This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: The number of bombers and their location was clarified.
BOX ELDER, S.D. (KELO) –Ellsworth Air Force Base and the town of Box Elder are preparing for a population boom. The base is preparing for the arrival of the new B-21 Raiders.
A lot more people will soon call the western South Dakota community home.
The Air Force currently has 141 bombers in inventory. With the upcoming expansion, it could add more than 100 new bombers.
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“We’ve got a B-1 mission that’s kind of at steady state right now. As we build into the B-21 we’re actually going to end up with a third squadron of airplanes, which is what most of that growth will come from. A whole other squadron of aircrew and maintainers to keep the platforms moving,” Ellsworth AFB Commander Colonel Derek Oakley said.
This new Bomb Squadron will be added to the 28th Operations Group, and join the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons.