Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink visited Ellsworth Air Force Base June 30-July 1 to receive updates on the 28th Bomb Wing's B-1B Lancer operations and the ongoing preparations to onboard the B-21 Raider.
During the visit, Meink heard details on an array of topics ranging from the status of B-1B activities to construction of numerous facilities specifically for the B-21. Recently, the base formally accepted a pair of facilities including the $161 million Low Observable Restoration Facility and the $81 million Wash Rack and General Maintenance Hangar.
"Taking ownership of these facilities is a step toward fielding advanced capabilities at scale," Meink said. "The infrastructure completed today is truly innovative, allowing us to preserve the technological edge and deliver the long-range deterrence our nation depends on."
The new buildings are engineered specifically to support the B-21. The facilities will allow maintenance personnel to inspect, clean, and maintain the aircraft's radar-absorbent materials indoors, a process designed to reduce aircraft downtime.
After accepting the facilities, the 28th Bomb Wing deployed fit-out teams to both buildings. These personnel are currently installing computers, furnishings and secure operational equipment to prepare the structures for active use.
Col. Jonathan Keller, 28th Bomb Wing commander, briefed Meink on how the 28th Bomb Wing is balancing ongoing B-1B operations with the B-21 facility construction and other work required in advance of the world's first sixth-generation aircraft.
"The base is actively flying the B-1 globally while simultaneously building the infrastructure for the next generation of airpower," Keller said. "Accepting the keys to our first B-21 facilities is exciting for our Airmen, our civil engineer teams and the community partners who support our long-range strike mission."
The completion of the Low Observable Restoration Facility and the Wash Rack mark the first finished projects in an estimated $2 billion construction effort at Ellsworth AFB. The base will soon house the B-21 Formal Training Unit and serve as the first main operating base for the B-21 Raider.
