Ellsworth Air Force Base
Ellsworth Air Force Base

Author: Joseph T. Page II

Publisher: Arcadia Publishing

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 1467106941

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Rapid City Army Air Base was constructed in 1942 and used as a training location for B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber aircrews throughout the duration of World War II. After the war, the newly renamed Rapid City Air Force Base (AFB) led the nation's strategic bombardment force, deploying B-29 Superfortresses to Britain during the Berlin Blockade and later flying the B-36 Peacemaker heavy bomber. In 1953, Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed the base for Brig. Gen. Richard E. Ellsworth, who was killed during a mission over Burgoyne's Cove, Newfoundland. From 1960 to 1994, Ellsworth AFB was a Strategic Air Command superbase containing two legs of the American Strategic Nuclear Triad--heavy bomber aircraft (B-52 Stratofortresses and B-1B Lancers) and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (Titan and Minuteman). Today, the personnel at Ellsworth AFB continue to build upon the storied legacy of the South Dakota base, projecting American airpower around the world.

Thunder Over Dakota
Thunder Over Dakota

Author: George A. Larson

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 9780764342639

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This complete history of Ellsworth Air Force Base tells the story of the base, units, and personnel that have been defending the United States for over seventy years, and traces the proud heritage of this South Dakota military facility beginning in World War II. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, Convair B-36 Peacemakers, and Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers have all stood at the ready on Ellsworth's runway. The current bomber out of Ellsworth is the B-1B Lancer, flown by the 28th Bomb Wing who continues to defend America now and into the future. ILLUSTRATIONS: 500 colour and b/w illustrations