Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
UH-1F Iroquois
Helicopter Rescue in War and Peacetime
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. UH-1F Iroquois Marker
Air Force UH-1F pilots put in their time rescuing and evacuating troops in Vietnam in the 1960s. But the rescue work didn't end when their squadrons returned to stateside bases. In the summer of 1972, floodwaters poured out of the Black Hills into Rapid City and nearby towns. Along with hundreds of other Airmen from Ellsworth, "Huey" crews responded with all available helicopters. They rescued 14 people and transported another 230 to safety.
MISSILES GUARD THE U.S. BUT WHO GUARDED THE MISSILES?
Until 1994, Ellsworth Airmen controlled nuclear missile launch facilities spread out over 2,700 square miles. Helicopters were essential to patrolling that vast area. Missiles moving in or out of their hardened silos always had a helicopter convoy escort from Detachment 2, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.
LEFT: Nuclear weapons convoys are heavily defended on the ground and in the air.
RIGHT: Harlan Nupen of Rapid City flew 1,500 combat missions in Vietnam and flew search and rescue during the 1972 flood.
The 1972 flood killed 238 people and injured 3,000. Five thousand automobiles were destroyed.
Ellsworth
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DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 135
Crew · 2-3
Range · Local
Payload · 3,880 pounds, including 14 troops or 6 stretchers
Erected by South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters • War, Cold • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota Air and Space Museum series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 10, 1972.
Location. 44° 8.008′ N, 103° 4.301′ W. Marker is in Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker and helicopter 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
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. UH-1F Iroquois and Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: C-131D Samaritan (a few steps from this marker); F-84F Thunderstreak (a few steps from this marker); T-33A Shooting Star (a few steps from this marker); O-2A Skymaster (a few steps from this marker); F-105B Thunderchief (a few steps from this marker); C-47 Skytrain (within shouting distance of this marker); A-26A/B-26K Counter Invader (within shouting distance of this marker); F-101B Voodoo (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Regarding UH-1F Iroquois. 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 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
