Thursday,
October 17, 2002 -- B-1s
go to aircraft retirement center >>
The boneyard holds 4,500
planes >>
A
look inside the boneyard >>
Saturday, October 5, 2002 -- Boeing finds no takers for B-1s (Tara Copp) WASHINGTON — Australia and the United Kingdom have rejected overtures from the Boeing Co. to buy the 32 B-1 bombers the Air Force is retiring.
Friday, September 27, 2002 -- Old B-1s head to new homes across nation Retired B-1 bombers are slowly making their way into aviation displays at Air Force bases across the country.
Tuesday, August 20, 2002 -- First of eight B-1s flying to boneyard The B-1B bomber marks another milestone today, but not for speed or number of flight hours.
Saturday, March 16, 2002 -- Air Force progresses in probing B-1 crash (Sidney Schuhmann) The Air Force is a step closer to concluding an investigation into the cause of a B-1 bomber crash into the Indian Ocean during the war on terrorism.
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002 -- U.S. Air Force may salvage B-1 from sea (Sidney Schuhmann) Air Force officials are considering recovering a crashed B-1 bomber from the Indian Ocean’s floor.
Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001 --
Air Force: B-1 safe despite
problems
The B-1 bomber
has the highest mishap rate of any aircraft in the Air Force's
bomber fleet, according to the Air Force Safety Center.
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001 -- Crew in good spirits after rescue from downed B-1 (Tara Copp) WASHINGTON - A B-1 bomber pilot whose plane crashed into the Indian Ocean Wednesday said the whole crew was "pretty bruised up," but in good spirits.
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001 -- B-1 crash could further negatively impact plane's reputation (Sidney Schuhmann and Tara Copp) B-1 bomber supporters were quick to defend the much-aligned aircraft after one of its fleet crashed into the Indian Ocean Wednesday.
Thursday, November 29, 2001 -- Pentagon mum on B-1 record (Sidney Schuhmann) B-1 bomber supporters are eager to know how the aircraft is performing in Operation Enduring Freedom, but the Pentagon isn’t talking because it doesn’t want to “jeopardize the war effort.”
Friday, November 9, 2001 -- Dyess conducts weapons tests The ability of B-1 bombers from Dyess Air Force Base to drop satellite-guided weapons is being tested.
Tuesday, October 9, 2001 -- U.S. claims preliminary success as warplanes press attacks on Afghanistan WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S.-led bombing campaign in Afghanistan, scaled back on Monday in a second round of air- and sea-launched attacks, has been at least modestly successful against its first set of targets, senior Pentagon officials said Monday.
Sunday, October 7, 2001 -- Attack led by sea-launched cruise missiles, long-range bombers WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. and British warplanes and sea-launched missiles struck at air defenses, air bases, communications and training camps of the al-Qaida network in Afghanistan on Sunday to begin what U.S. military leaders called a sustained anti-terror campaign.
Saturday, September 29, 2001 -- Dyess B-1s flying out for repairs (Sidney Schuhmann) The Air Force has finally scheduled repairs for cracks found a decade ago in the B-1B bomber’s tail section.
Thursday, September 27, 2001 -- Changes at Dyess could include new C-130 center (Sidney Schuhmann) In separate announcements Wednesday, lawmakers learned Dyess Air Force Base will lose bombers, but gain missions and possibly a new C-130 operations center.
Saturday, September 22, 2001 -- Dyess likely to send airmen, not B-1s (Sidney Schuhmann) Although some Dyess Air Force Base personnel are being deployed to the Middle East, a rotation system among the nation’s air bases appears to be keeping Dyess B-1 bombers out of the fray.
Fiday, September 21, 2001 -- Military buildup under way; B-1s at Dyess waiting for call (Robert Burns) WASHINGTON — The United States is pouring military firepower into the Persian Gulf area in preparation for President Bush’s promised war on terrorism.
Friday, September 14, 2001 -- B-1s from Dyess resume training (Reporter-News Staff Report) B-1B bombers at Dyess Air Force Base resumed training flights Thursday afternoon.
Thursday, September 13, 2001 -- Dyess Air Force Base deploys C-130s (Sidney Schuhmann) Two C-130 transport planes left Dyess Air Force Base on Wednesday to support missions related to the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
Thursday, September 13, 2001 -- Former Dyess commanders survive attack (Sidney Schuhmann) Two former Dyess Air Force Base commanders at the Pentagon are accounted for and safe after Tuesday’s terrorist attack.
