Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General William Fraser III this week discussed the proposed expansion of the Powder River military training air space and future aircraft options for the South Dakota Air National Guard and Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The expanded Powder River training area would span the corners of northwestern South Dakota, southwestern North Dakota and southeastern Montana. Now in its second year of review, the Air Force is to release the draft environmental impact statement next summer.

The Air Force expects to save $12 million to $15 million on fuel annually because of the air space's proximity to Ellsworth.

Thune, in a news release, said they also discussed replacing aging F-16 Air Guard fighters with another aircraft until the F-35A "Lightning II" is deployed. He and Fraser also talked about future missions at Ellsworth, such as the next-generation long-range bomber, which the Air Force expects to field by 2018.

Fraser was the wing commander at Ellsworth from February 1997 until May 1998.