Military Bases in South Dakota
Your unofficial field manual for South Dakota.
Air Force Bases
Ellsworth AFB
Located in Box Elder, South Dakota
Ellsworth AFB sits just outside Box Elder, South Dakota, serving as a key United States Air Force installation. Home to the 28th Bomb Wing and the B-1B Lancer, the base is known for its strategic bomber mission and robust training operations.
South Dakota’s Air Force Bastion
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to South Dakota, Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City is the state’s premier military hub, anchoring strategic bomber and missile operations. As one of only two B-1B Lancer bases in the U.S., Ellsworth drives South Dakota’s defense contributions. This guide to military bases in South Dakota offers insights into its role, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in the heart of the Great Plains.
Historical Legacy
South Dakota’s military history began with frontier forts and grew through global conflicts. Ellsworth Air Force Base, established in 1942 as Rapid City Army Air Base, trained B-17 Flying Fortress crews during WWII and was renamed in 1948 for Brig. Gen. Richard E. Ellsworth, killed in 1953, per Air Force records. It became a Minuteman missile hub in the 1960s, per. Sioux Army Depot, founded in 1942 near Sidney, stored 28 million ammunition items during WWII, closing in 1967, per. Fort Meade, established in 1878 near Sturgis, supported cavalry operations until its 1944 deactivation, now a VA hospital and National Guard site. These bases shaped South Dakota’s defense heritage.
Economic Impact
Ellsworth AFB is South Dakota’s economic powerhouse, employing 3,800 military and 1,000 civilian personnel, generating $350 million annually, and supporting 10,000 jobs in Rapid City, per Air Force data. Its 1,200 family housing units, commissary, and Navy Exchange (NEX) drive local commerce in Pennington County, while 8,000 retirees access base services, per. Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station in Sioux Falls employs 1,200, contributing $100 million, per state estimates. Camp Rapid in Rapid City sustains 500 National Guard jobs, supporting Black Hills businesses. For families, Ellsworth offers DoDDS schools (Douglas School District), TRICARE clinics, and MWR programs, including outdoor recreation near Mount Rushmore, per.
Key Military Facilities
Ellsworth Air Force Base (Rapid City): Hosts the 28th Bomb Wing with 27 B-1B Lancers and prepares for B-21 Raider integration (2026), plus the 90th Missile Wing’s 150 Minuteman III ICBMs, supporting 4,800 personnel.
Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station (Sioux Falls): Home to the 114th Fighter Wing, operating F-16C Fighting Falcons for air defense and NATO missions, with 1,200 personnel.
Camp Rapid (Rapid City): Headquarters for the South Dakota National Guard’s 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, training 500 personnel for disaster response and joint exercises.
Strategic Importance
Ellsworth AFB is a cornerstone of U.S. strategic deterrence. The 28th Bomb Wing’s B-1B Lancers conduct global strike missions, supported by 12,000 annual flight hours, and the base is the first to integrate the B-21 Raider, per Air Force plans for 2026. The 90th Missile Wing manages 150 Minuteman III launch facilities across three states, ensuring nuclear readiness, per. Joe Foss Field’s 114th Fighter Wing provides air defense for NORAD, deploying F-16s to Europe, per. Camp Rapid trains National Guard units for homeland security, hosting 2,000 annual trainees. Recent 2025 infrastructure upgrades, including a new B-21 hangar, reinforce Ellsworth’s role, per, despite unconfirmed drone incursion reports, per.
Notable Distinctions
Ellsworth Air Force Base, spanning 5,413 acres, is one of only two B-1B Lancer bases worldwide, hosting 4,800 personnel and the Air Force’s largest B-1B fleet (27 aircraft), per. It’s the lead base for B-21 Raider integration, a $5 billion program. Joe Foss Field is South Dakota’s only Air National Guard wing, named for Medal of Honor recipient Joseph J. Foss. Camp Rapid is the National Guard’s primary Midwest training site, with 500 personnel. Ellsworth’s 1,200 housing units, three DoDDS schools, and proximity to Badlands National Park offer unmatched quality of life for families.
U.S. service members on PCS to South Dakota or TDY in South Dakota will find mission-critical roles and a tight-knit community at Ellsworth AFB. From Rapid City’s Black Hills to Sioux Falls’ historic charm, South Dakota’s bases provide robust support, quality schools, and rich outdoor experiences for military families.