Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Box Elder, South Dakota
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Ellsworth Air Force Base is located approximately 10 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota, in the Black Hills region, and was established in 1942 as Rapid City Army Air Base. The installation was renamed in 1953 in honor of Brigadier General Richard E. Ellsworth, who was killed in an aircraft accident. Ellsworth is home to the 28th Bomb Wing, one of the Air Force’s premier B-1B Lancer bomber units, and serves as a key component of Air Force Global Strike Command’s strategic bomber force.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Generate and project globally deployable B-1B Lancer combat power in support of Air Force Global Strike Command and joint force requirements.
• Major Units:
• 28th Bomb Wing (Air Force Global Strike Command) — host wing; B-1B Lancer
• 28th Operations Group
• 28th Maintenance Group
• 28th Mission Support Group
• 28th Medical Group
• 37th Bomb Squadron
• 34th Bomb Squadron
• Tenant Units: 114th Fighter Wing (South Dakota Air National Guard) — F-16 Fighting Falcon (based at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, but connected administratively); various small tenant organizations on Ellsworth proper

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Rapid City, South Dakota (approximately 10 miles west)
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), approximately 12 miles from main gate
• Gate Access: Main gate on Highway 90 operates 24/7; CAC or RealID required; visitor passes issued at Visitor Control Center; Box Elder Gate also provides access

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,600
• Family Members: Approximately 5,500
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,100
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 10,500

Key Facilities

• Medical: 28th Medical Group — primary care, dental, mental health, pharmacy, and aerospace medicine; specialty care referred to Rapid City Regional Hospital or Monument Health system in Rapid City
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary; serves the installation and retiree community; important for military families given the relative remoteness of the Black Hills region
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Main Exchange (BX) with retail, clothing, electronics, food court, shoppette, and gas station
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers, indoor and outdoor pools, Lodgepole Golf Course (18-hole), bowling center, outdoor recreation center with Black Hills activity rentals (camping, hiking, skiing gear), Club Ellsworth community center
• Schools: Douglas School District 51-1 serves children living on base; Meade School District and Rapid City Area Schools serve off-base families; no DoDEA school; Douglas schools are specifically tailored to serve the military community
• Childcare: Child Development Center on base; School-Age Care program; waitlists are common; register immediately upon receipt of PCS orders
• Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping, and care for military working dogs; privately owned animal appointments available on a space-available basis
• Legal Assistance / JAG: 28th Bomb Wing Judge Advocate; legal assistance by appointment; walk-in services for notary and powers of attorney; contact JAG office for current hours

Housing

• On-Base Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; approximately 1,300 family housing units in several neighborhoods; homes are generally well-maintained; range from 2 to 5 bedrooms; pet-friendly policies apply
• Average Wait Time: Varies by bedroom size; 2-3 bedroom units may have 1-4 month waits; larger homes can be shorter wait; highly variable based on current assignment season
• Off-Base Housing: Box Elder (adjacent), Rapid City (10 miles), Black Hawk, and Summerset; average rent for 3-bedroom home approximately $1,100-$1,700/month; Rapid City is slightly more expensive; housing market has grown with population increases
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Gaining unit assigns sponsors through unit first sergeant or orderly room; 28th Bomb Wing Airman & Family Readiness Center provides newcomer packets and relocation resources
• In-Processing: Report to Military Personnel Section upon arrival; in-processing typically takes 2-3 days; newcomers orientation includes overview of Black Hills area resources and base services
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through 28th Medical Group; enrollment required prior to PCS for families with special needs; Rapid City has a reasonable specialist network including Monument Health children’s services; contact EFMP coordinator early for pre-screening

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Semi-arid continental with significant temperature swings; cold winters with frequent snow (temperatures can drop well below 0 degrees F); warm summers (75-90 degrees F); Black Hills can receive heavy snowfall; generally low humidity
• Cost of Living: Low to moderate — South Dakota has no state income tax; housing and general living costs are below the national average; Rapid City is growing but remains affordable
• Nearby Attractions: Mount Rushmore National Memorial (25 miles), Badlands National Park (50 miles), Custer State Park, Black Hills National Forest, Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood (historic town), skiing at Terry Peak or Deer Mountain, numerous hiking and mountain biking trails
• Spouse Employment: Rapid City job market is moderate; healthcare (Monument Health), retail, tourism, and education are primary sectors; Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines provide educational opportunities; remote work options improving quality of life for professional spouses

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.ellsworth.af.mil
• Main Installation Phone: (605) 385-1000
• MWR Website: https://www.ellsworthforcesupport.com
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — (605) 385-4105; located in the Rushmore Center on base

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: www.ellsworth.af.mil, militaryinstallations.mil, Air Force Global Strike Command public affairs, AHRN housing data, DeCA commissary locator, Douglas School District 51-1