SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — U.S. Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson said he believes Ellsworth Air Force Base will use the results of the Jan. 4 B-1B bomber investigation as a learning opportunity.
“The investigative report revealed some deficiencies at the Ellsworth Air Force Base that contributed to this incident,” Johnson said in a statement to KELOLAND News. “We have the best military in the world, but we must stay vigilant. I am confident those at Ellsworth will use this as a learning opportunity to emphasize combat readiness and make sure something like this never happens again.”
The Air Force investigative report said “an organizational culture that tolerated decaying
airmanship skills, a lack of discipline, poor communication, and inadequate focus on regulations,” as some of the substantial contributing factors to the crash.
The crash destroyed a $450 millon bomber, the report said.
Although adverse weather conditions substantially contributed to the mishap, the crew lacked situational awareness to adjust to changes in local wind direction during landing, according to the report. Ineffective crew communication also contributed to the crash.
The reporting president of the accident investigation board cited 16 interviews with squadron-assigned and attached aviators in one portion of the report.
The Air Force said in its crash report that, “The chain of command is in the process of responding to the report and taking the appropriate corrective actions.”
U.S. Republican Sen. Mike Rounds said he had read the Jan. 4 crash report. “I stand ready to assist the Air Force and the airmen at Ellsworth Air Force Base in any capacity that I am able, including in terms of getting them any resources they need,” Rounds said in his statement to KELOLAND News. “This event highlights the risks that our men and women in uniform confront every day in service to our country, whether in a training environment or in enemy territory.”
