The B-1Bs of the 28th Bomb Wing are returning to Ellsworth AFB, after runway reconstruction has been completed in preparation for the B-21’s arrival.
B-1B Lancer bombers from Ellsworth AFB (Air Force Base), South Dakota, assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron of the 28th Bomb Wing (28th BW), finished their ten-month temporary relocation to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, and returned to their home base on Dec. 3, 2025. The relocation to Grand Forks allowed to conduct massive infrastructure and runway upgrade work at Ellsworth AFB, ahead of the arrival of the B-21 Raider in the immediate future.
On the same day the B-1B bombers returned to Ellsworth AFB, the 28th BW held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the $129.5 million runway reconstruction and upgrade. Prior to that, the 28th BW released on Nov. 21 images on DVIDS showing the upgraded runway and on Nov. 26 testing of the airfield landing guidance lights, highlighting the work was to prepare “for incoming B-21 Raider operations.”
In its Facebook post, Ellsworth AFB said: “A few of our aircraft have returned to Raider Country, touching down on the newly reopened runway and restoring the sound of freedom to the Black Hills. Aircrews, maintainers, and support teams gathered along the flightline as the Lancers rolled in, marking a huge milestone made possible by months of teamwork between Airmen, engineers, and mission partners.”
Temporary relocation
Ellsworth was selected as the first B-21 Raider base after it cleared an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) in 2021. Whiteman AFB, Texas, and Dyess AFB, Missouri, have been designated as the B-21 Raider’s second and third MOBs (Main Operating Bases), respectively, in mid-September 2024. Ellsworth was to construct or renovate more than 20 major facilities before the B-21’s arrival, with works expected to be completed between 2025 and 2026.
Some of these included multi-million dollar contracts to Conti Federal to set up special infrastructure for the B-21 Raider. Among the planned works are a Fuel-Cell Hangar, Fuel Systems Maintenance Dock, Radio Frequency Hangar, Weapons Loader Training Facility, and a Phase Maintenance Hangar.
B-1B Lancer bombers return to Ellsworth AFB
The relocation started on Dec. 4, 2024, and 17 of the 28th BW’s B-1Bs had moved to Grand Forks AFB by early January, as announced back then by the unit. Notably, the temporary relocation to Grand Forks AFB also marked the B-1B Lancer returning to that base 30 years after the type left the location, when the former 319th Bomb Wing first transitioned from the bomber to the air refueling mission.
The bombers returned to Ellsworth AFB on Dec. 3, with the announcement and the photos released on Dec. 5. The caption of one of the images capturing a B-1 taxiing at Ellsworth said: “This marked the first time any jet has landed at EAFB in 11 months following the completion of a runway project.”
It is not clear exactly how many B-1s have now returned to Ellsworth AFB, but the return would most likely take place in phases, similar to how the transfer to Grand Forks AFB took place over nearly a month-and-a-half. Another caption, accompanying an image showing a B-1B Lancer undergoing maintenance after returning to Ellsworth AFB on Dec. 3, said: “Multiple B-1s returned to EAFB following an 11 month relocation to Grand Forks AFB while the runway was being reconstructed.”
A Jan. 23, 2025 statement from Ellsworth AFB had said around 800 support personnel, munitions and support equipment moved to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks AFB.
Images also captured a B-1B taking off from Ellsworth and undergoing a hot-pit refuel – drills that may have been conducted immediately upon return to keep honing logistical and maintenance procedures required for real-world high-intensity operations. The B-1B is the mainstay of the Air Force’s strategic conventional strike missions, as a “long-range, multi-role bomber that carries the largest payload of precision guided and unguided munitions in the Air Force inventory.”
Runway reconstruction and upgrade work
The runway, apron reconstruction and upgrade work was carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and primary contractor RC Construction, Inc. Commander of the 28th BW Col. Erick Lord said in the Dec. 4, 2025, press release about the ribbon cutting ceremony that the civil work enhanced the “survivability of this airfield for at least the next 50 years.”
“It also gives Ellsworth the ability to receive and launch America’s first sixth generation combat aircraft,” Col. Lord added in the statement. Since Ellsworth AFB runway closed in December 2024, approximately 220 contractors worked on the project, using 106,000 tons of concrete for the runway surface. Additionally, the project involved installing 105 miles of joint sealing to ensure long term durability, as well as laying 83 miles of electrical conduit to support runway lighting and operational systems.
