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Pentagon Seeks to Reduce Active B-1 Bomber Fleet
The U.S. Air Force plans to reduce its active force of B-1 bombers, the Abilene (Texas) Reporter-News reported yesterday. The long-range bombers were originally intended to carry strategic nuclear weapons, but have been converted for conventional missions (see GSN, Oct. 8, 2003). The reduction was revealed by the Defense Department in a phone call to U.S. Representative Charlie Stenholm (D-Texas), whose congressional district includes Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene. Stenholm said the Pentagon is seeking to eliminate the 13th Bomb Squadron at the base, which consists of seven B-1s, by transferring four to another squadron and placing three in a backup capacity. The cost-saving move could cost the air base 140 jobs, according to the Reporter-News. Stenholm vowed to fight the move. “It is important to remember this is only a proposal at this time,” he said. “We have a long ways to go before the Air Force’s plan becomes a reality, and I plan to work closely with Dyess officials to make sure their mission is protected,” he added (Tara Copp, Abilene Reporter-News, Feb. 3).
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