Category: Uncategorized

Delegation Applauds Transition of 28th Bomb Wing under Global Strike Command

-Transition further solidifies Ellsworth as a premiere Air Force Base, helps ensure B-1 fleet remains cornerstone of our air defense-

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today praised Ellsworth Air Force Base’s announcement that the 28th Bomb Wing will be moving under the control of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The official transition will take place on October 1. The command structure of the Air Force divides the Air Force into 10 major commands. Although AFGSC will be the controlling command for Ellsworth Air Force Base and the B-1B bombers, Air Combat Command (ACC) will continue to oversee the M-Q9 Reaper control stations located at Ellsworth, and will remain the controlling command for the Powder River Training Complex. This change will only impact the Air Force command structure that oversees Ellsworth and the B-1 bomber fleet. No personnel changes at the base will take place as a result of this decision.

“I applaud the Air Force’s decision to transition the 28th Bomb Wing under Global Strike Command,” said Thune “As the Air Force begins planning ahead for the Next Generation Bomber, moving all the bomber wings under one command will allow for a smoother transition. Air Combat Command will still maintain a role at Ellsworth, continuing its command of the recently expanded Powder River Training Complex (PRTC), and the control stations for the M-Q9 Reapers operating overseas. This transition further solidifies Ellsworth as a premiere U.S. Air Force Base and helps ensure our B-1 fleet remains the cornerstone of our air defense and global strike force. I thank the Air Force personnel who tirelessly worked to make this transition a reality. The men and women who serve at Ellsworth continue to make our state and nation proud.”

“I applaud today’s announcement by the Air Force, which underscores the important role Ellsworth Air Force Base continues to play in our national security,” said Rounds. “As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I look forward to continuing to find ways to support Ellsworth and our service members stationed there.”

“Ellsworth Air Force Base and the resilient airmen there serve an integral role in our national security strategy,” said Noem. “Time and again, they’ve provided strength and reliability in the face of 21st century threats. Today’s announcement by the Air Force further reinforces Ellsworth’s place within the military’s strategic framework. I’m hopeful the transition to the new command will further enable Ellsworth to fly, fight and win.”

According to its mission, Global Strike Command seeks to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations. Currently, Global Strike Command is responsible for the nation’s three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the two B-52 wings, and the only B-2 wing.

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Walt Conahan, a former legislator who served in Pierre representing my neck of the woods, passed away on Saturday:

Mr. Conahan spent 25 years as a senior staff member for the United States Senate, House of Representatives, U.S. Commerce Department and National Transportation Safety Board in Washington before returning to South Dakota to serve for 13 years as the first full-time director of the South Dakota State University Foundation. 
He was press secretary to U.S. Sen. Karl E. Mundt (R-S.D.) and chief of staff for U.S. Rep. James Abdnor (R-S.D.). Later, while leading the SDSU Foundation, the voters of Brookings County elected Mr. Conahan to three terms in the South Dakota State Senate.

Read the entire Obituary here.

How about those announcements last night that Democrats were supposedly going to make for their candidates for Congress & US Senate?

Jon Ellis had noted on the 100 eyes program that an allegedly “good” congressional candidate was supposedly coming out as running at the dinner. Jeff Barth had said the party should be announcing for both offices.

But so far this morning, all we’re hearing are crickets:

The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee says South Dakota’s history of electing Democrats to Congress and the state’s “independent streak” will ensure competitive races in the 2016 elections.
And…
South Dakota Democratic Party Chairwoman Ann Tornberg says the party hopes to run candidates for both those seats. Wasserman Schultz says South Dakota has “a long history” of electing Democrats.

Read it here.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

And nada on candidates. Mark this rollout down as a FAIL.

if you recall my post yesterday with the note to the argus link that was inexplicably inactive.

 

KELO has a bit of explanation this morning:

 This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Bill Maher is not directly affiliated with any Democratic Party fundraiser as an earlier version of this story suggested. His performance is open to the public.

Read that here.

It’s sounding like someone went to the step of actively contradicting the word coming out of the SDDP.

 

This is on the Argus website tonight… But the link is dead.  

from the Associated Press:

Noem campaign consultant Justin Brasell said he’s pleased with the fundraising pace for the quarter and that the congresswoman’s cash on hand total “puts her far and away in the best position she’s ever been in to start a new election cycle.”

and…

Minnehaha County Commissioner Jeff Barth, a Democrat and veteran South Dakota political observer, said Noem is “absolutely” an easier target for Democrats than Thune. He said the party should announce its candidates for both races at Saturday’s McGovern Day 2015, which is the largest annual gathering for South Dakota Democrats and this year features an appearance from Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Read it here.

