Ellsworth AFB in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Rockwell B-1B "Lancer"

South Dakato Air and Space Museum

— Ellsworth Air Force Base —

Rockwell-B-1B "Lancer" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2008

1. Rockwell-B-1B "Lancer" Marker

Inscription. The B-1A was initially developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the B-52. Four prototypes of his long –range, high speed strategic bomber were developed and tested but the program was canceled in 1977 before going into production. The B-1B is an improved variant initiated in 1981. The first production B-1B flew in October 1984 and the first B-1B was delivered to Dyess AFB, Texas in June 1985. The B-1B holds almost 50 world records for speed, payload, range, and time of climb in its class. The B-1B was first used in combat in support of operations against Iraq during Operation Desert Fox in December 1988. In 1999, six B-1s were used in Operation Allied Force, delivering more than 20 percent of the total ordnance while flying less than 2 percent of the combat sorties. Eight B-1s were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. B-1s dropped nearly 40 percent of the total tonnage during the first six months of OEF.

Specifications—Length: 146’; Height: 34’; Wingspan: 137’; Max Weight: 477,000 lbs; Powerplant: Four GE F-101-GE-102 turbofan engine with afterburner; Max Range: Intercontinental, unrefueled; Max Speed:

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900-plus mph; Ceiling: 30,000ft; Crew: Four; Armament: 24 GBU-31GPS aided JDAM or 24 MK-84 general purpose bombs.

On loan from the National Museum of the Air Force

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, Afghanistan. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1985.

Location. This memorial has been replaced by another memorial nearby. It was located near 44° 7.977′ N, 103° 4.36′ W. Memorial was in Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, in Pennington County. It was on Rushmore Drive. The marker is on the grounds of the South Dakota Air and Space Museum which is located at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Touch for map. Memorial was in this post office area: Ellsworth AFB SD 57706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial was in West River,

in the Badlands,

and in Greater Rapid City.

It was also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also

Rockwell-B-1B "Lancer" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2008

2. Rockwell-B-1B "Lancer"

the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: B1-B Lancer (here, next to this marker); B-1B Lancer (a few steps from this marker); HGM-25A Titan I (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named HGM-25A Titan I (within shouting distance of this marker); B-29 Superfortress (within shouting distance of this marker); FB-111A Aardvark (within shouting distance of this marker); VB-25J Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker); B-25 Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker).

Boeing B-52D "Stratofortress" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2008

3. Boeing B-52D "Stratofortress"

Boeing LGM-30F Minuteman II image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2008

4. Boeing LGM-30F Minuteman II

Beech C-45 "Expeditor" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2008

5. Beech C-45 "Expeditor"

North American F-100A "Super Sabre" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2008

6. North American F-100A "Super Sabre"

Western Electric Nike "Ajax" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2008

7. Western Electric Nike "Ajax"

General Dynamics FB-111A "Aardvark" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2008

8. General Dynamics FB-111A "Aardvark"

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 796 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 29, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.