Press Releases

Ellsworth Airman Identified
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. –
An Airman assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing found dead at his off-base residence Sept. 2, has been identified as Staff Sgt. Lonzell Bryant. 
   Sergeant Bryant, 25, was an aerospace propulsion craftsman with the 28th Maintenance Squadron, were he served since January 2023.
   “The death of Staff Sgt. Lonzell Bryant is a tragic loss for our Raider family, the Air Force, and our community,” said Col. Erick Lord, 28th Bomb Wing commander. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fellow Airmen grieving during this difficult time.”
   Established policy dictates that names of deceased individuals are not provided until at least 24 hours after the next of kin notifications are complete, out of respect for the family. The Department of the Air Force investigation is ongoing.
   For more information, contact the 28th BW Public Affairs office at (605) 385-5056 or via email at: 28bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.
 
All Clear Issued at Ellsworth AFB After Lockdown Following Reports of Shots Near Base
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Officials have issued the all clear following a lockdown after Ellsworth Air Force Base personnel received reports of shots fired near the base perimeter.
The lockdown notice was given at approximately 9 p.m., Sept. 11, out of an abundance of caution when the installation’s emergency notification system issued an alert. Base Security Forces personnel along with local law enforcement responded and determined the incident was off base and there was no active threat on the installation.
“Our response system worked as designed, ensuring the safety of our Airmen and families,” said Col. Erick Lord, 28th Bomb Wing commander.
The 28th Bomb Wing conducted an exercise in August 2025 to evaluate its ability to respond to an active shooter situation on the installation.
For more information, contact the 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office at 28bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.
 
Squadron Commander Relieved
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Lt. Col. Carsten Stahr, commander of the 28th Force Support Squadron here, was relieved of command Sept. 11 by Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing commander, due to loss of trust and confidence in Stahr's ability to lead the squadron. 
 
Base Conducting Raider Reach Exercise Sept. 9-23
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Ellsworth personnel are scheduled to participate in a base-wide exercise Sept. 9-23 intended to assess the ability of the 28th Bomb Wing to respond, react, and adapt in various scenarios.
During the exercise, residents on or near the installation may hear announcements over the base’s “giant voice” system, sirens, simulated gunfire, explosions, and see smoke and response vehicles.
The exercise may impact traffic entering and exiting the installation. Individuals are encouraged to plan to arrive early for appointments and call in advance to ensure services are not impacted.
For more information, contact the 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office at (605) 385-5056, or by emailing 28bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.
 
Base Conducting Raider Reach Exercise Sept. 9-23
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Ellsworth personnel are scheduled to participate in a base-wide exercise Sept. 9-23 intended to assess the ability of the 28th Bomb Wing to respond, react, and adapt in various scenarios.
During the exercise, residents on or near the installation may hear announcements over the base’s “giant voice” system, sirens, simulated gunfire, explosions, and see smoke and response vehicles.
The exercise may impact traffic entering and exiting the installation. Individuals are encouraged to plan to arrive early for appointments and call in advance to ensure services are not impacted.
For more information, contact the 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office at (605) 385-5056, or by emailing 28bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.

 

B-1B Flyover Part of Days of 76 Celebration

 

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – The 28th Bomb Wing is scheduled to conduct a B-1B flyover in support of the Days of 76 Rodeo in Deadwood. The flyover is scheduled, weather permitting, on July 24 at 7 p.m.B-1 flyovers are part of an approved training missions. Residents living near the event and the surrounding community could experience an increased noise level related to the flyover. Individuals who witness the flyover are encouraged to share their photos and videos on Ellsworth Air Force Base’s official Facebook and Instagram pages available at: www.Facebook.com/ellsworthairforcebase and @ellsworthafb on Instagram. For more information, contact the 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office at (605) 385-5056, or via email at 28bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.
 
Base Conducting Exercise July 24 - 25
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Ellsworth security personnel are scheduled to conduct an exercise July 24-25 intended to evaluate the ability of the 28th Bomb Wing to respond to a variety of situations. During the exercise, residents on or near the installation may hear announcements over the base’s “giant voice” system, sirens, simulated gunfire, explosions and see smoke and response vehicles. The exercise is not expected to impact traffic entering and exiting the installation. However, individuals are encouraged to plan to arrive early for appointments and call in advance to ensure appointments and services are not impacted. For more information, contact the 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office at (605) 385-5056, or via email at 28bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.
 
Base Conducting Exercise July 16-18
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Ellsworth security personnel are scheduled to conduct an exercise July 16-18 intended to evaluate the ability of the 28th Bomb Wing to respond to a variety of situations. During the exercise, residents on or near the installation may hear announcements over the base’s “giant voice” system, sirens, simulated gunfire, explosions and see smoke and response vehicles. The exercise is not expected to impact traffic entering and exiting the installation. However, individuals are encouraged to plan to arrive early for appointments and call in advance to ensure appointments and services are not impacted. For more information, contact the 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office at (605) 385-5056, or via email at 28bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.
 
Ellsworth conducting response exercise Apr 17
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – The 28th Bomb Wing will be conducting an active shooter response exercise today, Apr. 17, intended to evaluate the ability of the 28th Bomb Wing to respond to an emergency situation on the installation. During the exercise, residents on or near the installation may hear announcements over the base’s “giant voice” system and sirens, and see response vehicles. All assigned personnel, family members and visitors are required to take appropriate actions. No interference in traffic is expected. For more information, contact the 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office at (605) 385-5056, or via email at 28bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.

 

 

 

 

 

Press Releases

  • We owe it not to our own heritage but to each other’s

    As many of us celebrated Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 8th and Mother’s Day this past weekend, I took a moment to also reflect on eclipsing 20 years since commissioning into the United States Air Force as a Civil Engineer.  What a blessed and phenomenal journey I’ve experienced. 

  • Ellsworth to honor healthcare professionals with B-1 flyovers May 1

    B-1 bombers from the 28th Bomb Wing will conduct flyovers at facilities in Sturgis, Rapid City and Hot Springs May 1 to honor healthcare workers on the front lines of the war on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).The flyovers, allowed as part of an approved training mission, are part of the Air

  • Ellsworth Air Force Base Plans Controlled Burn

    The 28th Civil Engineer Squadron and Air Force Wildland Fire Branch are planning a controlled burn of the pastures north of the base April 26 depending on weather conditions.

  • COVID-19: A single mom’s perspective

    As I sit down to write, my 10-year-old daughter and my 4-year-old son sit nearby while completing school work. They are not by any means quiet, especially not my 4-year-old; he’s yelling from beneath the dining room table. The directions on his worksheet call for him to draw a big blue circle - he

  • FACE COVERINGS MANDATORY FOR BASE COMMISSARY, AAFES SHOPPERS APRIL 11

    Due to a new Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) policy, effective April 11, all patrons and employees at the base commissary and Army and Air Force Exchange (AAFES) facilities will be required to wear face coverings to help limit the spread of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

  • Base Moves to HPCON Level Charlie

    Ellsworth Air Force Base raised its Health Protection Condition (HPCON) level to Charlie in accordance with the Secretary of the Air Force’s direction in response to the spread of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

  • Base Declares Public Health Emergency

    Ellsworth AFB is declaring a public health emergency to better align with the declared national public emergency, South Dakota preventative measures, and Center for Disease Control guidance.

  • Ellsworth Adjusts Hours At Medical Clinic

    The 28th Medical Group has transitioned to conducting routine, non-respiratory related care and pharmacy services for beneficiaries from opening until 11:30 a.m., and COVID-19 screening and other more high-risk appointments and services from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.