Wednesday, September 12, 2001 -- Experts: Dyess not target for terrorists (Jerry Daniel Reed) Students in Neal Coates' American foreign policy class got a stark dose of relevancy that everyone would just as soon have foregone.
Wednesday, August 15, 2001 -- Air Force works on plan to dump 33 bombers (Tara Copp) WASHINGTON — The Air Force is proceeding with the scrapping of 33 of its 93 B-1 bombers. Air Force Secretary James Roche told Robins Air Force Base in Georgia last week that the base’s B-1 wing will be moved and the 550 personnel linked to it will be retrained, most likely as aviation information technology specialists.
Saturday, July 28, 2001 -- Officials: Dyess likely to survive B-1 cuts (Sidney Schuhmann) If the entire B-1B bomber fleet was retired, would Dyess Air Force Base be reduced to silent runways, empty hangars and locked gates?
Friday, July 27, 2001 -- Dyess set to receive more B-1 funding (Tara Copp) WASHINGTON — Dyess Air Force Base’s B-1 bomber wing is being primed to absorb bomber personnel from elsewhere, according to an Air Force document to be released today.
Thursday, July 19, 2001 -- Amendment would give group time to protect Dyess interests (Tara Copp) WASHINGTON - An amendment barring the use of 2001 defense funds to relocate the B-1 bomber fleet before Oct. 1 would "buy some time" for Dyess Air Force Base advocates to strategize on how to protect the base's interests, they say.
Tuesday, July 17, 2001 -- Rumsfeld defends B-1 cuts, closings (From staff and wire reports) WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, facing resistance from lawmakers protecting local military programs, argued Monday for slashing the B-1 bomber force and closing bases to save money.
Sunday, July 15, 2001 -- Criticism of B-1 is not new; Supporters say bomber capable despite decades of complaints (Sidney Schuhmann) It’s little wonder the B-1B bomber is under attack. Military experts insist the supersonic aircraft isn’t stealthy, can’t jam enemy radars and can’t be maintained without spending astronomical amounts of money. Just last week, the Air Force secretary reported that the B-1 program is $2 billion short of what it needs for upgrades over the next six years.
Thursday, July 12, 2001 -- Dyess will remain B-1 center U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas met with Air Force Secretary James Roche on Wednesday to discuss proposed cuts to the B-1B bomber program.
Friday, July 13, 2001 -- Pentagon launches airborne laser plan; Defense department pushes up schedule (Tara Copp) WASHINGTON — The Defense Department outlined a request for an additional $384 million to speed development of the airborne laser Thursday, two days before the first missile defense test of the Bush administration.
Wednesday, July 11, 2001 -- Pentagon: No mercy for the B-1B WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon apparently will grant no reprieve from its plan to reduce the nation's B-1B bomber fleet, contrary to what Kansas lawmakers say the Air Force told them.
Sunday, July 8, 2001 -- B-1 bomber no stranger to criticism (Bill Whitaker) Memo to Abilene Military Affairs Committee: Is it too late to get some of those B-52 bombers back at Dyess?
Saturday, June 30, 2001 -- Befuddlement surrounds B-1 cuts (Sidney Schuhmann) A last-minute adjustment to the defense budget could be responsible for the confusion surrounding the proposed retirement of one-third of the nation’s B-1 bombers.
Friday, June 29, 2001 -- Questions heat up over B-1 - Rumsfeld says announcement handled wrong WASHINGTON — The secretary of defense apologized Thursday for the handling of a proposal to cut the B-1 bomber force and move the planes out of Georgia, Kansas and Idaho.
Thursday, June 28, 2001 -- Bush budget bags B-1: Outline boosts salaries, cuts bomber program (Mei-Ling Hopgood, Cox News Service) WASHINGTON — The Bush administration outlined a $329 billion defense budget Wednesday for next year that reflects only the first signs of the promised massive overhaul of the nation’s military, including the reduction of a bomber fleet, elimination of a nuclear weapon and possible base closings.
Thursday, June 28, 2001 -- Retiring B-1s could fund remaining bombers’ upgrades (Sidney Schuhmann) Dyess Air Force Base could lose eight B-1 bombers under a plan submitted to Congress on Wednesday by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Wednesday, June 27, 2001 -- Dyess may get more B-1s; Rumsfeld’s plan calls for consolidation Dyess Air Force Base will gain more B-1 bombers under Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s plan to consolidate the nation’s B-1 bomber force at two bases.
