Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
B-29 Superfortress
The Big Stick
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. B-29 Superfortress Marker
Theodore Roosevelt said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." In 1948, the Soviet Union stopped ground traffic to West Berlin. Speaking softly—with unarmed transports—the U.S. and its allies showed their resolve and ability to keep a city supplied with food and fuel for 15 months, entirely by air. To provide the "big stick," the 28th Bombardment Group deployed their B-29s to England, within striking distance of Moscow. They carried no nuclear bombs, but could Soviet spies be sure of that? The B-29s were a potent warning, ensuring that the Berlin Blockade ended peacefully.
A standard load in the bomb bay was forty 400-pound conventional bombs.
Top and Bottom [Photos]: On the B-29, gunners had computer-aided targeting and could control the guns remotely from different locations.
DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 360
Crew · 10
Range · Continental
Payload · Ten .50-cal. machine guns; 20mm cannon in tail; 20,000 lbs. of bombs
Erected by South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Peace • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. 44° 7.962′ N,
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: B-1B Lancer (within shouting distance of this marker); 4th Airborne Command Control Squadron (within shouting distance of this marker); EC-135 Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) (within shouting distance of this marker); B1-B Lancer (within shouting distance of this marker); LGM-30F Minuteman II (within shouting distance of
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. B-29 Superfortress and Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rockwell B-1B "Lancer" (was within shouting distance of this marker).
Regarding B-29 Superfortress. 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.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
3. B-29 Superfortress
Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
