Sen. Thune – 20 years since proposal to close Ellsworth AFB

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)

WASHINGTON, DC (KELO.com) — Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City has come a long way in the last 20 years – and Senator John Thune says he aims to keep it going.  20 years ago the Defense Department’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission proposed closing the base.  Thune says it was a gut punch for him, during his first year in the Senate.  An all-out effort saved the base, and Senator Thune says Ellsworth has proven its strategic value since then.

“Ellsworth-Thune”

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1. “Ellsworth-Thune”

Within the next few years, Ellsworth will expand to become home to the new B-21 Raider Stealth bomber.