28th BW South Dakota Air and Space Museum

09/14/2024

The Air Force is organizing its Major Commands into Institutional Commands & Service Component Commands as part of the service's for Great Power Competition initiative.

Learn more here:
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3900024/air-force-realigns-to-ensure-readiness-future-competitiveness/

09/14/2024

09/14/2024

🔥 A Soaring Thank You to Our FTEC Volunteers! 🔥

At the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, we’re over the moon with gratitude for the incredible volunteer efforts of FTEC 24-21. Your enthusiasm and hard work have truly lifted our spirits!

From helping clean the museum galleries to handling an old firehose with the skills of seasoned pros 😉 and transforming a couple of our massive aircraft into gleaming stars, you’ve shown that even the biggest challenges can be tackled with flair.

Watching you bring such energy and dedication to cleaning those planes was not only impressive but also a real joy for both our staff and visitors. You turned what could have been a mundane task into an engaging and memorable experience!

You help enhanced our museum both inside and out and made an impact in our community, creating a welcoming and vibrant environment for everyone who visits.

Thank you for your remarkable efforts and for adding an extra touch of fun to our mission. Here’s to more great work in your future! Congratulations FTEC 24-21!

(And we can't forget to also give our appreciation to Ellsworth Fire Department for helping with our fire hydrant pressure valves so we could use them for our aircraft and for letting us borrow a firehose! 🚒)

09/13/2024

Happy Friday the 13th from the South Dakota Air and Space Museum!

Today might be known for its superstitions and spooky vibes, but at our museum, we believe in turning any day into a flight of fun!

Did you know there are aviation superstitions? While the number 13 might get a bad rap, we’re here to prove that with a bit of humor and a lot of history, there’s no reason to fear this day. Our aviation and space exhibits have faced challenges head-on and come out soaring!

So, swing by our museum and see how the legends of aerospace exploration defy all odds. And who knows? You might find that a little bit of “bad luck” can lead to an exciting adventure!

09/13/2024

A big thank you to the incredible volunteers from Ellsworth's Airmen Leadership School! Your service-before-self spirit truly shone as you helped wash some of our many aerospace vehicles in the airpark this past Saturday - including the iconic B1-B Lancer!🙌✈️

And a special shoutout to those who brought their families along. It was fantastic to see the little ones enthusiastically dusting our indoor displays—your whole family’s involvement was heartwarming and a reminder of the community spirit that makes our museum thrive. ✨👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

We’re deeply grateful to all the different groups who have recently lent their hands to support our mission. Your collective efforts are vital in keeping our museum vibrant and our history alive. 🌟

Thank you all for your time, energy, and dedication. We couldn’t do it without you!

09/12/2024

✨️VISIT THE MUSEUM ON SIMULATOR SATURDAYS!!!✨️

THIS WEEK AT THE MUSEUM: Visit us this Saturday, September 14, during our business hours (10am-2pm) for our F-16 Flight Simulator!

*** This program runs every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month (excluding unforeseen circumstances). And visitors might also catch this exciting program on a few surprise days when our local Civil Air Patrol volunteers have some extra time! ***

09/11/2024

After the events of September 11, 2001, Team Ellsworth deployed a number of B-1B’s in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Aircraft from the 37th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth AFB joined additional B-1B’s from the 34th Bomb Squadron at Mountain Home AFB and formed the 28th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron. The squadron deployed to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and recorded an impressive record against terrorist factions.

09/11/2024

9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

Today we observe Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance. It’s a time to reflect on the profound impact of that day, honor the bravery of first responders, and the resilience and unity that followed.

We encourage you to mark this day by engaging in acts of service and kindness, paying tribute to those who sacrificed so much. Whether through volunteering, supporting local causes, or simply lending a helping hand.

Together, let’s remember, reflect, and renew our commitment to making a positive impact.

09/11/2024

🚀✈️ Month of Caring Highlights at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum! ✈️🚀

We are thrilled to share that our museum is a proud project site for the United Way of the Black Hills 2024 Month of Caring! This incredible initiative brought us together with 27 amazing volunteers! We want to give a massive shoutout to the South Dakota Army National Guard aviation section for their outstanding efforts!

Over the past two days, our Airpark has seen some serious TLC thanks to these dedicated volunteers. From washing our historic aircraft to bird-proofing and pulling weeds, their hard work ensures our museum remains a beautiful and welcoming space for all. 🛠️

📸 Check out the photos of our volunteers in action – their commitment and teamwork are truly inspiring. It's community collaborations like these that make a huge difference and keep our mission soaring high. 🙌

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone involved! Your support and dedication are greatly appreciated. Let’s continue to work together to preserve and celebrate the rich history of South Dakota aviation and space exploration. 🌠

09/10/2024

This Boeing B-1B Lancer on display in the Cold War Gallery arrived at the museum from the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, on Sept. 10, 2002.

The B-1B's blended wing/body configuration, variable-geometry design and turbofan engines combined to provide greater range and high speed -- more than 900 mph (Mach 1.2) at sea level. Forward wing settings were used for takeoff, landing and high-altitude maximum cruise. Aft wing settings were used in high subsonic and supersonic flight, which also enhanced the aircraft's maneuverability.