Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
F-100A Super Sabre
The Misty FAC Missions
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. F-100A Super Sabre Marker
In 1967, a group of F-100 pilots in Vietnam adopted the call sign Misty and tried something new. They became Forward Air Controllers (FACs). This job of flying low to mark targets was usually done by much slower planes, like our O-2 Skymaster. The "Fast FACs" could work in areas that were too dangerous for slower planes.
MAJ GEN LEIGHTON PALMERTON
A graduate of Rapid City High School, Palmerton's career included 200 combat missions in F-100s. He commanded the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron just before they began the first Misty FAC missions over Vietnam. Before retiring in 1984, he served in leadership positions at the Pentagon.
General Palmerton's awards included the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Portable hot-seeking missiles were a particular danger to the slower FACs.
FACs fire white phosphorus rockets to mark targets with smoke.
DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 860
Crew · 1
Range · Continental
Payload · Four 20mm cannons, two Bulldog missiles
four Sidewinder missiles, rockets, or a maximum of
7,000 lbs. of bombs.
Erected by South Dakota Air
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold • War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.
Location. 44° 8.004′ N, 103° 4.369′ W. Marker is in Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker and aircraft are on static display at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2890 Davis Drive, Ellsworth AFB SD 57706, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West River, in the Badlands, and in Greater Rapid City. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Interceptor Alert Hangar (here, next to this marker); B-25 Mitchell (a few steps from this marker); VB-25J Mitchell (a few steps from this marker);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. F-100A Super Sabre Marker
Left marker
Regarding F-100A Super Sabre. Although an official field museum of the US Air Force Heritage Program and is adjacent to Ellsworth AFB main gate, the museum does not require access onto the base.
Also see . . . Misty Unofficial History. (Submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
3. F-100A Super Sabre
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
