OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AP) — The flood-damaged U.S. Air Force base south of Omaha has reopened its runway to aircraft. The Omaha World-Herald reports that some of the nine aircraft flown from Offutt Air Force Base to other bases returned Thursday, once it was determined that the flooding didn’t damage the runway and taxiways. Other aircraft had been towed to higher ground.

Earlier this month Missouri River floodwaters breached one levee and overtopped another near the sprawling complex, flooding the southeastern third. The water inundated nearly 80 buildings and covered more than a quarter of the runway. On Wednesday Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said the Air Force needs $4.9 billion in extra funding over the next three years to rebuild and repair Offutt and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, which sustained hurricane damage last fall.