On March 27th, 2011, the 34th Bomber Squadron at Ellsworth Air Base became the first B-1 Bomber combat mission to
fly from the United States with the objective of striking overseas targets. The planes flew non-stop from Ellsworth Air Force Base to Libya. The mission was part of Operation Odyssey Dawn.
It was an international military operation under NATO command and enforcing a UN Security Council Resolution. The initial operation implemented a no-fly zone during the Libyan Civil War. The goal was to prevent forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from carrying out air attacks on anti-Gaddafi forces.
Several countries participated in military action. There were strikes by French fighter jets, U.S. and U.K. forces conducted strikes from ships and submarines with Tomahawk cruise missiles. The B-1 group from Rapid City was assigned to bomb Gaddafi forces near Benghazi and help impose the no-fly zone. However, the NATO objectives did not include aiding the rebel forces' efforts to take control of territory held by the Gaddafi government.
As for the 34th Bomber Squadron now in Rapid City, it is the 4th-oldest active squadron in the United States Air Force. It was formed in May 1917, less than a month after the US entered World War I. Members of the squadron participated in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Along with actions like Odyssey Dawn, the 34th Bomb Squadron provides combat-ready aircrews to project global power anytime. And later this year, Ellsworth Air Force Base will be home to the new B-21 stealth bomber.
But on March 27thn 2011, bombers from Ellsworth flew non-stop to Lybia. They became the first planes to fly a combat mission from the US with the objective of striking overseas targets.
Production help is provided by Doctor Brad Tennant, Professor of History at Presentation College.