The 44th Missile Wing was established at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1962. Its job was to maintain and, if necessary, operate the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile systems and launch facilities established in some 150 locations around Western South Dakota.
The clip below describes the construction of facilities and the evolution of the 44th Missile Wing's mission during the twenty-year period between 1962 and 1982. (The 44th was deactivated in 1994.)
The film and images in the above clip were provided by Historical Footprints, Inc. of Lead, South Dakota. The clip is a segment of a longer program written and directed by Lt. Robert Carver and Sgt. David Hancock, "Ellsworth Air Force Base: A Proud History."
OTHER MEDIA
Related entry: Ellsworth Air Force Base, 1942-1957