🇺🇸 Ellsworth Air Force Base

Ellsworth Air Force Base (IATA: RCA, ICAO: KRCA, FAA LID: RCA) is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located approximately 10 miles northeast of Rapid City, South Dakota, near Box Elder. It is a private-use military facility operated by the United States Air Force and controlled by Air Force Global Strike Command.

Notable Features and History:

• Established in 1941 as Rapid City Army Air Base, it served as a training location for B-17 Flying Fortress crews during World War II.
• The base was renamed in 1953 in memory of Brigadier General Richard E. Ellsworth, commander of the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, who died in an aircraft crash.
• It has hosted various aircraft throughout its history, including B-29 Superfortresses, B-36 Peacemakers, and B-52 Stratofortresses. The 28th Bomb Wing's B-1B fleet recently returned to the base.
• The base has a single concrete runway, 13/31, measuring 13,497 feet (4,113.8 meters).

Current Status: Ellsworth AFB is operational. It has an active construction notice. The control tower and approach/departure services have specific operating hours, and the base is closed on weekends, holidays, and Global Strike Command down days. Permission is required prior to landing. There is a high potential for mid-air collisions due to extensive general aviation and commercial traffic in the vicinity of Rapid City Regional Airport, located approximately 6.5 nautical miles southeast.

*Sources researched: nfdc.faa.gov, ellsworth.af.mil, airnav.com, en.wikipedia.org, eb.archive.org*