Located in western South Dakota, close to the city of Rapid City, Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB) is a US Air Force base that has a long and distinguished history of serving the US Air Force and its mission. Established in 1941, the base was originally called Rapid City Army Air Base and was used to train bomber crews for World War II. The base was named in honor of Brigadier General Richard E. Ellsworth, a country doctor from South Dakota who was killed in action during the Korean War.

The base soon became a hub for B-17 and B-24 bomber training and was a major player in the US Air Force’s strategic air campaign against Japan. After the war, Ellsworth AFB continued to be used as an air base for a variety of aircraft, including bombers, fighters, and transport planes. The base was also used as a launching pad for many NASA missions, including the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

Today, Ellsworth AFB is home to the 28th Bomb Wing, which is responsible for the training and deployment of the B-1B Lancer Bomber and the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The base also serves as a training center for aircrews and air support personnel.

Ellsworth AFB’s airport code is RCA, which stands for Rapid City Air Force Base. The code was chosen in the late 1950s when the base was renamed. The base currently has approximately 20 flights per day from various airlines, including Delta, United, and American Airlines.

The base is also home to several museums, including the Ellsworth AFB Museum, which showcases the history of the base and its personnel, and the Ellsworth AFB Heritage Park, which highlights the base’s contribution to the US Air Force.

Ellsworth AFB is a major military installation in the US Air Force and has played a key role in many US operations and missions since its establishment. From training bomber crews to launching the Apollo 11 mission, Ellsworth AFB has a long and proud history of serving the US Air Force and its mission.