SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — State lawmakers are looking at possible ways to help the Box Elder and Rapid City areas get ready for the new B-21 bombers.
The Legislature’s Select Committee on Legislative Relationships with Ellsworth Air Force Base convened in Sioux Falls on Thursday. Ellsworth Air Force Base and the surrounding communities are preparing for the arrival of America’s newest and most lethal weapon with wings, the B-21 Stealth bomber, also called the Raider. The commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, Colonel Derek Oakley told the lawmakers that he is often asked when the first B-21 will arrive in South Dakota, his answer is the mid-2020s.
“However I hope people understand that for me mid 2020s means 2021 to 2029,” said Oakley. “So I don’t know either. It is really dependent on the test program and how well the platform does. and so if it does well and everything tests out great then they will start producing the first airplanes that will come to Ellsworth. So when we know, you’ll know.”
U.S. Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune also stopped by to speak with lawmakers and answer questions. In preparation for the new bomber, Ellsworth will be overhauling a good portion of the runways at the base. That means the base’s current fleet of B-One Bombers will be temporarily stationed in North Dakota.
“I stuck a provision into the Defense Authorization Act to make sure there is no imbalance so to speak that becomes permanent as some of the B-Ones are moved to other locations,” said Thune.
B-21 will bring nuclear capabilities back to Ellsworth. Colonel Oakley indicated it has been about 30 years since the base had nuclear weapons since that mission was abandoned for the B-One in 1994.
“What we owe you in a nuclear culture is safety and surety right, be safe in what we do and we need to make sure those weapons only go off when they are supposed to go off,” Oakley told lawmakers. “So that’s what we need to build as a culture for our folks, we do it everywhere else, we just need to make that transition at Ellsworth.”
The lawmakers also got an update on the 35 major construction projects underway at the base as well as funding efforts for a new elementary school in the Douglas School District.
