For the second time in three years, Ellsworth Air Force Base has earned recognition on a national stage for building deep ties beyond its gates.
The South Dakota installation accepted the honor during the 2026 Department of the Air Force Community Partnerships Award Ceremony in Tampa, Florida, on October 26, 2026, as reported by AFGSC.af.mil. This latest accolade puts a spotlight on the base’s sustained collaboration with the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
Building a Technical Pipeline in the Black Hills
The award-winning partnership with the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology centers on strengthening the pipeline for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. It also encompasses workforce training, specialized certificate programs in national security disciplines, and collaborative initiatives designed to support both the Department of the Air Force and the Department of War.
“This award is more than just a recognition; it’s a testament to the essential relationship established and maintained by Ellsworth Air Force Base and the Black Hills community,” said Col. Erick Lord, 28th Bomb Wing commander, as detailed by AFGSC.af.mil.
Lord noted that academic alliances of this scale remain vital to the installation’s long-range strike mission. By linking active-duty airmen with leading technical expertise and innovative regional minds, the base aims to adapt swiftly to increasingly complex security environments.
A History of Regional Innovation
This is not the first time Ellsworth has caught the attention of the Department of the Air Force Community Partnerships program. The base previously earned recognition for partnering with the West River Electric Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to install a $1.2 million battery energy storage system on-site.
That infrastructure project previously distinguished Ellsworth as the sole military installation to capture multiple DAFCP awards since 2024. According to base leadership, these ongoing efforts highlight what can be accomplished when military operations integrate hand-in-hand with regional partners to foster enduring technological advantages.
