For the first time since the Gulf War ended, the U.S. Air Force has deployed B-52 long-ranger bombers to the Middle East, to conduct strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, officials said Saturday.

An unknown number of B-52s will be (employed), the U.S. Air Force Central Command said in a statement.

“The B-52s will provide the coalition continued precision and deliver desired airpower effects,” Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command and Combined Forces Air Component said, Fox News reported.

The announcement comes a day after Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. would “turn up the pressure further” against the Islamic State during a surprise visit to Baghdad Friday to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

U.S. deploys B-52 bombers to Middle East for the first time in 25 years - Washington Times