Press Releases

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

Ellsworth Airmen prove deployment readiness

  • Published
  • By 010312
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Outstanding performance by the 28th Bomb Wing during several recent deployments and exercises earned Ellsworth Airmen a respite from a major Operational Readiness Inspection planned for April.

"You are ready," said Col. Mark Weatherington, 28th Bomb Wing commander to a gathering of Airmen in the base's Pride Hangar, March 16. "Throughout these exercises and the last decade, you have proven your ability to deploy combat power for this nation, wherever and whenever needed."

Gen. Gilmary M. Hostage III, commander of Air Combat Command, directed the cancellation of the inspection, acting on the assessment and recommendation of 12th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Robin Rand. This decision reflects considerable confidence of Air Force senior leaders in the 28th Bomb Wing's readiness and ability to quickly respond to worldwide contingencies.

"Since 1999, Airmen and B-1s from the wing have deployed to five different operating locations in three different combatant commander areas of responsibility," Weatherington said. Ellsworth B-1s have deployed 12 of every 18 months since 2007, and the wing has deployed almost 1,200 Airmen for 200,000 days each year over that period¬¬ - an average of 560 Airmen constantly deployed.

In the last 12 months, B-1 aircrews from Ellsworth flew more 1,200 combat sorties totaling more than 15,000 hours, with a remarkable mission effectiveness rate of 98.83 percent. Four hundred and thirty-two times, Ellsworth Airmen responded to troops-in-contact situations, providing B-1 top cover to American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines in Afghanistan who were receiving enemy fire. During a phenomenal year of combat, Ellsworth B-1s dropped nearly 700 weapons resulting in the destruction of over 320 targets and an estimated 150 enemy killed in action. In March 2011, two Ellsworth crews flew the first-ever B-1 strike missions launching from the United States and striking 93 of the deepest targets in Libya.

The announcement came at the close an Operational Readiness Exercise, which involves Airmen across the base from all occupational specialties, and includes intensive training activities designed to hone mobilization skills. This was the wing's fourth ORE since June 2011.

Ellsworth Airmen constantly train to maintain their high state of readiness for global contingencies. The wing's mission allows no place for complacency, and Ellsworth will continue to build its culture of continuous self-evaluation and improvement. "In the coming months, we will implement a routine battle rhythm to ensure we take advantage of the gains we have made and maintain a high level of readiness in these important processes," said Weatherington.

The decision by ACC to forgo the planned inspection provides an additional financial benefit, saving the Air Force nearly $250,000 in costs associated with a full inspection by headquarters personnel.

For more information, contact Maj. Matthew Reese, 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Chief, or Mr. Steve Merrill at (605) 385-5056 or (605) 391-7436.