Air Force officials have named the next leader of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Col. Erick Lord is taking the reins at a change of command ceremony later this month, according to a press release from the Air Force.
Lord has extensive experience with the B-1B bomber, including a previous assignment at Ellsworth as a flight commander. Most recently, he served as deputy commander at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, home to a B-52 bomber wing.
Lord takes over for Col. Derek Oakley, who is retiring. Oakley served as Commander at Ellsworth since June of 2023.
Lord is taking command at what’s expected to be a time of transition at Ellsworth. The base is set to be the first operational base for the B-21 stealth bomber at some point in the coming years. The 28th Bomb Wing also faced scrutiny after a B-1 bomber crashed last year. Investigators said an undisciplined organizational culture contributed to the crash.