Welcome to Ellsworth Air Force Base and South Dakota. We hope this assignment will be one of your best.

Ellsworth is 10 miles east of Rapid City, S.D. The relationship between Ellsworth and Rapid City is exemplified by Ellsworth's main entrance, constructed to symbolize a B-52 Strato fortress, one of the aircraft formerly flown by the 28th Bomb Wing. It was a gift from the citizens of Rapid City.

Many scenic sights surround Ellsworth. From the majestic Badlands to the east, to the Black Hills in the west and the grazing buffalo and mirror-image lakes in Custer State Park, this is a region of great natural beauty. Western South Dakota and the Black Hills region have many activities to offer people who enjoy nature and the outdoors: fishing, boating, snow and water skiing, hunting, hiking and camping. Within a short distance of Ellsworth is the Badlands with its many colors, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mountain, Fort Meade, historic Deadwood and Devil's Tower in Wyoming. The history of the Black Hills includes such legends as Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, General Custer, Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Jack "Crooked Nose" McCall.

Whatever the season, the Ellsworth and Rapid City communities can be a wonderful place to work and live.

Ellsworth's population of approximately 11,000 includes military members, family members and civilian employees. The base's sister city, Rapid City, has a population of just more than 62,500. There are also about 3,800 military retirees in Western South Dakota.

The base and Western South Dakota are on Mountain Standard Time.

For the purpose of securing non-government housing, personnel can take 10 days permissive TDY from their current base and return for out-processing, or take eight days after they check in with their new unit at Ellsworth. Contact your local personnel office and orderly room for details.