Ellsworth AFB B-21 expansion update

BOX ELDER, S.D. (KELO) — Getting ready for the B21 expansion at Ellsworth Air Force Base is a huge endeavor.

38 different projects are underway to make sure western South Dakota is ready for the influx of people.

Today was the fourth of seven weapon generation facility groundbreaking events at the base.

The weapon generation facility is a critical expansion at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

“First it’s going to consolidate operations, which will be much more efficient. It’ll have the latest safety features and security features. So a much more safe, secure, effective facility,” Major General John Newberry said.

Along with the new additions, crews are also working to update some of the base’s older facilities.

“The maintenance on those weapons while they’re still within a secured facility. That’s what you’re really trying to bring together. Along with, again, our older facilities needing to be updated and fixed anyway,” 28th Bomb Wing Commander Derek Oakley said.

Several thousand new airmen are going to be calling Ellsworth home. And this new facility will see over 400 individuals taking care and maintaining inside and will see a new mix of brand new airmen as well as those who are already here at Ellsworth.

“You’ve seen expansion happen on you know what we would call the traditional base side, now it happens on the other side of the base. But with that, the numbers that we throw out, for the number of people coming in. You know, the 4,000 person increase includes these numbers as well,” Oakley said.

“B-21 will be just part of a very important aspect. All the infrastructure you see in Ellsworth right now is just getting ready for the B-21s so it can become fully operational when it arrives,” Newberry said.

Construction on the weapon generation facility is set to begin immediately and will be completed in time for the arrival of the B-21s.

Once construction is done, the section will be a location for several airmen new to the force, with these new facilities providing additional learning resources as well.

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