Attach 6 - Introduction Base Mission - 30 Oct 10.doc

FA4690-10-R-K102

Introduction Base Mission, Attachment 6

I INTRODUCTION – 30 Oct 10 A.

Base Mission

1.

Historytc "1.

History" tc ""

Ellsworth Air Force Base was founded on 2 January 1942, as the Rapid City Army Air Base. The first military runways opened in September 1942. The original mission involved the training of B-17 Flying Fortress crews, and instructors trained thousands of pilots, navigators, radio operators, and gunners throughout World War II.

After the War, the base served as a training location for weather reconnaissance and combat squadrons. Soon thereafter, the base was made the home of the new 28th Bombardment Wing flying the new B-29 Superfortress. After completion of runway improvements in early 1948, the 28th Bombardment Wing converted from B-29s to the new B-36 Peacemakers. In 1950, the base was reassigned from the 15th Air Force to the 8th Air Force.

In 1955, the Strategic Air Command reassigned the 28th Bombardment Wing back to the 15th Air Force from the 8th Air Force. Shortly thereafter, the Strategic Air Command acted to replace Ellsworth’s B-36s with the new B-52s and, following their arrival, the base came under the command of the 821st Strategic Aerospace Division, headquartered at Ellsworth.

The 850th Strategic Missile Squadron, initially under command of the 28th Bombardment Wing, was activated at Ellsworth in October 1960. This squadron prepared for the assignment of Titan I Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM). Headquarters Strategic Air Command activated the 44th Strategic Missile Wing in January 1962, shortly before the arrival of the ICBM’s. At this time, SAC also named the 44th Strategic Missile Wing as the host wing of Ellsworth. By the end of 1962, the original Titan I missiles had been rendered obsolete.

In July 1962, the Strategic Air Command activated the 66th Strategic Missile Squadron. The 66th was joined shortly thereafter by the 67th and the 68th Strategic Missile Squadrons. These three squadrons were charged with operating 150 Minuteman I ICBMs under the 44th Strategic Missile Wing. On 1 June 1971, the 821st Strategic Aerospace Division was inactivated. Later that year, upgraded Minuteman II ICBMs replaced the nine year old Minuteman I.

The next wave of changes occurred in the 1980s. In 1986, plans were made for phasing out the B-52s and for incorporating the new B1-B Bombers. The existing runway was renovated, new dormitories were constructed, a new BX and commissary were constructed, and new aircraft maintenance facilities were erected to accommodate the B1-B. In January of 1987, the first of a total of 35 bombers arrived at the base. In July of 1988, the 12th Air Division moved to Ellsworth, assigned with the responsibility for training B1-B, transient B-52, and the 28th Wing’s KC-135 Stratotanker air crews. The 99th Strategic Weapons Wing was activated in August of 1989, assuming primary responsibility for B1-B and B-52 advanced air crew training.

The 1990s brought additional transformations to Ellsworth, largely resulting from the decline of the Cold War. On 3 January 1990, the Strategic Air Command redesignated the 812th Combat Support Group as the 812th Strategic Support Wing, tasked with consolidating all combat support functions into a single organization. Later that year, the Strategic Air Command replaced the 12th Air Division with the Strategic Warfare Center, designated to provide operational, command, and administration control over Ellsworth’s subordinate units.

On 1 September 1991, the 28th Bombardment Wing was renamed the 28th Wing, the 44th Strategic Missile Wing was renamed the 44th Wing and the 99th Strategic Weapons Wing became the 99th Tactics and Training Wing. Shortly afterwards, the Strategic Air Command deactivated both the Strategic Warfare Center and the 812th Strategic Support Wing, with the 28th Wing assigned to absorb all of the 812th’s functions and to serve as Ellsworth’s host organization. Following the Secretary of Defense’s order to stand down all alert operations, the Air Force deactivated the Strategic Air Command, transferring Ellsworth’s organizational structure to the newly activated Air Combat Command in 1992.

After less than a year under the Air Combat Command, the 28th’s mission changed from strategic bombardment to worldwide conventional munitions delivery. The 99th Tactics and Training Wing was renamed the 99th Wing and subsequently transferred to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada in September 1995. The 44th Missile Wing, having completed the dismantling of the 150 ICBM arsenal in April 1994, was inactivated on 4 July 1994.

2.

Base Components tc "2.

Base Components "

The 28th Bomb Wing reports to the 8th Air Force under Air Combat Command and is the ACC’s lead B-1B conventional wing. The 28th Bomb Wing consists of the 28th Operations Group, the 28th Logistics Group, the 28th Support Group, and the 28th Medical Group.

The 28th Operations Group is supported in its mission by the 28th Operations Support Squadron, the 37th Bomb Squadron, and the 77th Bomb Squadron. The 28th Logistics Group is supported by the 28th Logistics Support Squadron, the 28th Maintenance Squadron, the 28th Munitions Squadron, the 28th Supply Squadron, the 28th Transportation Squadron, and the 28th Contracting Squadron. The 28th Support Group is supported by the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 28th Communications Squadron, the 28th Security Police Squadron, the 28th Services Squadron, and the 28th Mission Support Squadron.

3.

Mission Statementtc "3.

Mission Statement" tc ""

The mission of the 28th Bomb Wing is to provide rapid, decisive, and sustainable combat air power...anytime, anywhere!

B. Regional Setting

1.

Geographic Settingtc "1.

Geographic Setting" tc ""

Ellsworth Air Force Base is at the western edge of the Great Plains, nestled against the slopes of the Black Hills. Mount Rushmore is located just 28 miles southwest of Ellsworth. Ellsworth Air Force Base, in western South Dakota, is located 10 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota and is easily accessible via Interstate 90.

2.

Climatic Settingtc "2.

Climatic Setting"

The climate at Ellsworth Air Force Base is typical of the High Plains. At an altitude of 3,247', the climate is semi-arid with an average annual rainfall of 17", and an average annual snowfall of 38".

Summers are mild and winters are temperate, with the region experiencing a mean temperature of 47°F. The mean daily maximum temperature is 60°F, while the mean daily minimum temperature is 37°F.

3.

Geological Settingtc "3.

Geological Setting" tc ""

The natural, regional landscape character is prairie grassland. While open prairie extends to the east, the region is bounded on the west by the Black Hills, the easternmost outcropping of the Rocky Mountains. The mountains rise to a peak elevation of 7,242' above the rolling prairie hills. Dense stands of pine and spruce, climbing amid bald granite crags, create a vast dark range when viewed against the western sky. Hence the name, Black Hills. Harney Peak (elev. 7,242'), the highest point in South Dakota, is located just 43 miles southwest of Ellsworth. On the base proper, the land generally slopes to the southernmost boundary. Drainage for the base as well as for the entire region flows to the Missouri River.

4.

Soilstc "4.

Soils" tc ""

Soils on the base generally consist of expansive clays. Soil borings are required for all subsurface design.