Dyess Air Force Base and Ellsworth Air Force Base Force Structure Change Environmental Assessment

Summary

This Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzes the potential environmental consequences resulting from a United States Air Force (Air Force) proposal to implement force structure changes associated with B-1 aircraft actions at Dyess AFB, Texas and Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

The proposed action (Alternative A) at Dyess and Ellsworth AFBs would involve the following five components: 1) relocation of the B-1 Weapons School (WS) and Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) program from Ellsworth AFB to Dyess AFB; 2) mission redesignation of one squadron of six B-1 aircraft at Dyess AFB from Primary Mission Aircraft Inventory (PMAI) to Primary Training Aircraft Inventory (PTAI) to support the Flight Instructor Course, the WS, and the OT&E program; 3) redesignation of six B-1 PTAI aircraft at Ellsworth AFB to PMAI aircraft to support consolidation of combat mission aircraft at that base; 4) removal of six B-1 aircraft from Dyess AFB; and 5) reduction of 58 personnel at Dyess AFB and 5 personnel at Ellsworth AFB. Implementing the proposed action would decrease the number of B-1 aircraft at Dyess AFB from 36 to 30. At Ellsworth AFB, the total number of B-1 aircraft would not change from 24, although missions would be redesignated from training to combat. The Air Force has also identified an action alternative (Alternative B). Under Alternative B, 12 PMAI B-1 aircraft at Dyess AFB would be relocated to Ellsworth AFB. The components of the proposed action involving mission changes and removal of six B-1 aircraft would be implemented as well. At Dyess AFB, personnel would decrease by 469; personnel at Ellsworth AFB would increase by 406. In addition, the Air Force is required to analyze the no-action alternative (Alternative C). Under the no-action alternative, the Air Force would not implement any force structure changes at Dyess AFB or Ellsworth AFB.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Dyess Air Force Base Archaeology Archive - Documents and Images

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Dyess Air Force Base

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