Russian plane performs observation flight over U.S. strategic bases
WASHINGTON. May 17 (Interfax) - Russia's Tupolev Tu-154M LK-1 plane has performed an observation flight over strategic military bases and sites in the United States in line with the Open Skies Treaty, an informed source told Interfax.
The plane departed from the Open Skies airfield Rosecrans in the vicinity of St. Joseph, Missouri, and flew over Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri. The flight lasted seven and a half hours.
The plane flew over the Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, which accommodates all B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers of the United States, and the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), as well as over the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, where B-2 Spirit strategic stealth bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons and B-1B Lancer long-range bombers are stationed.