Washington (CNN) A US B-52 bomber flew near contested islands in the South China Sea on Monday, according to US Pacific Air Forces, which oversees air operations in the region.

"Two B-52H Stratofortress bombers took off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and participated in routine training missions, March 4, 2019," according to a statement from US Pacific Air Forces.

"One bomber conducted training in the vicinity of the South China Sea before returning to Guam, while the other conducted training in the vicinity of Japan in coordination with the US Navy and alongside our Japanese air force counterparts before returning to Guam," the statement said.

Both flight operations were part of US Pacific Command's long-standing "Continuous Bomber Presence" missions, which the military says are intended to maintain the readiness of US forces. Monday's flights were were conducted in accordance with international law, according to the Air Force.

But while the US routinely sends bombers in the vicinity of the South China Sea, Monday's flight was the first involving a nuclear-capable B-52 since November.

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