In response to a request from the commander of US forces in South Korea, the US is sending two dozen heavy bombers (B-52s and B-1s) to Guam. These aircraft would provide additional support should North Korea attack. This move includes some 2,000 air force personnel. In addition, some 2,900 American troops scheduled to leave South Korea in the next three months, have been ordered to remain. This was done because replacements for these troops are increasingly not available because of demands of operations in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf.