Dyess Air Force Base began the process of relocating its planes and crews back to Texas from Ellsworth Air Force Base on Wednesday.

Two B-1B Lancer bombers and an undisclosed number of airmen from Dyess left Ellsworth on Wednesday morning, according to Staff Sgt. Shanda De Anda of the Ellsworth public-affairs office.

More than 550 airmen and 20 B-1 bombers had been relocated to Ellsworth temporarily while 6,600 feet of runway at Dyess was repaired. The crews and planes arrived in mid-September and will likely be completely gone from Ellsworth by early next week, according to De Anda.

She said the B-1s and airmen will leave gradually over the next several days and into next week.

The Dyess crews were able to stay sharp while at Ellsworth, according to Col. Timothy Ray, commander of Dyess's 7th Bomb Wing.

"Readiness and training for the B-1 and C-130 crews and support personnel are critical due to their significant role in the global war on terror, and we were able to sustain our readiness and training thanks to the tremendous teamwork between Ellsworth, Dyess and Abilene," he said.

De Anda said the Ellsworth and Dyess members appreciate the support of the local community during the increased numbers at Ellsworth.

She said the construction at Dyess had been scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving but was finished ahead of schedule.