A 28th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer, from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., conducts aerial refueling with a 909th Aerial Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker, from Kadena Air Base, Japan, during a Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission July 27, 2020.

A 28th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., takes off from Andersen AFB, Guam, prior to a Bomber Task Force mission in the South China Sea, July 21, 2020.

A B-1B Lancer, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., as part of a Bomber Task Force, performs a flyover before landing at Andersen AFB, Guam, July 17, 2020. The BTF is deployed to Andersen AFB in support of Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with allies, partners and joint forces.

A firework display concludes the Salute to America celebration at Mount Rushmore hosted by the state of South Dakota July 3. DoD’s participation during the event included aerial flyovers by the Blue Angels, based out of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., the B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base; South Dakota Air National Guard F-16 Falcons from the 114th Fighter Wing, Sioux Falls; and HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Company C, 1-189th Aviation Regiment, in Rapid City, S.D. Additionally, the U.S. Air Force Academy Band, from Colorado Springs, Colo., and the 147th band, from Mitchell, S.D., provided musical entertainment. The events celebrated the 244th year of the Independence of the Nation and provided the DoD an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities and professionalism of the Armed Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin McIntosh)

Col. David Doss, 28th Bomb Wing commander, (center) and Col. Daniel Hoadley, 28th BW vice commander (left), and South Dakota Sen. John Thune (far right) greet President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump upon their arrival at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., July 3, 2020. The president and first lady arrived at Ellsworth en route to Mount Rushmore National Memorial for the Salute to America celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hailey Staker)

A crew chief from the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., prepares to taxi a B-1B Lancer before an approximately 29-hour long-range, long-duration, strategic bomber mission to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility, May 28, 2020. Base maintainers conduct periodic inspections and intermediate-level maintenance work around the clock, in all types of weather at locations around the globe, to ensure the bombers, equipment, and munitions are ready for combat – anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Nicolas Z. Erwin)