U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs armed with live AIM-9X air-to-air missiles, escorted the B-52s during a bomber attack demonstration mission earlier this week.
U.S. Air Forces Southern has just released a new set of photographs showing U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II jets escorting a pair of B-52H Stratofortress bombers during a long-range mission off the coast of Venezuela on Oct. 15, 2025.
“U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress long-range strategic bombers from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., conducted a bomber attack demonstration mission Oct. 15, 2025, in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility demonstrating the U.S. commitment to proactively deter adversary threats to the U.S. homeland and the region, enhance crew training, and ensure the global force readiness necessary to respond to any contingency or challenge,” says AFSOUTH in a post on Facebook.
According to publicly available flight tracking data, three B-52s from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, flying as BUNNY 01, BUNNY 02 and BUNNY 03, operated for hours within the Maiquetía Flight Information Region, off Venezuela’s northern coastline, before returning north.
3 B-52’s spotted flying between Mexico and Cuba. pic.twitter.com/pb5rpNjn7g
— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) October 15, 2025
BUNNY 01 flight (x 3 B-52s) wkg Merida Center entering the Caribbean Sea this morning after departing Barksdale AFB 🧐
Audio via @liveatc and tracking via @flightradar24 pic.twitter.com/bqKbG4hnAj
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) October 15, 2025
BIG: Two US B-52H bombers (BUNNY01 & BUNNY02) flew within ~100–240 miles of Caracas today, circling over the southern Caribbean for several hours before returning to the US.
The flight stayed in international airspace but sparked alarm in Venezuela.
Venezuelan military… pic.twitter.com/V0Mk8wglna
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 15, 2025
The images confirm that at least two bombers were escorted by Marine F-35Bs operating from the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, where 5th generation aircraft have been forward-deployed since Sept. 13, 2025.
Interestingly, the F-35Bs depicted in the photographs were flying with AIM-9X missiles on the external underwing pylons. Reports from local observers suggest that at least one Venezuelan Air Force F-16 took off from El Libertador Air Base, west of Caracas, while the B-52s were orbiting offshore. However, there is no confirmation of any attempted interception.
‼️🇺🇸🇻🇪In response to B-52s flying close to La Orchila, Venezuelan F-16s have reportedly scrambled from El Libertador Air Base in Aragua.
But can they really stand their ground against American air power? pic.twitter.com/GKQc4Wh8Mk
— Defense Intelligence (@DI313_) October 15, 2025
Another interesting detail visible in the newly released photos is that the F-35Bs escorting the bombers were not carrying any visible radar cross section (RCS) enhancers or “luneberg lenses” normally fitted during peacetime missions: these radar reflectors are used to make the LO (Low Observable) aircraft (consciously) visible to radars. They are installed on the aircraft on the ground are used whenever the aircraft don’t need to evade the radars: during ferry flights when the aircraft use also the transponder in a cooperative way with the ATC (Air Traffic Control) agencies; during training or operative missions that do not require stealthiness; or, more importantly, when the aircraft operate close to the enemy whose ground or flying radars, intelligence gathering sensors.
The presence of externally mounted weapons naturally raises questions about how much the F-35’s low observability is affected. In this configuration, the aircraft’s radar signature is certainly slightly increased, since the AIM-9X and its launcher create reflective surfaces. However, the degradation is believed to be moderate, especially when compared to carrying larger external stores or multiple pylons.
The trade-off is likely operationally acceptable, particularly for missions conducted in relatively low-threat environments like the Caribbean. In this case, the external Sidewinders give the F-35Bs an immediate self-defense capability against potential airborne threats, while maintaining most of their front-aspect stealth characteristics: in other words, although the B-52 was a show of force (with transponder on for everyone to see), the escort was conducted under conditions that required authentic low-observable performance.
U.S. bombers, including B-52s and B-1s, have supported counter-narcotics surveillance in the Caribbean for decades, often leveraging their range and sensor capabilities to identify and track suspicious vessels. However, flying openly off Venezuela, albeit over international waters, appears intended to signal increased readiness. The B-52, capable of carrying standoff weapons such as the AGM-158 JASSM cruise missile, remains a potent symbol of U.S. long-range power projection.
Moreover, latest sortie also coincides with a larger U.S. buildup across the region. Along with the Marine F-35Bs, AC-130J Ghostriders, and MQ-9 Reapers have been operating from Puerto Rico alongside Navy surface vessels and submarines, including the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group, several Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, and the Ocean Trader special operations support ship.
Altogether, U.S. Southern Command has an estimated 10,000 personnel now forward-deployed in the Caribbean. Earlier this month, SOUTHCOM activated a new task force led by elements of II Marine Expeditionary Force to coordinate expanded counter-narcotics and maritime security operations across the Western Hemisphere.
Whether the bomber escort imagery was intended purely for transparency or as a deliberate reminder of U.S. deterrence capability is open to interpretation; what is clear is that the release marks one of the most visible demonstrations of American airpower in the Caribbean in recent years.
