North Korea is feared to be plotting a provocative missile launch or even another nuclear test tomorrow as the country marks the anniversary of its founding with a huge celebration.
Experts believe despot Kim Jong-un could be preparing to celebrate the national holiday in explosive style, setting alarm bells ringing in Seoul, Washington and Tokyo.
Now 600 Alaska-based troops have been flown to Japan to take part in drills and boost the number of US soldiers in the region in case the nuclear tension erupts into all-out war.
They will carry out Orient Shield military drills with Japanese troops, with Black Hawk helicopters also making the trip for the exercises.
Captain Adam Bowen, a spokesman for 1st Stryker Brigade, said the group were ready to deal with “anything” North Korea throws at them.
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He said: “We’re just focused on the mission at hand and making sure we are ready for anything.”
It comes amid fears North Korea is preparing a massive military demonstration or test sometime tomorrow.
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The ‘Day of the Foundation of the Republic’ is marked annually in North Korea where it is one of the most important festivals in the rogue state’s calendar – as well as a regular opportunity for major tests.
Harry Kazianis of the Centre for the National Interest thinktank said: “I think another ICBM test to be honest with you could come on September 9. The North Koreans love to put on a big show for their big national holiday.
“They’re going to want to get the most attention they can.”
It comes just days after China also carried out explosive military drills on North Korea’s doorstep.
China’s air force carried out exercises near the Korean peninsula, practising to defend against a “surprise attack” – presumably from their erratic neighbours.
Chinese state-run media, which effectively acts as a propaganda wing for leader Xi Jinping’s government, said the drills took place early yesterday.
They said the drills took place near the Bohai Sea, the innermost gulf of the Yellow Sea which separates China from the Korean peninsula.
Troops travelled to the site from central China before immediately beginning drills to fend off the “surprise attack” simulating real battle.
Chinese press boasted: “The troops rapid response capabilities and actual combat levels have effectively been tested.”
They also said new weapons, used to shoot down airborne missiles, were successfully tested for the first time.