BOX ELDER, S.D. — Ellsworth Air Force Base has fired a second commander in just two months.
In a Ellsworth AFB press release, Lt. Col. Carsten Stahr was relieved from duty Sept. 11 by Col. Derek Oakley. Stahr was commander of the 28th Force Support Squadron at Ellsworth AFB.
Stahr was relieved of command “due to the loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead the squadron,” according to the news release.
On January 4, 2024, an Air Force B-1B Lancer crashed at the base during a training mission. Four crews ejected before the crash. One crew was treated at a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
In July, the U.S. Air Force released a 58-page report which was critical of the crew involved. The plane was a complete loss with an estimated cost of $456 million.
Another Ellsworth AFB commander was relieved of his duties in August after the crash report was released. Col. Mark Kimball was relieved “due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command.”
Although adverse weather conditions substantially contributed to the mishap, the crew lacked situational awareness to adjust to changes in local wind direction during landing, according to the report. Ineffective crew communication also contributed to the crash.
