BOX ELDER, S.D. – Ellsworth Air Force Base delivered their State of the Base update this week, highlighting new developments that will be taking place over the next couple of years.
28th Bomb Wing Commander Col. Derek Oakley says with construction costs totaling $1.5 billion, officials are modernizing any outdated equipment in anticipation of the new B-21 Raider.
The Raider is expected to arrive within the next couple of years, but until then, Oakley says the base is doing its best to prepare not only to house the new aircraft, but to grow with the times.
The base will be updating infrastructure as well as adding environmental protection shelters to help protect the new bombers from the weather.
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