BRAC commissioners voted Friday to preserve Ellsworth AFB, S.D. The big B-1B bomber base now will stay open, as will a second B-1B facility, Dyess AFB, Tex. This decision essentially destroys USAF’s plans for consolidating all of the Air Force’s Lancers in a single location—Dyess. Commissioners said closing the base would not save any money, contrary to DOD assertions. They also believe that consolidation of the B-1 fleet would hurt mission readiness. The two bases are both “very, very good,” said commissioner Harold Gehman, a retired Navy admiral.
The Pentagon on March 30 announced a a $3.8 billion contract modification to buy F135 engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter from contractor Pratt & Whitney.