The U.S Air Force will begin a series of meetings Monday on a proposal to expand the Power River Training Complex, an electronic bombing range that stretches across parts of Montana, Wyoming and northwest South Dakota.

The expansion plan would include the addition of training areas into North Dakota, as well as more electronic scoring sites in the complex for B-1B Lancer bombers out of Ellsworth Air Force Base and B-52 bombers out of Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., began pushing for the expansion two years ago and continues to be one of its leading proponents. Thune said this week that the expanded training range could be another way to expand the missions at Ellsworth and strengthen the future of the base.

"The new financial servicing center at the base is great, but we're also looking for other military missions," Thune said. "This wouldn't be a red-flag training range, but it would be an opportunity to complement what's going on and cut down on the cost of training."

Red-flag training involves intensely realistic aerial combat simulation that can include live ammunition. The Powder River Training Complex does not use live ammunition.

But the expanded range and improved electronics training options would be crucial to national defense and the longevity of Ellsworth, Thune said. An improved range might one day fit in nicely with current work to improve Air Force targeting systems, he said.

"I'm not saying that would happen. But it's another example of what could happen if we can expand and improve the range out there," Thune said.

Ellsworth crews on Tuesday tested the Sniper advanced targeting pod in during a training mission with a B-1. The sensor-based system is designed to be more accurate in striking targets.

The series of meetings in South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota is part of a federal environmental impact statement process required before the expansion can occur. Thune said the comment period, through Aug. 4, is an opportunity for citizens in the area to learn more about the expansion and share their views. The first meeting is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, June 16, at the Rapid City Public Library.

"We've been pressing for this for quite a while," Thune said. "This is an important step forward in the process. And it suggests that the Air Force is very serious about this."

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com

Meeting schedule for Powder River Training Complex expansion

All meetings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

June 16 - Rapid City Public Library

June 17 - Community Center, Belle Fourche

June 18 - Crook County Public Library, Sundance, Wyo.

June 19 - Campbell County Fire Department, Gillette, Wyo.

June 20 - Sheridan Senior Center, Sheridan, Wyo.

June 23 - Hardin Chamber of Commerce, Hardin, Mont.

June 24 - Isabel Bills Community Learning Center, Colstrip, Mont.

June 25 - Miles Community College, Miles City, Mont.

June 26 - St. Joan of Arc Parish Hall, Ekalaka, Mont.

June 27 - Powder River County District High School, Broadus, Mont.

July 8 - Baker High School, Baker, Mont.

July 9 - City Hall, Bowman, N.D.

July 10 - Elgin Community Center, Elgin, N.D.

July 14 - Harding County Memorial Recreation Center, Buffalo, S.D.

July 15 - Bison School Cafeteria, Bison, S.D.

Additional meetings are being developed for the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Standing Rock and Cheyenne River reservations.