“The Star of Abilene”, four decades later
The end of June 2025 will mark the 40th anniversary of the first operational B-1B Lancer arrival at Dyess AFB near Abilene (TX).
The event forty years ago gave more to the history of the B-1 bomber. The "first" Star of Abilene did not actually make it’s debut at Dyess. Initial, the USAF and Rockwell had intended to bring the second built, and first operational B-1B, with serial number 83-0065, officially named “The Star of Abilene”, to Dyess to be inducted by the 96th Bombardment Wing.
Because of technical problems, that did not happen. The first B-1B built bomber, with serial number 82-0001, which was assigned to the Test Wing at Edwards AFB (CA), became the "second" Star of Abilene instead. Adorned with the 96th BW badge, and painted the "Star of Abilene", 82-0001 flew from Edwards towards Dyess with the decal ripped partway off because it had not the time to be fixed the normal way. Strikingly, at that moment, nobody noticed the swap.
Since 2015, following the alignment of 7th BW to Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), the B-1B supported continuous bomber presence missions from three European operating locations until the establishment of Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions in 2018. BTF operations involve regular and routine deployment of AFGSC’s bomber forces worldwide to demonstrate readiness, enhance deterrence and support allied integration and National Defense Strategy objectives. During its support to BTFs, the B-1B has certified new airfields for hot-pit refueling and B-1 operations.
The "first" Star of Abilene (83-0065), was retired to the Dyess Linear Air Park for display inside the Dyess AFB main gate following her final flight on 1 March 2003. The "second" Star of Abilene (82-0001), real name "First of the fleet", eventually was flown from Edwards to Ellsworth AFB (SD) where it became a weapons-loading trainer during August 1988. Later it was dismantled to comply with Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) in May 1995. Only the front fuselage (cockpit) survived (current whereabouts are unknown).
The 96th Bombardment Wing was inactivated in 1993 and its mission, personnel and equipment were transferred to the 7th Bomb Wing which is currently residing at Dyess. It is expected that Dyess will receive the B-21 Raider in due time.
Credit photo: 1985 event / information: USAF and Scramble Database