Rounds Introduces Legislation to Protect B-1 Bombers at Ellsworth from Premature Retirement

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Rounds Introduces Legislation to Protect B-1 Bombers
at Ellsworth from Premature Retirement


WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today introduced bipartisan legislation that would add congressional oversight of any decision to retire the B-1, B-2 or B-52 bomber aircraft. The Long Range Bomber Sustainment Act of 2015 prevents the retirement of aircraft in the current bomber force unless the Department of Defense certifies that it would not result in a loss of operational capability. There are currently 27 B-1 bombers located at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Box Elder, South Dakota.

“Long-range bombers play an important role in our national defense strategy,” said Rounds. “The current fleet, which is wisely stationed throughout the country, enables the United States to project military power to distant locations around the world. While we can expect some bomber retirements as we develop the new Long Range Strike Bomber, it is critical the turnover does not lead to an insufficient number of bombers in our fleet. Our Air Force must remain the most capable in the world. A strong, properly-supported bomber force will help make that happen.”

Original cosponsors of the Long Range Bomber Sustainment Act of 2015 include Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

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8 thoughts on “Rounds Introduces Legislation to Protect B-1 Bombers at Ellsworth from Premature Retirement”

  1. Well played, Senator. Governmental regulation and oversight really do matter when it’s SoDak’s ox being gored, huh?

    1. after daschle and johnson’s ‘asleep at the switch’ watch in congress let ellsworth be put on brac, the current senators are deciding to be more preemptive and proactive. pardon them for not playing national political games and worrying about the state instead.

  2. Enquire give me a break.How many times has Thune voted against health care for vets many.Mandatory funding is just one,The only thing I can credit Mike with is not as many photo ops and basketball games like the photo op express.

    1. all I saw in the daschle-johnson days was daschle climbing the power ladder and johnson with his moist finger in the wind. the times they actually served the whole state’s interest were dampened by the many times they rubber stamped the democrat party’s agenda and sold it as being in the states’ interest instead. there’s your break.

      1. i’ve noticed what thune always votes against are democrat plans which leverage their power grabbing on the fulcrum of various groups sufferings. vets included.

  3. Wrong he even voted against Johnsons mandatory funding bill for vets.If he is so concerned lets see his bill>Whoops got to go basketball game at the arena.

    1. oh so every vet funding bill the democrats put out is pure and perfect then. fascinating.

  4. So glad Insurance salesman Mike Rounds is pushing for the USA to retain it’s aged Cold War bomber fleet in favor of SD’s economy over our national security.

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