Rounds: Ellsworth to be one of Three Bases to be Considered to Receive the First B-21 Bombers

PIERRE – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement on Ellsworth Air Force Base being named one of three bases evaluated to receive the first B-21 Raider Bombers.

“I welcome today’s decision to include Ellsworth Air Force Base as a candidate to be the first base to receive the new B-21 Raider bomber,” said Rounds. “It reaffirms the vital role Ellsworth plays in our national defense. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue working with Secretary Wilson and others to make certain the Air Force fully considers the tremendous value of Ellsworth and the value to our nation of placing the B-21 there as soon as possible.”

The announcement is formally expected later today. In addition to Ellsworth, Dyess and Whiteman Air Force Bases will also be evaluated, with a decision expected in 2019.

Background on the B-21 Bombers and Ellsworth Connection:

The B-21 was named the “Raider” after the heroic Doolittle Raid flown in World War II. This raid was a daring attack on the Japanese mainland that proved to be a pivotal point in the Pacific, and the brave airmen that flew those missions were part of the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The men and women of these two combat squadrons continue to make us proud today, flying B-1B combat missions in the Middle East and they recently returned from operations in the Pacific. This decision by the Air Force cements a long and storied legacy of our great airmen and their accomplishments and I look forward to the day when the first B-21 lands at Ellsworth.”   

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