Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Interceptor Alert Hangar
Even the Building is Historic
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. Interceptor Alert Hangar Marker
Our museum building was originally an alert hangar complex near the Ellsworth Air Force Base runway. It held crews and jet fighters of the 54th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. During the Cold War, Soviet bombers probed American and Canadian airspace along our Arctic border. Airmen at Ellsworth drilled for rapid response to this threat. When an alarm sounded, crews dashed out from their quarters to open the counter-weighted doors. Pilots taxied straight out of the hangar for takeoff.
Crews on alert stayed in quarters in the center section, close to their armed and fueled interceptors.
Ellsworth was one of two bases defending South Dakota; the Air National Guard has had a squadron at Sioux Falls since 1952.
F-89 Scorpions carried Genie nuclear air-to-air rockets like the one on display inside the museum.
Erected by South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.
Location. 44° 8.004′ N, 103° 4.368′ W. Marker is in Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in Pennington County.
this page online
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: F-100A Super Sabre (here, next to this marker); B-25 Mitchell (a few steps from this marker); VB-25J Mitchell (a few steps from this marker); MIM-3 Nike Ajax (within shouting distance of this marker); Duke Corning (within shouting distance of this marker); B1-B Lancer (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); South Dakotans Killed in Action in Afghanistan (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. Interceptor Alert Hangar Marker
Right marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rockwell B-1B "Lancer" (was within shouting distance of this marker).
Regarding Interceptor Alert Hangar. 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.
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 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
