Air Force seeks to delay elimination of B-1 bomber units

Under pressure from legislators from Kansas, Georgia and Idaho, Air Force Secretary James Roche on Tuesday said he would seek to delay the proposed elimination of 33 B-1B bombers from National Guard units in those states.

During an appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roche apologized for the way the decision had been handled and promised to consult with senators from those states on future decisions.

"This is not something against the Guard. This is something for the B-1," Roche told Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., because the money saved from shutting down Guard operations would be used to bolster regular Air Force B-1 bomber squadrons in Texas and South Dakota.