So, is Jeff Barth intimating they will announce opponents…. Or is he saying the Democrats should have opponents, and setting up Ann Tornberg for failure? 

We’ll see.

Thune to NPS: Accept Responsibility for Cold Brook Fire

“The NPS needs to accept responsibility for this fire, assume liability for damages and expenses, and change its burn policies.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Department of Interior Sally Jewell, U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today called on the National Park Service (NPS) to change its prescribed burn policies. Thune also called on the NPS to accept full liability for damages and expenses to individuals and local and state government entities and provide a timeline and process for reimbursement for the April 13 Cold Brook Fire that burned more than 6,500 acres in Wind Cave National Park.

“It’s been just over two years since landowners and ranchers suffered losses due to the Pautre Fire in northwest South Dakota resulting from an irresponsible prescribed burn set by yet another federal agency when extremely dry conditions and high fire danger were present,” said Thune. “The Cold Brook Fire started by the NPS is just another example of a federal agency taking questionable action without first collaborating with adjacent landowners and local and state officials. The NPS needs to accept responsibility for this fire, assume liability for damages and expenses, and change its burn policies. I am going to continue to hold the NPS accountable and look forward to seeing the agency’s response to my requested prescribed burn policy modifications and timeline for reimbursement.”

On April 13, 2015, the NPS conducted a prescribed burn in the southern portion of Wind Cave National Park, located in the Black Hills. The prescribed burn was intended to cover 1,100 acres; however, due to the extreme dry conditions present at the prescribed burn site, the Cold Brook Fire quickly escalated out of control consuming more than 6,500 acres of Wind Cave National Park.

The text of Thune’s letter is below:
__

April 16, 2015

Secretary Sally Jewell
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240

Dear Secretary Jewell:

On April 13, 2015, the National Park Service Forest Service (NPS) conducted a prescribed burn in the southern portion of Wind Cave National Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The prescribed burn was intended to cover 1,100 acres; however, due to the extremely dry conditions present at the prescribed burn site the fire, named the Cold Brook Fire, quickly escalated out of control consuming more than 6,500 acres of Wind Cave National Park.

In certain circumstances prescribed burns play an important role in federal lands management. However, when a prescribed burn is the recommended management tool, intentionally setting one for any reason in tinder dry forestland or grassland when extremely dry conditions exist is entirely unwarranted and inexcusable and once started has a high likelihood of burning out of control. Historically, carelessly set prescribed burns have resulted in unnecessary endangerment of firefighters, and have destroyed homes, personal property, and public lands.

I strongly urge a thorough and critical review of the Department’s prescribed burn policies and collaboration with local and state authorities and adjacent landowners prior to initiating any future burn. The current prescribed burn practice of following a “prescription” checklist before starting a fire obviously is not adequately preventing prescribed burns from being set in unsafe conditions that are resulting in out-of-control wildfires. There is an urgent need for you to do more to ensure that prescribed burns can continue to be used as a management tool without jeopardizing lives and property.

I fully expect the Department of Interior to assume complete liability for any damages caused as a result of the Cold Brook Fire. Even though the fire was contained to Wind Cave National Park property, I have been informed that fire lines were established on private property and that the intense smoke will likely damage the lungs of young calves in the vicinity resulting in high risk of pneumonia and death loss.

Within 30 days please provide me with a detailed plan for reimbursement to all who were damaged due to this fire, including private individuals, landowners, and local, county, and state entities who suffered economic losses or contributed resources to fighting this fire. Included in the requested plan please provide how claims will be established and processed, and the timeline for reimbursement.

The Cold Brook Fire could easily have been prevented and I strongly urge you to take whatever actions necessary to prevent future occurrences. I fully expect the Department to accept full responsibility and liability for the damages, losses, and expenses due to this fire.

Sincerely,

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Just a reminder not to forget the Brown County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner tomorrow night, Featuring Senator Thune & Congresswoman Noem, and emceed by Lt Gov Matt Michels.

Social at 5:30, Dinner at 6:30.  Tickets are $40 each or $280 per table.

According to their facebook page, there are a couple of ways to purchase tickets, You can Call Char at 380-8370 or Wayne at 380-3560. Or order them online at: https://www.ticketriver.com/event/14927

Word is this will be another dinner with people rumored to have an interest in the 2018 Governor’s race all in attendance.