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  • Honoree's career spans 32 years, three wars

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 23.2 million veterans living in the United States in 2008. Out of that number, a mere 92,000 people had consecutively served in World War II, the Korean War and the war in Vietnam. Retired Lt. Col. Donald Smith is one of those few.Born in 1922, Smith

  • Fighter mission vital part of EAFB history

    While most recognize Ellsworth as being home to the Air Force's Fairchild Trophy winning bomb wing, many may not realize it was also home to a squadron of F-86D Sabre Dog fighters in 1954.After World War II, the base briefly trained weather reconnaissance and combat squadrons using P-61 Black Widow,

  • Historic program took brave crews to lofty heights

    While Ellsworth's achievements over the base's 70-year history are widely recognized, few may know that Rapid City played a significant role in aviation history before the base even existed.The U.S. Army Air Corps and the National Geographic Society teamed up to test the limits of science and human

  • Family, friends plant tree in memory of fallen Airman

    Kneeling quietly beside a small tree, Erin Berky gently packed the soil, as thoughts of her husband and best friend rambled through her mind. His smile, his touch, his kiss, his voice. All taken away too soon.Erin was joined by more than 30 friends and family during a private gathering on M Hill at

  • Titan I missiles put Ellsworth on nuclear map

    There have been a variety of missions accomplished at Ellsworth, over the past 70 years, each an important part of sustaining our nation's defense.When the United States enhanced its nuclear arsenal with the creation of the Titan I intercontinental ballistic missile in the early 1960s, Ellsworth

  • Col. Hiss flies final B-1 mission

    Col. Steven Hiss, 28th Bomb Wing vice commander, flew his final B-1 mission Thursday, June 7, 2012, a fitting bookend to his 26 years as a professional aviator.The atmosphere on the flight line was bittersweet as Hiss was congratulated and thanked by family and friends after stepping down from a B-1

  • Remembering the Rapid City 1972 flood

    "I didn't anticipate how serious the flood would eventually be. We broadcasted the warning through local radio stations, but it wasn't more than 30 minutes later when the radio stations lost power and we were left without any means to warn our people." That stark realization hit Donald Barnett, then

  • New deployment center increases process efficiency

    After more than two years of anticipation and hard work, the new $16.8 million deployment center at Ellsworth was completed May 16, 2012. The systems and processes in the new facility were put to the test May 10, 2012, when Ellsworth Airmen processed through the center prior to Green Flag, a combat

  • Community leaders get peek behind the security curtain during forum

    Four Rapid City community leaders had the opportunity to participate in the 59th annual National Security Forum from May 7 to 11, 2012, at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and received an up-close review of our nation's security processes and operations. The invitation-only forum

  • Reflecting on Ellsworth’s past

    It was early 1943. Our country, as well as the rest of the world, was neck deep in turmoil and uncertainty. It was also the time when Chicago native Art Juhlin, like many other young Americans, raised his right hand and entered the U.S. Army Air Corps. "I had originally joined the Air Force to