Celebrating 30 years: Retired colonel remembers arrival of first B-1B

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kedesha Pennant
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  "There's a love affair between the Abilene and Dyess community," said retired Col. Morton Langholtz as he reflected on the impact of the B-1B Lancer since its Abilene homecoming in 1985. This year marks the 30th anniversary of what Abilene called, The Evolution of Strategic Aviation.

Langholtz, the B-1 Site Activation Task Force commander from 1983-1985, was part of the team who helped bring the B-1 to Dyess logistically. The SATAF was comprised of a group of handpicked, commissioned and enlisted Airmen to act as the on-scene representatives for the B-1 systems program officer. The SATAF was the interface between the contractors, B-1 systems program officer and the base.

"Back then, there was a division at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, which was in charge of aircraft acquisitions," said Langholtz. "Each major acquisition, such as the B-1, was directed by a two-star general. This position was solely responsible for dealing with all the contractors of the aircraft or weapons system in order to bring it to fruition. The SATAF was the organization on base to command these entities."

Several contractors were responsible for the development of the B-1 including the construction and assembly of the aircraft, engines and offensive and defensive systems. As a result, many buildings were constructed to facilitate the aircraft and house its staff.

"We started way in advance to get all the buildings and facilities squared away, so when the aircraft arrived, everyone could get to work," Langholtz said. "Our function was to ensure operations went smoothly for operational use of the B-1 as soon as possible."

The excitement level was high in West Central Texas due to the news of the arrival of the B-1 on June 29, 1985.

"The interest in the B-1 was phenomenal," Langholtz said. "This part of Texas went bananas when news of the arrival circulated. With the excitement level so high, they wanted to know every single detail.

"Within three months, I spoke at every rotary, club and television news station from as far as Amarillo to Midland. The military and civilian relationship here was superb, as it still is now."

To say Abilene and area citizens welcomed the B-1 with open arms is an understatement, according to a June 1985 issue of Abilene Magazine. The magazine also stated that Abilene had welcomed the military so well that the base and community relationship was a 'modern-day legend.'

Langholtz retired two months before the B-1's arrival at Dyess and, coincidentally, went on to work for Eaton Corporation, one of the companies that contributed to the bomber. He still made sure to attend the ceremony to witness the arrival, though.
The retired colonel, along with an estimated 45,000 others, waited to see the Air Force's first new aircraft in 20 years.

"It was a thrill to be at the ceremony, and it's still a thrill to see and hear the bomber," Langholtz said. "Every time a B-1 flies overhead, I'm delighted to have been a part of a team that contributed to making this happen. It's still very close to my heart."

"I am amazed at what has been done to the B-1 over the years," Langholtz said. "Back then, it was a nuclear deterrent against Soviet Union defenses. It was never envisioned as a conventional capability in today's war; it's a versatile aircraft."  

Langholtz will be able to see the B-1 up close once again at the 2015 Dyess Big Country Airfest May 2-3, along with some of the newest aircraft in the Air Force.

Thirty years ago was only the beginning of the B-1 era, supported by the proud community of Abilene and West Central Texas. Since then, the B-1 has proven to be an indispensable force in support of combat operations as it continues to deploy today, flying missions daily.