RAPID CITY, S.D. — Anxiety turned into jubilation in South Dakota Aug. 26
when the Base Realignment and Closure Commission voted 8 — 1 to keep
Ellsworth Air Force Base, the state’s No. 2 employer, open.

For months, when the military base reorganization procedure was announced,
national, state and local officials went into action to save what was at
first billed as an economic issue with up to 8,000 military and civilian
jobs on the line. Estimates put the economic impact of the base at $65
million per year for the immediate region.

The Ellsworth Task Force, which was founded 10 years ago when other
military closings took place, geared up for the fight. The state’s
congressional delegation was at the center of the battle with the Pentagon
and the BRAC Commission.

The message to the commission turned from economics to defense. Ellsworth,
headquarters for the 28th B-1B Bomber Wing, would have moved to Dyess Air
Force Base in Texas had it closed. The arguments to keep Ellsworth open
turned to national security, claiming that it would be more beneficial to
national security if there were two B-1 bomber bases.

“I’m pleased the BRAC commissioners recognized the invaluable contribution
Ellsworth Air Force Base makes to our national security and has recommended
against placing it on the final base closure list.

“Ellsworth is critical not only to our national defense, but to the
economic livelihood of the Rapid City area,” said Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D.

The economic impact to the American Indian population in the state and the
reservations is nearly impossible to determine. Air Force officials said
they do not collect racial data on employees. The Pentagon and high level
officials of the Air Force could not determine whether or not minority
contracts, such as 8(a) contracts with American Indian companies and
tribes, would have been affected by Ellsworth’s closure.

Information on contracts affecting Indian country with other closures and
realignments of military bases could not be determined.

When realignment was announced, two South Dakota tribes went on record to
claim the land, buildings and other facilities of the 5,000-acre base.
Ellsworth was built in 1942 on land that is located within treaty land.

Ira Taken Alive, a member of Rep. Stephanie Herseth’s staff, may have
summed up the situation best: “Ellsworth keeps watch over our traditional
homeland.”

Tribal chairmen at a recent gathering said they supported the effort to
keep Ellsworth open even though two tribes laid claim to the land in the
event of its closure.

The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association was contacted just prior to
the announcement and asked to partner with Black Hills Vision, a group
working on “Plan B” if the base closed. Plan B was formed to develop plans
for economic development in case of the base closing.

Black Hills Vision came to the tribal chairmen to open communications and
involve the tribes in a partnership.

“The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association is the best place to come
to get tribal involvement. We want to seek your partnership,” said Mark
Merchand, chairman of Black Hills Vision.

Recurring issues with Ellsworth began creeping to the surface. When the
base was constructed, a portion of the Pine Ridge Reservation, mostly
located in the South Dakota Badlands, was used as a bombing range. Today
there is still ordinance residue in the area, with some ammunition and
bombs still active. Cleanup efforts are under way.

Had the base closed, Cecilia Fire Thunder, president of the Oglala Sioux
Tribe, said money for the bombing range clean up would be welcome.

What the base closing and partnership with Black Hills Vision represented
would have been an opening to meet face to face with state, local and city
leaders.

“As leaders we need to dialogue with local leaders; we support Rapid City
retailers,” Fire Thunder said.

Chairman Harold Frazer, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, agreed that Rapid City
and other cities need to do more for Indian people. The closing of
Ellsworth would have brought the tribes and local leadership closer
together. Closer work with the state would have also resulted from a
decision to close.

Gov. Mike Rounds encouraged Black Hills Vision to partner with the tribes.

What the decision to keep the airbase open means to this potential
partnership is not certain. Black Hills Vision will continue with efforts
to develop economic expansion for the region.

It is not certain whether tribal leaders may have lost an opportunity to be
directly involved with the future economic development of the region. The
elevated presence could have been used to educate the non-Indian community,
provide leverage for gaming compact negotiations, develop individual
businesses, develop business training and loan opportunities and involve
all communities in other American Indian issues.

Prior to the announcement, political careers were a topic of discussion on
national television and in coffee shops. Sen. John Thune’s future was at
stake. He campaigned partly on the Ellsworth issue, claiming that as a
Republican he would have more leverage with the president to keep the base
open.

Thune defeated Sen. Tom Daschle, then Senate Minority Leader, in an
election that followed a contentious campaign. Voters in Indian country
overwhelmingly supported Daschle.

The entire congressional delegation, the governor and hundreds of people
across the state can be credited with efforts to save Ellsworth, state
officials said.

“Ensuring that the commission voted to remove Ellsworth from the base
closing list was truly a group effort,” Johnson said.

“I was proud to work with Senator Thune, Representative Herseth, Governor
Rounds and the Ellsworth Task Force to make today’s vote a reality,” he
said in a prepared statement.

Herseth also commented on the bi-partisan effort. Mentioning the task
force, the governor and senators Thune and Johnson, Herseth said, “We have
not only worked hard but we have worked together, and we should be proud of
this victory for South Dakota’s future.”

Thune also praised the BRAC decision. “I am proud to have been a part of
this victory to keep Ellsworth open, especially as America continues to
fight the war on terror. Ellsworth Air Force Base is integral to America’s
current and future security needs.”