News

Congressional delegation working to attract more missions to Ellsworth
By Celeste Calvitto, Journal Staff Writer

The possibility of future missions at Ellsworth Air Force Base was at the forefront of a discussion at the base Thursday between Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and the head of the Air Combat Command.

“It was part of the continuing effort to keep Ellsworth Air Force Base on the radar screen,” Thune said about the meeting with Gen. Ronald Keys, who is visiting Ellsworth this week as part of a tour of military installations under his purview.

Working to attract additional missions to Ellsworth is high on the agenda of South Dakota’s congressional delegation after the August decision by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, or BRAC, to reject the Pentagon’s recommendation to close Ellsworth and move its B-1B Lancer bomber fleet to Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.

“Military construction projects aren’t enough,” Thune said, referring to the millions of dollars invested in infrastructure at the base during the past decade. “Just pumping money into infrastructure isn’t going to BRAC-proof a base.”

In addition to the frequently cited hopes for an unmanned aerial vehicle mission, Thune said that he and Keys talked about the airborne laser, or ABL. The ABL is a weapons system designed to detect, track and destroy ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight.

“There’s plenty of capacity for the ABL at Ellsworth,” Thune said.

And although Ellsworth’s bombers aren’t going to Dyess, there’s a proposal to move the base’s maintenance simulator to Texas. Thune said he spoke with Keys in hopes of retaining the program and its 18 jobs.

Maj. Ange Jaskiewicz of Ellsworth’s public affairs office said Keys arrived at the base Tuesday. “He has met with airmen and the leadership of the base, imparting what his vision for the Air Combat Command will be,” she said.

The Air Combat Command operates the Air Force’s fighters and bombers.

Keys also flew the Powder River training range in Wyoming, which played a role in the BRAC Commission decision to save Ellsworth because of its unfettered airspace and because of lawsuits challenging Dyess’ ranges.

Asked to characterize the discussion with Keys, Thune said, “It was a good visit. General Keys was very receptive but circumspect.

“One thing he did say was that in trying to develop new missions today, you have to steal from other bases,” Thune said.

Contact Celeste Calvitto at 394-8438 or celeste.calvitto@rapidcityjournal.com