The original extension of RAAF Tindal was cited for max weight tanker operations ( which could have been done up the road at Darwin) The B52 op’s doesn’t appear to be a recent thought bubble at all. But part of a USAF strategy of dispersing their Pacific bomber operations for which Northern Australia sits perfectly for. As it did in WW2. Staging through Tindal, Darwin & Amberley, the USAF has the SW Pacific & beyond covered. Base hardening and long range SAM’s will be the next move. Most of which will be an Australian responsibility.