As Col. Erick Lord prepares to assume command of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base later this month, his previous criticisms of the base’s culture have come under renewed scrutiny. In his role as the deputy commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Lord authored a report last year that was sharply critical of the organizational climate at Ellsworth, linking it to a B-1B Lancer crash.
Lord’s report, stemming from a January 2024 accident, highlighted what he described as “an unhealthy organizational culture that permitted degradation of airmanship skills.” This incident, which saw a B-1B crash just short of the runway, resulted in injuries to two crew members and extensive damage exceeding $456 million. The crash investigation led to significant leadership changes at the base, including the dismissal of Col. Mark Kimball, the then commander of the 28th Operations Group. The Air Force cited “a loss of trust and confidence” as the reason for Kimball’s removal, as detailed in an official statement.
Following the incident, additional leadership changes occurred, with Lt. Col. Carsten Stahr, commander of the 28th Force Support Squadron, also being relieved of his duties. Although the Air Force stated Stahr’s firing was unrelated to the accident, details regarding the decision remain undisclosed, as reported by Military.com.
The crash forced the relocation of several B-1B Lancers to Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, along with approximately 250 personnel needed for ongoing support and maintenance efforts, as the Ellsworth runway remained closed for nearly a month.
With over 2,600 flight hours to his name, including combat missions in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve, Lord is no stranger to the B-1 community. He previously served at Ellsworth as a flight commander and evaluator weapon systems officer with the 37th Bomb Squadron, bringing a wealth of experience back to the base.
Senior Airman Jo Pepin-Rust, an Ellsworth spokesperson, confirmed that leadership changes such as this are part of routine assignments. “His career is deeply rooted in the B-1 community, including a previous assignment at Ellsworth,” Pepin-Rust noted in an email to Military.com.
