Rome, 12 May (LaPresse) – A US Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bomber has carried out an operational flight to the Middle East. This was announced by US Central Command (Centcom), according to a report today by the Russian news agency Interfax. Centcom explained that the training mission took place on 9 May, without however specifying from which base the aircraft took off. According to the Military Air Tracking Alliance (MATA), the US B-1B Lancer and B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers deployed at RAF Fairford in the UK are carrying out training missions to the Middle East almost every day. The operations reportedly last an average of between nine and ten hours. There are currently 23 US heavy bombers at the British base: 15 B-1B Lancers and eight B-52H Stratofortresses. Each aircraft can be equipped with 24 JDAM guided bombs weighing approximately 900 kilograms, with an operational range of up to 20 kilometres, or with 12 JASSM cruise missiles, capable of striking targets at a distance of approximately 300 kilometres. According to reports, these weapons were reportedly used in US military operations against targets considered strategic in Iran, in particular fortified sites intended for the deployment, storage and production of ballistic missiles.