Airport
Ellsworth Air Force Base (RCA)
Ellsworth Air Force Base (RCA) is a United States Air Force installation serving Rapid City and the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The military airfield supports base personnel and mission-related travel, with onward connections available to Rapid City, Box Elder, and nearby attractions such as Mount Rushmore.
Passengers
Luggage
About Ellsworth Air Force Base
Ellsworth Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation near Rapid City, South Dakota, and the home of the 28th Bomb Wing and its B-1B Lancer fleet. The base serves as a key military airfield for strategic bomber operations, training, and air mobility missions in the northern Great Plains region.
The installation traces its history to 1942, when it opened as Rapid City Army Air Base. It was renamed Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1953 in honor of Brigadier General Richard E. Ellsworth, and it remains an important part of the nation's long-range strike and strategic deterrence missions.
Located about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of downtown Rapid City in the Box Elder area, the base sits near Interstate 90 and the Black Hills region, including Mount Rushmore. Road access connects the installation to Rapid City, Box Elder, and surrounding communities.
Ellsworth Air Force Base is a restricted military installation rather than a public commercial airport. The AMC passenger terminal supports eligible military Space-Available and mission-related travel, while most civilian air travel in the region is served by Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). The nearby South Dakota Air and Space Museum offers public access to the area's aviation heritage.
Terminal Overview
Terminals
Ellsworth Air Force Base functions as a United States Air Force military airfield rather than a conventional commercial airport. Passenger operations are centered on the base's Air Mobility Command (AMC) passenger terminal, which handles eligible military Space-Available and mission-related travelers, while airfield infrastructure primarily supports the 28th Bomb Wing and B-1B Lancer operations.
Ground Transportation Services to and from Ellsworth Air Force Base
Transfers
Arrange private transfers to and from Ellsworth Air Force Base for authorized personnel, visiting officials, and travelers continuing to Rapid City, Box Elder, or Black Hills destinations.
Hourly Chauffeur
Book an hourly chauffeur for flexible travel from Ellsworth Air Force Base to meetings, events, or sites around Rapid City and the Black Hills region.
Car Rental
Rent a car for independent travel from Ellsworth Air Force Base to Rapid City, Mount Rushmore, and other destinations across western South Dakota.
Bus & Group Transfers
Organize minibuses or charter buses for groups traveling between Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, event venues, and Black Hills area destinations.
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