BUFFs return to Ellsworth AFB … for a while
Venerable Cold War warrior and crews are at home in South Dakota’s skies
by Jack Siebold, MyTown editor
In 1987 the last B-52 left Ellsworth AFB, being replaced by the new B-1s. Wednesday, those B-1s have to make room for the return of the Big Ugly Fat Fellows … at least for a while.
Three B-52 Stratofrotress bombers from Minot AFB, N.D., arrived at Ellsworth Wednesday afternoon; soon to be followed by five more bombers. The eight bombers will share the base with the 28th Bomb Wing’s Lancers while the North Dakota base’s runway is reconstructed. The remaining 20 Minot bombers will either be deployed to the Pacific or left at home.
“We are going to be here, hopefully, through the end of September,” Col. Todd Copeland, 5th Operations Group commander said.
There aren’t many bomber-sized bases left in the Air Force inventory so it was slim pickings in deciding where Minot’s B-52s would temporarily fly out of. Still, Ellsworth is the pick of any litter; partly due to the fact it was home to the venerable BUFF for almost three decades of the Cold War and also due to
its proximity to Minot.
“The reason we came to Ellsworth – there were three drivers – is training for the mission, cost and quality of life,” Copeland said. They already use the Powder River Training Range and Ellsworth is a lot closer to home than say Barksdale AFB, La., where the only other B-52s are housed. This saves about $1.2 million.
Then there is the immeasurable savings on troop morale. “This squadron has been deployed to the Pacific numerous times and this is an out-of-cycle rotation for them so we really wanted to be somewhere close so the families could get here or they could get back home if necessary since they are going to be gone again in the near future,” Copeland explained.
In 1987 the last B-52 left Ellsworth AFB, being replaced by the new B-1s. Wednesday, those B-1s have to make room for the return of the Big Ugly Fat Fellows … at least for a while.
Three B-52 Stratofrotress bombers from Minot AFB, N.D., arrived at Ellsworth Wednesday afternoon; soon to be followed by five more bombers. The eight bombers will share the base with the 28th Bomb Wing’s Lancers while the North Dakota base’s runway is reconstructed. The remaining 20 Minot bombers will either be deployed to the Pacific or left at home.
“We are going to be here, hopefully, through the end of September,” Col. Todd Copeland, 5th Operations Group commander said.
There aren’t many bomber-sized bases left in the Air Force inventory so it was slim pickings in deciding where Minot’s B-52s would temporarily fly out of. Still, Ellsworth is the pick of any litter; partly due to the fact it was home to the venerable BUFF for almost three decades of the Cold War and also due to
its proximity to Minot.
“The reason we came to Ellsworth – there were three drivers – is training for the mission, cost and quality of life,” Copeland said. They already use the Powder River Training Range and Ellsworth is a lot closer to home than say Barksdale AFB, La., where the only other B-52s are housed. This saves about $1.2 million.
Then there is the immeasurable savings on troop morale. “This squadron has been deployed to the Pacific numerous times and this is an out-of-cycle rotation for them so we really wanted to be somewhere close so the families could get here or they could get back home if necessary since they are going to be gone again in the near future,” Copeland explained.
Training missions won’t change much. In fact, Lt. Col. Joseph Kramer, 28th Operations Support Squadron, says being co-located with B-52 crews is a bonus for the B-1 force. “We’re comfortable doing operations with B-52s. We have done so in the past and we continue to do so. This will be a unique opportunity for us to train face-to-face,” Kramer said. “So we’re going to take advantage of that over the next period here, approximately six months.”
If a “real world” mission pops up, the Minot bomber crews don’t have to worry about missing the action just because they are “homeless.” “We can launch from here if necessary and we can also deploy down range and pick up weapons down range, if necessary as well,” Copeland confidently said.
As well as the eight bombers, Minot will have anywhere from 250 to 350 airmen at Ellsworth, to support their missions. The number will fluctuate weekly or monthly depending upon the missions. Most will be involved in operations and maintenance, with Ellsworth’s support airmen picking up the slack.
The extra airmen will be housed on as well as off of Ellsworth. “Ellsworth and the town of Rapid City have been fantastic in helping us out; making sure we’re lodged appropriately; that all the airmen have good accommodations. We couldn’t be happier,” Copeland said
If a “real world” mission pops up, the Minot bomber crews don’t have to worry about missing the action just because they are “homeless.” “We can launch from here if necessary and we can also deploy down range and pick up weapons down range, if necessary as well,” Copeland confidently said.
As well as the eight bombers, Minot will have anywhere from 250 to 350 airmen at Ellsworth, to support their missions. The number will fluctuate weekly or monthly depending upon the missions. Most will be involved in operations and maintenance, with Ellsworth’s support airmen picking up the slack.
The extra airmen will be housed on as well as off of Ellsworth. “Ellsworth and the town of Rapid City have been fantastic in helping us out; making sure we’re lodged appropriately; that all the airmen have good accommodations. We couldn’t be happier,” Copeland said
The B-52 has been in the Air Force inventory since 1952, first as a dedicated nuclear strike aircraft. It was converted to a conventional bomber during the Vietnam War. About 58 remain on active service with 18 more bombers flown by a reserve unit.
While extremely old for a combat aircraft, the BUFF is expected to have a longer lifespan than any other bomber. It has a solid “fan base” and a lot of respect from adversaries.
“It’s certainly not new, but what we like to tell people is ‘Don’t laugh. It’s paid for!’ It’s served very well over the years,” Copeland said. “I think the B-52 has been around for so long it’s recognized and every nation realizes the capabilities that it can still bring to the fight.”
While extremely old for a combat aircraft, the BUFF is expected to have a longer lifespan than any other bomber. It has a solid “fan base” and a lot of respect from adversaries.
“It’s certainly not new, but what we like to tell people is ‘Don’t laugh. It’s paid for!’ It’s served very well over the years,” Copeland said. “I think the B-52 has been around for so long it’s recognized and every nation realizes the capabilities that it can still bring to the fight.”