and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the safety and security of the region.”
Of note, the photos show the F-35s armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder weapons, but the B-52s appear to not have any weapons mounted externally.
The bomber attack demo—the first time the Air Force has used that term—marks the latest show of force by the U.S. in the region amid escalating tensions.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Lara Vasquez and Airman 1st Class Justin Botello, 20th Bomber Generation Squadron crew chiefs conduct preflight maintenance at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. Bomber Attack Demonstrations contributed to the collective defense of the Western Hemisphere and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the safety and security of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Preston Gifford, 20th Bomber Generation Squadron crew chief, assists Airman Isaiah Bohot, 20th BGS crew chief, in preflight checks of a B-52H Stratofortress bomber at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, October 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers conducted training operations, showcasing the U.S Air Force’s global reach and strategic strike capability against transnational threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)
U.S. Air Force Airman Isaiah Bohot, 20th Bomber Generation Squadron crew chief, conducts preflight checks of a B-52H Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, October 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers conducted training operations, showcasing the U.S Air Force’s global reach and strategic strike capability against transnational threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cameron Jones, 20th Bomber Generation Squadron crew chief, Airman Isaiah Bohot, 20th BGS crew chief, and Senior Airman Preston Gifford, 20th BGS crew chief, perform preflight checks on a B-52H Stratofortress bomber at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers conducted training operations, showcasing the U.S Air Force’s global reach and strategic strike capability against transnational threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, taxis at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. U.S. B-52H long-range strategic bombers conducted training operations, showcasing the U.S Air Force’s global reach and strategic strike capability against transnational threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor) 
U.S. Air Force Maj. Adam Carr, 96th Bomb Squadron director of operations, and Capt. Levi Hilgenhold, 96th BS B-52H Stratofortress pilot, attend a Bomber Attack Demonstration mission brief at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. The BAD showcased Southern Command’s ability to quickly mobilize and enable rapid establishment of credible, combat-ready forces with effective and overwhelming force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Force Capt. Alam Marcelino, 96th Bomb Squadron B-52 Stratofortress bomber pilot, attends a Bomber Attack Demonstration mission brief at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. BAD contributed to the collective defense of the Western Hemisphere and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the safety and security of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircrew from the 96th Bomb Squadron board a bus at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Attack Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s ability to quickly mobilize and enable rapid establishment of credible, combat-ready forces with effective and overwhelming force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircrew from the 96th Bomb Squadron step off a bus at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Attack Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s ability to quickly mobilize and enable rapid establishment of credible, combat-ready forces with effective and overwhelming force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Force Capt. Levi Hilgenhold, 96th Bomb Squadron B-52 Stratofortress pilot, reviews a preflight checklist at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. The Bomber Attack Demonstration showcased Southern Command’s ability to quickly mobilize and enable rapid establishment of credible, combat-ready forces with effective and overwhelming force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber pilots from the 96th Bomb Squadron, step to their aircraft at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 15, 2025. Bomber Attack Demonstrations contributed to the collective defense of the Western Hemisphere and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the safety and security of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)
President Donald Trump has authorized a series of airstrikes on what his administration says are boats smuggling drugs in international waters, and the U.S. government has charged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with being involved in a conspiracy to smuggle cocaine and guns into the U.S.
The Trump administration is offering $50 million for information that leads to his arrest, and Trump recently acknowledged that the CIA is conducting covert operations in Venezuela and the White House is considering attacks on Venezuelan territory.
As part of the military’s recent moves to combat drug trafficking out of South America, the U.S. military deployed the F-35Bs and at least six different Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones to Puerto Rico. There are also AV-8 Harrier fighter jets embarked on the USS Iwo Jima, which has been operating in the region.
Images posted on social media on Oct. 14 show at least one Air Force AC-130J flying over Puerto Rico armed with eight Hellfire missiles.
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