B-1Bs Begin Return to Ellsworth AFB Following Airstrikes

The long-range bombers had temporarily been relocated to another air base after a crash investigation shut down the runway.

Kimberly Johnson

Wednesday, February 07, 2024 at 03:47 PM ET

Verified

A B-1B Lancer from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, takes off from the runway at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, on February 1. Ellsworth B-1Bs recently launched from Dyess Air Force Base to conduct precision, long-range strikes in Iraq and Syria. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

Ellsworth Air Force Base's runway has resumed operations one month after a B-1B Lancer crashed on landing, with the damaged aircraft cleared from the airfield.
Following the crash, B-1B bombers and personnel were temporarily relocated from Ellsworth AFB to Dyess AFB to ensure continued mission capability.
These relocated B-1Bs from Dyess AFB were subsequently deployed for retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq and Syria targeting Iran-backed militia groups.
The successful relocation and deployment validated the B-1B weapon system's mission capability and enhanced interoperability between Air Force bases.

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The runway at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, has resumed operations one month after a B-1B Lancer heavy bomber crashed on the airfield while landing, according to a report.

Runway operations were shuttered after the January 4 mishap that occurred as an Air Force B-1B flying as part of a formation crashed during the landing phase. All four aircrew on board the bomber ejected safely. The runway was temporarily reopened January 25 to move “several” B-1Bs assigned to the base to Dyess AFB near Abilene, Texas.