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SD senator wants cash for new bomber

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune said the Ellsworth Task Force could help convince Congress to fund a new Air Force bomber in the next budget.

President Obama did not include money in his proposed budget to develop what’s called the next generation bomber that would be available in 2018.

The Ellsworth Task Force at Rapid City was instrumental in keeping Ellsworth Air Force Base open after the Defense Department decided in 2005 to close it. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission later voted to keep Ellsworth operating.

The military needs a long-range strike capability and bombers now in use are aging, Thune said in a conference call Monday with members of the Ellsworth Task Force and Richard Hawley, a retired Air Force general and former commander of Air Combat Command.

Thune said there appears to be plenty of agreement on the need for a new bomber, which could be based at Ellsworth AFB.

“My impression is these decisions are largely being driven by budgetary considerations,” Thune said. “They’re trying to find savings and they’re looking for some low-hanging fruit.”

Thune suggested the Ellsworth Task Force work with groups in other states that have Air Force bomber bases and lobby the Armed Services Committee that writes the military spending bill.