ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — You may have noticed some heavier aircraft over the Black Hills this week. The KC-135 and KC-46 are flying in and out of Ellsworth Air Force Base during Combat Raider. The “KC” designation identifies both jets as tankers. They help the fighters and bombers...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota’s Civil Air Patrol youth encampment, a week-long training program hosted at Camp Rapid, has ended early after five participants tested positive for COVID-19. The five that tested positive were all under the age of 20 and had been sleeping as a cohort in the...

ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. — You may have already heard the roar over Rapid City Tuesday morning – the sound of our military taking flight on day one of Combat Raider. The increased jet activity, proceeding as expected, as Ellsworth conduct’s it’s annual exercise. Pilots are here from across the United...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — 120 golfers turned out for the third annual “Tee It Up for the Troops” Tournament at the Arrowhead Golf Club on Monday. The tournament began with a ceremony honoring veterans from World War II through Enduring Freedom, as well as active-duty service members. It has doubled...

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — The 28th Bomb Wing will conduct a major fuel spill exercise on Wednesday, July 14. The exercise will evaluate the ability to quickly respond to a major fuel spill and mitigate potential environmental impacts. Residents on base and in surrounding areas can be expected...

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan will conclude on Aug. 31. He says “speed is safety” as the United States seeks to end the nearly 20-year war. Biden spoke Thursday to update his administration’s ongoing efforts to wind down the U.S. war in...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The arrival of the B-21 Raider will bring thousands of airmen and their families to Ellsworth Air Force Base. Multiplying the size of the Box Elder community and providing growth opportunity for businesses in the Black Hills. But that growth is coming in the midst of an...

WASHINGTON — The B-21 Raider, a nuclear-capable strike-stealth bomber coming first to Ellsworth Air Force Base, will clock-in around $639-million-dollars per aircraft, according to a U.S. Air Force fact sheet released Tuesday. “Nuclear modernization is a top priority for the Department of Defense and the Air Force, and B-21 is...

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — At the end of June, Ellsworth’s 28th Security Forces Squadron became the first unit in the Air Force Global Strike Command to receive a new type of M4 rifle. The M4A1 Carbine rifles will replace older models and boast a single-side safety and three-round...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Developers, legislators and all those in between were at the Ascent Innovation Center Friday to discuss solutions to the housing crisis in the area. The construction companies around the area, along with contractors and developers are coming up with solutions for a population of about 7,000...

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — U.S. officials say the American military has left Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan after nearly 20 years. The facility was the epicenter of the war to oust the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaida perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America. Two officials say the airfield...

FALL RIVER COUNTY, S.D. — Nine years ago Thursday, a C-130 from North Carolina Air National Guard’s 145th Airlift Wing crashed in Fall River County, killing four airmen and injuring two more. The tanker and crew was helping battle the White Draw Fire near Edgemont when a microburst of turbulent...

UPDATE (6/29/21 @ 4:00 p.m.): SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she will use a donation from a Republican donor to fund a deployment of up to 50 South Dakota National Guard troops to the U.S. border with Mexico. Noem joins a growing list of...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — A great turnout for the annual National Guard Picnic at Camp Rapid concluded what signifies the wind down of the Golden Coyote Exercise. Several hundred military men and women coming together and enjoying their food after a long week of strenuous work. Many armed forces members...

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — A military aircraft training exercise is set to begin July 19 in the Powder River Training Complex. Combat Raider provides joint and coalition flight training, including realistic threat scenarios. Residents on base, in surrounding communities, and across the Powder River Training Complex can expect...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Training in military exercises, like the Golden Coyote, is hard enough – but a partnership between Army and Navy Reserve units is adding another element. The EMF Navy Reserve Unit from Jacksonville, Florida, and the 210th Regional Support Group from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, working in unison....

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — The Crow Native Days cultural festival will honor veterans on Friday, June 25 with a special Veteran’s Recognition Event. A B-1 bomber from the 28th Bomb Wing will perform a flyover at the ceremony as part of an approved training mission. Residents living near...

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — A change in leadership and familiar face returning to Ellsworth Air Force Base. Colonel Joseph Sheffield returning to the base after a stint as commander of the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Sheffield previously served with the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons in...

SPEARFISH, S.D. — The Spearfish Honor Guard will be recognized as the Parade Marshalls for the 21st annual Spearfish Fourth of July Parade. The Guard has around 20 members who volunteer their time around the Northern Black Hills by serving as the guard at veteran’s funeral services, conducting flag ceremonies,...

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – A new pair of hands will be at the helm of the world’s largest B-1 bomber combat wing as of Friday morning. Col. Joseph Sheffield is scheduled to take command of the 28th Bomb Wing during a special ceremony. Sheffield is no stranger to...