Wednesday, June 27, 2001 -- National Guard moving bombers out of Robins Air Force Base WARNER ROBINS, Ga. (AP) — The Secretary of Defense will propose cutting the nation's B-1 bomber force by a third, eliminating the National Guard's B-1 bombers in Georgia and Kansas. The change will leave B-1 bombers at only two of the five present bases — Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene.
April 25, 2001 - City officials question suggested B-1 bomber cuts ... . The former Dyess Air Force Base commander said city leaders are inquiring about the suggested cuts in the 2002 defense budget. Dyess is home to 40 B-1B Lancers. Speculating about how the cuts could affect Dyess and the B-1 would be difficult without more information, Ehrie said.
April 3, 2001 -- Dyess-based planes to perform fly-over at Rangers' home opener ... From staff and correspondent reports The Texas Rangers' home opener against the Anaheim Angels today will open with a salute from Abilene. Two B-1B Bombers based at Dyess Air Force Base will perform a fly-over at approximately 1:55 p.m. as part of the pre-game ceremonies.
December 20, 2000 -- Senators push for funding to ensure B-1B war readiness Senators push for funding to ensure B-1B war readiness By Tara Copp Scripps Howard News Service WASHINGTON - Citing a "disturbing trend" in the B-1B bomber's combat readiness, Texas senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Phil Gramm have asked the Air Force to ...
December 18, 2000 -- Bomber flights boost Air Force's image ... Reporter-News Staff Writer Want to propel through the air at 900 mph in a 190,000-pound steel bird worth $200 million? Who wouldn't? Every potential B-1B bomber flyer must meet a few Air Force requirements first. Answering "yes" to one of the following questions might secure a seat ...
November 29, 2000 -- Dyess officials discuss noise ... and homes near the base. “We’re trying to be a good neighbor,” said Col. James Long, vice commander of Dyess’ 7th Bomb Wing. The noise from two B-1B bombers roaring over the Tye Community Center almost drowned out questions from area residents about selling homes in accident zones, black grease appearing ...
November 27, 2000 -- Public invited to discuss recent noise study with Dyess officials ... was performed 22 years ago. Since then, the base has seen the departure of the B-52 bomber, KC-135 refueler, and T-37 and T-38 trainer aircraft. B-1B bombers and C-130 cargo planes fly daily in the skies around Dyess.
Sunday, June 18, 2000 -- B-1 bombers near 15-year mark at Dyess (Sidney Schuhmann) Ronald Reagan was president, movie-goers were flocking to see “Back to the Future” and celebrities were crooning “We Are the World” when the first B-1B bomber arrived in Abilene on June 29, 1985.
Wednesday, May 10, 2000 -- No hard luck for milestone bomber (Sidney Schuhmann) Good fortune befell a Dyess B-1B bomber named Oh, Hard Luck when it became the first Lancer to surpass the milestone of 5,000 flight hours Thursday.
Wednesday, March 1, 2000 -- Bomber training worries Lubbock (Sidney Schuhmann) Commercial and private flights around Lubbock could be affected by the Air Force’s proposed West Texas low-level bomber training site, city and airport officials there claim.
Saturday, February 12, 2000 -- Air Force tries to ease fly-over fear: B-1, B-52 bombers prove too loud for some in Snyder (Sidney Schuhmann) SNYDER — Lawson Dennis moved to Snyder eight years ago to escape aircraft noise near the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. After listening to a military aircraft demonstration Friday, he said his fears were confirmed that once again he and his family will have to put up with offensive noise.
Friday, January 7, 2000 -- Air Force RBTI: West Texas to get bomber training (SHNS) WASHINGTON — A U.S. senator from New Mexico says the Air Force will recommend low-level training missions come to West Texas, with flights above 3,000 feet coming to the Snyder area.
April 2, 1999 -- Dyess AFB soaring into new century -- (LINDSAY TOZER) On the wings of a combat-tested B-1B Lancer, a new bomb squadron and a potential third mission, Dyess Air Force Base is flying into the new century as strong as, if not stronger than, virtually any other military installation in the country.
Thursday, February 19, 1998 -- Crash may heighten opposition to training proposal (BRENT TAYLOR) SNYDER -- The crash of a B-1B Lancer Wednesday in Kentucky may heighten opposition to a proposed site in West Texas for a bomber training area.
 Glance at the B-1 "Lancer" Bomber By The Associated Press Source: U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet |