DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — The Department of the Air Force is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the B-21 Main Operating Base 2 (MOB 2) Beddown at Dyess Air Force Base or Whiteman AFB, Missouri.
The EIS will assess the potential environmental consequences of the proposal to beddown the Department of Defense’s new bomber aircraft, the B-21 ”Raider,” which will eventually replace existing B-1 and B-2 bomber aircraft.
The B-21 beddown will take place through a series of three main operating bases, referred to as MOB 1, MOB 2 and MOB 3. The DAF selected to beddown MOB 1 at Ellsworth AFB. The DAF proposes to beddown MOB 2, which includes B-21 operational squadrons, weapons instructor course, an operational test and evaluation squadron and a weapons generation facility, in this EIS.
The B-21 will operate under the direction of the Air Force Global Strike Command. The B-21 will have both conventional and nuclear roles and will be capable of penetrating and surviving in advanced air defense environments. It is projected to enter service in the 2020s.
The DAF will host six public scoping meetings to allow members of the public to learn about the project and provide public comments. Public scoping meetings will begin with a 30-minute DAF presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session. Written comments can be submitted at any time during the in-person scoping meetings or submitted electronically via the public website at B21EIS.com.
Virtual public scoping meetings will be held at the following dates and times:
• Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT
• Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT
To register to attend a virtual public scoping meeting, visit www.B21EIS.com. Meeting links and instructions will be distributed after registering and prior to all virtual public scoping meetings. All virtual public hearings can be accessed by phone at 1-888-788-0099, Webinar ID: 859 6868 4000, Passcode: 208062.
The in-person meetings will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. CT at the following dates/locations:
• Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, University of Central Missouri, Elliott Student Union, Main Ballroom, 511 S. Holden St., Warrensburg, MO
• Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, Knob Noster High School, 504 South Washington Ave., Knob Noster, MO
• Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N 6th St., Abilene, TX
• Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, Tye Community Center, 103 Scott St., Tye, TX
Scoping comments on the proposed action can be submitted through January 5, 2024:
• Via the public website at www.B21EIS.com.
• By mail to: Leidos, ATTN: B-21 EIS, 12304 Morganton Hwy #572, Morganton, GA 30560
Inquiries can be directed to:
o Dyess AFB Public Affairs, ATTN: B-21 EIS, 7 Lancer Loop, Suite 210, Dyess AFB, TX 79607; (325) 696-4820; 7bwpa@us.af.mil
o Whiteman AFB Public Affairs, ATTN: B-21 EIS, 509 Spirit Blvd., Bldg. 509, Suite 116, Whiteman AFB, MO 65305; (660) 687-5727; 509bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil
For more information, visit B21EIS.com.
