Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
F-102A Delta Dagger
Partners in the Cold War: The Air National Guard
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. F-102A Delta Dagger Marker
Interceptors like the F-102-and the F-101 to your left- defended the nation's borders against aerial attack. The Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard were vital to this mission. Crews from 23 different Guard squadrons flew and maintained Delta Daggers between 1960 and 1977. In "the Deuce," they could tap into the Air Force's ground-based computerized radar system to track possible Soviet intruders.
"On-board radar searched for the target, but it was up to the pilot to locate it, select the appropriate armament, lock on to it and fly the plane to the release point. The pilot was also responsible to retain the attack in spite of radar jamming, dispensing chaff and to switch to alternative modes should it be necessary"
-Roger Pile. quoted by Dario Leone in The Aviationist, 17 August 2014.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Whether you're a B-1B pilot or an astronaut, you have to fly to keep your skills sharp. In the 1960s, America's first astronauts—all expert test pilots—practiced in F-102s. While preparing for his 1961 space flight, Lt Col Gus Grissom flew the F-102 in front of you.
Early astronauts also flew
this page online
South Dakota's 175th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron protected the skies over the central U.S. and Canada.
The threat was real. Interceptors monitored Soviet Bear bombers in international airspace.
DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 825
Crew · 1
Range · Continental
Payload · 6 air-to-air missiles, 24 folding-fin aerial rockets; Falcon nuclear missiles
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 1960.
Location. 44° 7.993′ N, 103° 4.334′ 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
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. F-102A Delta Dagger and Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: F-101B Voodoo (a few steps from this marker); VB-25J Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker); B-25 Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker); B1-B Lancer (within shouting distance of this marker); Interceptor Alert Hangar (within shouting distance of this marker); F-100A Super Sabre (within shouting distance of this marker); B-1B Lancer (within shouting distance of this marker); F-86H Sabre (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rockwell B-1B "Lancer" (was within shouting distance of this marker).
Regarding F-102A Delta Dagger. 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. F-102A Delta Dagger
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. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
