As Ellsworth Airforce base is tasked with housing the new B-21 bomber, a select committee of legislators asked what they need from the state.
The B-21 Raider will have both conventional and nuclear capabilities.
The South Dakota Select Committee on Legislative Relationships with Ellsworth Air Force Base is looking how to best support the B21 project. The committee met with various stakeholders in Sioux Falls. United States Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds informed the group what the Airforce needs in support of the new transfer.
Rounds said there could be an additional three squadrons added to the Ellsworth base. He said 100 B-21 bombers have been ordered and there may be a need for more. He’s calling on the state to put “skin in the game.”
“I put an earmark in for $42 million, it’s in the T-HUD now for next year. But it still leaves the remaining balance to be covered by state and local unit of government to build the rest of that school. There’s gonna be other possibilities but most certainly right now I think this is one of the most important parts. For the Douglas School District to be able to go back to the Air Force and say look, ‘this really is well supported.’ Not just by the local community but by the State of South Dakota. We recognized what a big deal it is,” said Rounds.
The commander of Ellsworth, Colonel Derek Oakley. said the Airforce does not have an official ask of the state but said education for airmen and women’s children is a priority.
“I’m not here to advocate on how the state spends its money, that’s not my role or responsibility. I am saying that our children need education, and they need good education and they need facilities to do that. So, again, I would say education is one of those needs,” said Sheffield.
He said there is a school system in Alabama that almost lost its neighboring base due to inadequate K-12 educational standards.
During the 2024 legislative session, state efforts to help fund an elementary school in the Douglas School District in Box Elder stalled.
The select committee will conduct another meeting before making any official recommendation.
