Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
HGM-25A Titan I
One Step Away from War
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. HGM-25A Titan I Marker
Only 17 days after the Titan missiles in South Dakota were declared operational in the fall of 1962, an Air Force pilot photographed Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, 90 miles from U.S. shores. Ten days after that, the missile force went to DEFCON 2, one level away from the start of nuclear war. Ellsworth Airmen who had started their new duties only months before were prepared to fire nuclear missiles on the president's command. After secret negotiations, backed by American resolve, the Soviets backed down.
You can see the U.S. spy plane's shadow in this photo of a Soviet ship delivering nuclear missiles to Cuba.
General Curtis LeMay and USAF reconnaissance pilots met with President Kennedy.
While President John F. Ready described the situation to a television audience, the Armed Forces rose to DEFCON 3 alert status.
DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 15,000
Crew · 6
Range · Intercontinental
Payload · 1.4-3.75 megaton nuclear warhead
Erected by South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold. In addition, it
this page online
Location. 44° 7.972′ N, 103° 4.339′ 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 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 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: A different marker also named HGM-25A Titan I (here, next to this marker); FB-111A Aardvark (here, next to this marker); YT-38 Talon (a few steps from this marker); B1-B Lancer (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. HGM-25A Titan I and Marker
Right marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rockwell B-1B "Lancer" (was within shouting distance of this marker).
Regarding HGM-25A Titan I. 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. HGM-25A Titan I
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
