Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
MIM-3 Nike Ajax
The Army Helped Protect Ellsworth AFB
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. MIM-3 Nike Ajax Marker
Ten years into the Cold War, Ellsworth had hosted the nation's most effective heavy bombers—the B-29 and the B-36—and was readying for the B-52. For its protection, the U.S. Army installed a shield of anti-aircraft missiles around the base. If the Soviet Union sent bombers attacking over the North Pole, each of the rockets could reach as far as 30 miles away, delivering three warheads within 20 seconds.
The Army Antiaircraft Command
A Nike Ajax launch crew had 44 members, but there were often dozens more solders and technicians on site.
The US Army is responsible for surface-to-missiles.
DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 1,680
Crew · 44
Range · Local
Payload · 3 high-explosive warheads
Erected by South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold.
Location. 44° 7.999′ N, 103° 4.386′ W. Marker is in Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker and missile are on static display at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this
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: C-45H Expeditor (here, next to this marker); Duke Corning (a few steps from this marker); F-100A Super Sabre (within shouting distance of this marker); Interceptor Alert Hangar (within shouting distance of this marker); B-25 Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker); VB-25J Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker); B1-B Lancer (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rockwell B-1B "Lancer"
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. MIM-3 Nike Ajax Marker
Missile not visible to left of photo
Regarding MIM-3 Nike Ajax. 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 . . . Nike Ajax* (SAM-A-7) (MIM-3, 3A)** [US Army AMCOM]. (Submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
3. MIM-3 Nike Ajax
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 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
