Two U.S. B-1 Lancer strategic bombers joined trilateral aerial drills with South Korea and Japan near the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday, in a show of force after North Korea launched “several” short-range missiles the day before.

“These drills were conducted to enhance the trilateral deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile threats, including its recent claims of hypersonic missile launches,” South Korea’s defense ministry said in a press release, referring to the DPRK’s test of an improved hypersonic missile the week before.

“The three countries will continue to strengthen cooperation to deter and jointly respond