Welcome to Ellsworth Air Force Base and South Dakota. We hope this assignment will be one of your best.

Ellsworth is 10 miles east of Rapid City, S.D. The relationship between Ellsworth and Rapid City is exemplified by Ellsworth's main entrance, constructed to symbolize a B-52 Stratofortress, one of the aircraft formerly flown by the 28th Bomb Wing. It was a gift from the citizens of Rapid City.

Many scenic sights surround Ellsworth. From the majestic Badlands to the east, to the Black Hills in the west and the grazing buffalo and mirror-image lakes in Custer State Park, this is a region of great natural beauty. Western South Dakota and the Black Hills region have many activities to offer people who enjoy nature and the outdoors: fishing, boating, snow and water skiing, hunting, hiking and camping. Within a short distance of Ellsworth is the Badlands with its many colors, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mountain, Fort Meade, historic Deadwood and Devil's Tower in Wyoming. The history of the Black Hills includes such legends as Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, General Custer, Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Jack "Crooked Nose" McCall. Whatever the season, the Ellsworth and Rapid City communities can be a wonderful place to work and live.

Population
Ellsworth's population of approximately 8,000 includes military members, family members and civilian employees. The base's sister city, Rapid City, has a population of just more than 62,500. There are also about 3,800 military retirees in Western South Dakota.

Time Zone
The base and Western South Dakota are on Mountain Standard Time.

House Hunting, Permissive TDY
For the purpose of securing non-government housing, personnel can take 10 days permissive TDY from their current base and return for out-processing, or take eight days after they check in with their new unit at Ellsworth. Contact your local personnel office and orderly room for details.

Income Tax Tips
There are income tax advantages associated with moving costs. Keep records and receipts on all expenses associated with a move (travel expenses, meals and lodging, meals and lodging while occupying temporary quarters, expenses attributable to the sale, purchase or lease of a residence, etc.). Upon completing a move, see your organization's legal assistance officer who will help in preparing the proper tax forms. Many or most are deductible by using IRS Forms 3903 or 3903F. Additionally, South Dakota does not have state income tax for residents.

In-Processing
This begins at your unit; service members should report, with their sponsor, to the Rushmore Center and the 28th Forces Support Squadron customer service office upon arrival. Personnel will be in-processed through the Right Start program, a mandatory briefing for all newly arrived service members designed to minimize the time and appointments needed to bring them into the base and organization quickly. Spouses es.Weapons should be unloaded and locked in the trunk of the vehicle, if possible. Firearms transported in vehicles without trunks must be secured in a case. are welcome at Right Start and encouraged to attend. Right Start is located at the Rushmore Center, 1000 Ellsworth St., Suite 1400. Bring all no-fee passports you may have if coming from an overseas location.

Household Goods Shipment Information
Upon arrival, check with the Traffic Management Office regarding household goods or hold baggage shipped to Ellsworth.

Vehicle Registration
There is no requirement for vehicles to be registered at Ellsworth; however, all vehicles must have a valid state registration and be insured. Vehicle Safety—Rules of the Road Generally, all rules of the road applicable to the operation of a motor vehicle on South Dakota roads apply on Ellsworth. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on Ellsworth is 25 mph. On streets within the housing areas, the speed limit is 15 mph, and 10 mph in parking lots. Flightline speed is 15 mph in aircraft parking areas and on the access road.

The use of radar detectors or jammers is prohibited on Ellsworth and all other Department of Defense installations. The possession of such devices is legal in South Dakota, however, they must be turned off when driving on-base. The use of cell phones while driving is also prohibited; use of hands-free devices or Bluetooth technologies is allowed.

Open containers of alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the passenger compartment of any vehicle. Operating a vehicle on Ellsworth constitutes an implied consent to submit to a test for intoxication if requested, and refusal of testing will result in an automatic suspension of base driving privileges. The consumed level of intoxication in South Dakota is 0.08 percent blood alcohol content.

Firearms
South Dakota does not require registration of privately-owned firearms. Permits to carry concealed weapons are issued by the Pennington County Sheriff's Department for a nominal fee after completion of a background check. These permits, however, do not authorize an individual to carry a concealed weapon on Ellsworth. Privately-owned weapons, ammunition, fireworks and explosives are prohibited in bachelor living quarters and transient living quarters. People living in bachelor quarters are required to register their weapons with the 28th Security Forces Squadron, and are required, along with transient personnel, to store their weapons in the security police armory. People living in base housing are not required to register their weapons, and may keep their weapons and ammunition, not to exceed 500 rounds.

People may transport privately-owned weapons in their vehicles on and off base and to the base firing and skeet ranges, but may not leave weapons unattended or unsecured in their vehicles.Weapons should be unloaded and locked in the trunk of the vehicle, if possible. Firearms transported in vehicles without trunks must be secured in a case.