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Dyess AFB soaring into new century
By 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.
1998 was truly a year of firsts for the 45-year-old base.
The B-1B Lancer's participation in the Operation Desert Thunder exercise in November was the first ever for the Dyess bomber. Then, barely a month later during Operation Desert Fox, the B-1 debuted in combat.
Operation Desert Fox was the four-day bombing of Iraq by American-led military forces in December.
"A defining moment for 1998 was preparing the B-1 for conventional warfare," said Dyess Commander Brig. Gen. Mike McMahan. "It was proven that the training paid off for the crews, support personnel and maintenance."
Originally a nuclear warplane, the B-1 is now outfitted with conventional weapons. The bomber flew in support of 10 global power sorties in 1998.
The plane's speed and long-range capabilities, combined with carrying capacity (it can hold almost twice the number of conventional bombs as the B-52) have made it the aircraft to watch.
Dyess also was recently recognized as one of the air bases that meets preliminary criteria for housing an anti-missile system.
The Airborne Laser is a Boeing 747 equipped with a laser beam in the nose. When flying above cloud cover, the aircraft's beam could destroy intermediate-range or cruise missiles in the boost phase of flight. The warhead is not destroyed in the process, only the booster that propels the missile.
Destruction so early in flight would cause the warhead to fall back on the country that launched it, Hans Mark, chief technical adviser to the secretary of defense told the Austin American-Statesman.
Bringing the system to Dyess would add a coveted futuristic third mission to complement the B-1 Bomber and the C-130 airlift mission. Such a move would help secure Dyess from base closure lists, said Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee Frank Puckett.
"The Military Affairs Committee made ABL its top priority a year ago and this news was seen as the fruits of the committee's labor," Puckett said. "If ABL does become the next additional mission for Dyess, it will be the biggest change in the base since the B-1 Bomber arrived in 1985."
The new mission could mean 500 to 1,000 new active duty personnel, $100 million in construction, seven or eight new 747 aircraft and a large group of scientists, engineers and contractors who would work on the project.
Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Phil Gramm, and U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm are staunch supporters of bringing the anti-missile system here.
"As we look forward to the eventual housing of the ABL, we will make sure there is no stone left unturned to make certain Dyess gets an absolute and total look," Stenholm said.
A basing decision is expected sometime by mid-2000.
Today, nearly half of the nation's 93-plane B-1 fleet is assigned to the base, where all B-1 pilots are trained. Dyess' mission also includes operations and training for the C-130.
Air Force workhorse
The C-130 has established itself as an Air Force workhorse.
"The C-130 is going to have to pick up more and more of our nation's airlift requirements in the coming year," McMahan said.
The C-141 Starlifters are being retired at a greater rate than the branch is accepting C-17s into the force; so C-130s might pick up airlift capability slack, Chief of Public Affairs Maj. John Boyle said.
The cargo plane crews found themselves all over the world last year. Participating in everything from Joint Forge in Bosnia to two humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of Hurricanes Georges and Mitch, they flew 59 presidential support missions.
"Dyess continues to look like a shining star and will continue to be a critical part of the economy," Abilene Industrial Foundation President Bill Ehrie said.
AEF lead wing
In March 1999, the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess was named a lead wing of an Aerospace Expeditionary Force.
Being part of the expeditionary force will bring an additional 71 positions to the B-1 unit and seven to the 317th Airlift Group.
The Aerospace Expeditionary Force is made up of a predetermined set of forces; aircraft, personnel and equipment, from which tailored force packages can be rapidly deployed. Each AEF will operate a cross-section of Air Force weapon systems consisting of 10,000-15,000 people and more than 150 aircraft from a variety of separate active duty, reserve and National Guard units. As a lead wing, Dyess commanders will provide leadership of those assets at the tactical level.
Dyess heads into the new millennium as the city's largest single employer with some 5,000 personnel manning 24 squadrons. The base population tops 11,000 when dependents are factored in.
Third B-1 Squadron
And the population is set to grow with the activation of the third B-1 squadron.
The 13th Bomb Squadron will develop in two years as a training squadron with 282 people and funding to fly two aircraft. By 2004, the third B-1 squadron will become combat-ready with six planes funded and 432 military positions.
Upwards of $15 million in on-base construction will precede the start-up.
Scheduled for completion in 1999, a new engine repair center will allow Dyess to repair and maintain a large percentage of the Air Force's B-1 Bomber engines.
By the end of 1999, Dyess will have a new look about it, with the completion of several construction projects. They include: a Marine Corps Reserve Center, an Engine Regional Repair Center, additional 13th Bomb Squadron facilities, Munitions and AGE facilities, and housing privatization.
Housing upgrade
Housing is one area of on-going upgrades at the base.
In 1996, 173 new homes were built to replace 1956 models, By mid-1998, Dyess completed a $27 million dormitory and renovation project.
The government's 1998 military construction budget includes $10.5 million for more Dyess housing.
As many as 400 new apartments and town houses will be constructed in the Air Force's attempt to establish off-base, contract-built housing for military personnel.
Dyess currently has 1,133 housing units, more than 900 of which were built in the 1950s. There are currently 400 names on a 3-to-18-month waiting list for base housing. The housing deficit is expected to surpass 600 by 2000.
An additional $9.41 million have been proposed for 1999 to build 60 new units.
New Visitors Center
One of the newer buildings in the vicinity of the base is the Visitors Center.
Completed in fall 1997, the Visitors Center and Memorial Park were Abilene's gift for the United States Air Force's 50th anniversary.
The Military Affairs Committee raised more than $300,000 in local contributions in just a few months to build the 2,500-square-foot facility.
For many years, Abilene has been recognized by the Air Force for its efforts in supporting Dyess. When the Strategic Air Command was in existence, Abilene won its top award several times. When SAC became Air Combat Command, Abilene sponsored the Outstanding Community Support Award and won it when it was awarded. This year, Abilene will sponsor and present Air Mobility Command's top community support award.
"I believe there is no better relationship between a community and a military installation than there is between Dyess and the people of the Big Country," McMahan said.