The US Air Force has been pushing for expansion of the airspace it can use for training in parts of four states.

The Powder River training area covers parts of South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota.

South Dakota Senator John Thune says the current training space is too small…

 

Thune says the Air Force has finished the environmental impact statement on the planned expansion…

 

Thune says the expansion is vital for the future of Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City…

 

Ranchers and other rural residents of that area have had concerns about low flying aircraft overhead.