Take an Aviation Vacation Steeped in History when you Visit the South Dakota Air and Space Museum and Ellsworth Air Force Base

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum is located in Box Elder and is known for its comprehensive collection of documents, artifacts, and airplanes from the Cold War. The museum is located just outside Ellsworth Air Force Base, which was a key player in the USA’s strategic defense plan. If you love Cold War aviation history, you’ll love visiting Box Elder, SD, and the air and space museum.

Start Your Aviation History Vacation by Flying Into Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)

Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is located eight miles southwest of Rapid City. Once you land and rent a car, Box Elder and the air force base are only a 15-minute drive away. The airport is open to the public and has two runways. Runway 14/32 is 8,701 feet long and 150 feet wide. Runway 05/23 is 3,601 feet long and 75 feet wide. Both runways are in good condition. Hangars and tiedowns are available, and the airport has 100LL and Jet-A. The airport also has major airframe and powerplant services and bottled oxygen.

Explore the South Dakota Air and Space Museum

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum is known for its importance during World War II and the Cold War, which lasted from about 1947 until 1991, when the Soviet Union dissolved. The museum is located right outside the front gate of Ellsworth Air Force Base. The museum accepts visitors from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM from Labor Day to the last day of May. During the spring and summer, the museum is open from 8:30 AM until 6 PM.

Once you arrive at the air and space museum, you’ll be treated to indoor and outdoor exhibits. There are more than 30 historic aircraft on the grounds. Some of the most popular include the B-1, B-52, and B-29. The site does note that the indoor exhibits could be closed for maintenance at any time, so it’s best to call ahead if you’re concerned about not being able to see the indoor displays.

Take a Tour of Ellsworth Air Force Base

Ellsworth Air Force Base offers tours to the public. However, you must notify the base at least 30 days, but no more than 90 days, in advance. This is because you’ll need to submit your first and last name, birthdate, driver’s license number and issuing state, and your phone number. That information has to be submitted for everyone in your group, and you won’t be allowed to tour until the 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs approves of your request. With that being said, if you have submitted your information and haven’t gotten a confirmation of the receipt of that information, you should call them. All tour participants must be at least 12 years old, and groups cannot number more than 40.

The tours start at 10 AM and run until 3 PM. Guests will be picked up at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.

Ellsworth Air Force Base History

Ellsworth Air Force Base got its start as an Army Air Base in 1942. The base’s goal was to train B-17 crews for deployment in Europe during World War II. By 1944, the base was being called the 225th Army Air Force Base Unit, and its goal had changed from training new multi-person crews to training individual replacements for the ongoing war in Europe.

In fact, the base’s name wasn’t formalized until 1953. Sadly, in that year, Brigadier General Richard Ellsworth and his crew were killed when their transport plane crashed in Newfoundland. In honor of Ellsworth’s many accomplishments, President Eisenhower dedicated the base to him and officially named it Ellsworth Air Force Base.

During the Cold War from 1947 until 1991, Ellsworth Air Force Base was essential. It had numerous missile wings that managed the ballistic missiles. In the 1950s, it was known for housing the B-36 Peacemaker and the B-52 Stratofortress. These two impressive bombers had the ability to carry their payloads anywhere in the world.

The B-36 Peacemaker had a maximum speed of 435 mph and a range of 10,000 miles. It could fly as high as 45,700 feet and carry up to 86,000 pounds of bombs. The B-52 Stratofortress had a range of 8,800 miles and a service ceiling of 50,000 feet. Its maximum speed was 650 mph, and it could carry a payload of up to 70,000 pounds.

In the 1960s, several missile wings were created that oversaw the base’s stock of missiles, including the Titan I and the Minuteman. These missiles were placed across South Dakota, and in total, there were more than 150 missile launch sites.

In 1962, a new missile wing was formed called the 44th Strategic Missile Wing. The new missile wing was stationed at Ellsworth and in charge of the Minuteman missiles. This continued until the early 90s, when the USSR was dissolved.

Visit the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

In addition to visiting the museum and Ellsworth Air Force Base, consider taking a trip to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, which is located at 24545 Cottonwood Road, Philip, SD 57567. From Ellsworth Air Force Base, it’s about a 50-minute drive. At its peak, there were thousands of missiles. However, that’s been reduced to a few hundred in recent times.

It’s important to note that the Minuteman Missile is still in the arsenal and ready to be deployed, if the need arises, but there is a bright side. These missiles, while capable of causing massive destruction, are kept in inventory as a deterrent for war.

Guided tours are available Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM. It’s important to note that they are closed on national holidays.

Great Places to Eat Near Ellsworth Air Force Base

If you’re looking for a good meal after visiting the air force base and museum, you’ll want to make the quick drive to Rapid City, which is home to a Taco Johns, Taco Bell, Scooter’s Coffee, Dakotah Steakhouse and Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews.

Dakotah Steakhouse

Dakotah Steakhouse is known for its amazing steaks. The menu includes nachos, Angus sliders, shrimp cocktails, salads, ribeyes, sirloins, cowboy steaks, strip loins, and filet mignons. They also serve French fries, baked potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and honey-glazed carrots. If you feel like a sandwich, you might try the grilled chicken breast, prime rib dip, or the bucking Bronco, which contains slow-braised beef and BBQ sauce.

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews offers an array of beers and hamburgers. The menu includes onion rings, tater tots, fried green beans, deviled eggs with bacon, nachos, boneless wings, and burgers of all types, from spicy jalapeno burgers to patty melts. If you’re really feeling adventurous, try their mac and cheese bowl or a mashed potato bowl. Their sides include waffle fries, tater tots, baked beans, coleslaw, and steamed vegetables. If you’re looking for a brew, they offer more than 50 beers on tap, including Sailfish Lager, Michelob Ultra, Yuengling Lager, Winter Lager, and Budweiser, among many others.

When you visit Box Elder and Rapid City, you’ll be treated to an aviation history vacation. Just don’t forget to stop into one of the local eateries to taste some truly delicious food. If you’re looking for more adventure, take a trip over to the Minuteman Missile Silos, like D-1 and D-9.