ELSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, SD (trfnews.i234.me) – B-1 bombers from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota are expected to be temporarily relocated to Grand Forks Air Force Base. Senator Kevin Cramer has indicated that an environmental assessment, anticipated to be completed by October 8th, should pave the way for this move. The relocation would involve 17 bombers and approximately 800 crew members for a 10-month period, providing maintenance and support for bomber operations.
This shift comes as Ellsworth prepares to host the new B-21 Raider, leading to the eventual retirement of the B-1 and B-2 bombers. Grand Forks Air Force Base, which previously hosted B-1 bombers from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, currently focuses on UAV operations, including the RQ-4 Global Hawk.