Ellsworth Air Force Base welcomed its new leader Friday as Colonel Erick D. Lord officially assumed command of the 28th Bomb Wing during a change-of-command ceremony.
Lord steps into the role following the departure of Colonel Derek Oakley, who led the wing through a period marked by both operational milestones and challenges—including a B-1 bomber crash in early 2024 that prompted a leadership shakeup. Lord himself authored the investigation report that cited cultural and training deficiencies within the wing.
A seasoned B-1B weapon systems officer, Lord brings over 2,600 flight hours and extensive combat experience from operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. He previously served at Ellsworth as a flight commander and evaluator with the 37th Bomb Squadron.
During the ceremony, Lord pledged to give “everything that I have” to the Airmen under his command, emphasizing the wing’s critical role in global strike capabilities and strategic deterrence.
Ellsworth is home to the Air Force’s largest B-1B combat wing and is set to receive the first B-21 Raider stealth bombers in the coming years, positioning the base at the forefront of next-generation airpower.
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