Ground Breaking

A ground-breaking was held for the new Digital Airport Surveillance Radar site on Radar Hill Road, June 25. The DASR will control all civilian and military aircraft in and out of Rapid City Redional Airport and Ellsworth, and has the potential to feed air traffic radar pictures to Denver Center and the National Air Traffic Control structure. Those who broke ground were (from left to right) Col. Buck Shawhan, 28th Operations Group commander, Tanya Shepper of Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin's office, Darrel Shoemaker of Sen. Tim Johnson's office, Col. Renita Alexander, 28th Mission Support Group commander, Qusi Al-Haj of Sen. John Thune's office, Sandy Fisher, director of the School of Mines and Technology business services and Col. Peter Castor, 28th Bomb Wing vice commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kasey Zickmund)

Ellsworth breaks ground on new RAPCON facility

Published June 27, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Eric Bolt
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Ellsworth broke ground June 25 for a new radar system south of the base on Radar Hill Road. This system will be used with the Dakota Air Traffic Control Facility.

"As the Federal Aviation Administration continues to require upgrades and advances in the equipment required to ensure safe airspace, the equipment used by Ellsworth is fast approaching a mandatory upgrade," said 1st Lt. Nathan Willis, 28th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight commander.

The modern digital radar will aid controllers by eliminating ground clutter and displaying multiple levels of precipitation. It will also help address maintenance and parts challenges, while increasing Ellsworth's capabilities to control more airspace in Rapid City and other locations in South and North Dakota.

"Along with other advantages, the new system will allow us to work air traffic more efficiently into Rapid City Regional Airport," Lieutenant Willis said. "We will be able to accommodate an increased amount of arrivals and departures than our current capabilities can handle."

Construction of the new radar is scheduled to be completed by 2009.