The B-1Bs of the twenty eighth Bomb Wing are returning to Ellsworth AFB, after runway reconstruction has been accomplished in preparation for the B-21’s arrival.
B-1B Lancer bombers from Ellsworth AFB (Air Drive Base), South Dakota, assigned to the thirty seventh Bomb Squadron of the twenty eighth Bomb Wing (twenty eighth BW), completed their ten-month non permanent relocation to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, and returned to their residence base on Dec. 3, 2025. The relocation to Grand Forks allowed to conduct large infrastructure and runway improve work at Ellsworth AFB, forward of the arrival of the B-21 Raider within the speedy future.
On the identical day the B-1B bombers returned to Ellsworth AFB, the twenty eighth BW held a ribbon slicing ceremony to mark the completion of the $129.5 million runway reconstruction and improve. Previous to that, the twenty eighth BW launched on Nov. 21 photos on DVIDS displaying the upgraded runway and on Nov. 26 testing of the airfield touchdown steering lights, highlighting the work was to arrange “for incoming B-21 Raider operations.”
In its Fb publish, Ellsworth AFB mentioned: “Just a few of our plane have returned to Raider Nation, touching down on the newly reopened runway and restoring the sound of freedom to the Black Hills. Aircrews, maintainers, and help groups gathered alongside the flightline because the Lancers rolled in, marking an enormous milestone made potential by months of teamwork between Airmen, engineers, and mission companions.”
Short-term relocation
Ellsworth was chosen as the primary B-21 Raider base after it cleared an EIA (Environmental Impression Evaluation) in 2021. Whiteman AFB, Texas, and Dyess AFB, Missouri, have been designated because the B-21 Raider’s second and third MOBs (Primary Working Bases), respectively, in mid-September 2024. Ellsworth was to assemble or renovate greater than 20 main amenities earlier than the B-21’s arrival, with works anticipated to be accomplished between 2025 and 2026.
A few of these included multi-million greenback contracts to Conti Federal to arrange particular infrastructure for the B-21 Raider. Among the many deliberate works are a Gasoline-Cell Hangar, Gasoline Techniques Upkeep Dock, Radio Frequency Hangar, Weapons Loader Coaching Facility, and a Part Upkeep Hangar.
B-1B Lancer bombers return to Ellsworth AFB
The relocation began on Dec. 4, 2024, and 17 of the twenty eighth BW’s B-1Bs had moved to Grand Forks AFB by early January, as introduced again then by the unit. Notably, the non permanent relocation to Grand Forks AFB additionally marked the B-1B Lancer returning to that base 30 years after the kind left the situation, when the previous 319th Bomb Wing first transitioned from the bomber to the air refueling mission.
The bombers returned to Ellsworth AFB on Dec. 3, with the announcement and the photographs launched on Dec. 5. The caption of one of many photos capturing a B-1 taxiing at Ellsworth mentioned: “This marked the primary time any jet has landed at EAFB in 11 months following the completion of a runway undertaking.”
It isn’t clear precisely what number of B-1s have now returned to Ellsworth AFB, however the return would more than likely happen in phases, much like how the switch to Grand Forks AFB came about over almost a month-and-a-half. One other caption, accompanying a picture displaying a B-1B Lancer present process upkeep after returning to Ellsworth AFB on Dec. 3, mentioned: “A number of B-1s returned to EAFB following an 11 month relocation to Grand Forks AFB whereas the runway was being reconstructed.”
A Jan. 23, 2025 assertion from Ellsworth AFB had mentioned round 800 help personnel, munitions and help gear moved to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks AFB.
Photographs additionally captured a B-1B taking off from Ellsworth and present process a hot-pit refuel – drills which will have been carried out instantly upon return to maintain honing logistical and upkeep procedures required for real-world high-intensity operations. The B-1B is the mainstay of the Air Drive’s strategic typical strike missions, as a “long-range, multi-role bomber that carries the most important payload of precision guided and unguided munitions within the Air Drive stock.”
Runway reconstruction and improve work
The runway, apron reconstruction and improve work was carried out by the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers and first contractor RC Building, Inc. Commander of the twenty eighth BW Col. Erick Lord mentioned within the Dec. 4, 2025, press launch concerning the ribbon slicing ceremony that the civil work enhanced the “survivability of this airfield for a minimum of the subsequent 50 years.”
“It additionally offers Ellsworth the power to obtain and launch America’s first sixth era fight plane,” Col. Lord added within the assertion. Since Ellsworth AFB runway closed in December 2024, roughly 220 contractors labored on the undertaking, utilizing 106,000 tons of concrete for the runway floor. Moreover, the undertaking concerned putting in 105 miles of joint sealing to make sure long run sturdiness, in addition to laying 83 miles {of electrical} conduit to help runway lighting and operational methods.
