Approximately Eight B-52 bombers from Minot AFB, N.D., will spend the next six months at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., while engineers at Minot complete a runway overhaul. More than 300 flight crew and support personnel from Minot also deployed to support flight operations from Ellsworth. “We’ve always had a close relationship with Ellsworth and we’re looking forward to being able to fly more with the B-1s,” said Col. Todd Copeland, commander of Minot’s 5th Operations Group. “This will create a synergistic effect between the two bombers.” The runway repairs are slated to cost between $35 million and $50 million, according to the industry solicitation. The first B-52 touched down at Ellsworth on March 26, according to a base release.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.