Documents to Handcarry
Copies of orders, phone numbers of family, friends, your sponsor, duplicates of luggage/car/other important keys, home inventory of household goods (plus pictures or videos and receipts), medical and dental records, cash and small valuables.
Passports and Visas
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships for the military members and their families, and assure Members have appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
Peculiarities Pertaining to the Area
We have a diverse climate so pack for all seasons. The Black Hills profoundly effects our weather. We boast a lot of sunshine and have a very mild climate for a northern state. Yet, we've experienced temperatures ranging from -1 degree (with the wind at 40 to 60 miles per hour, giving us a wind chill factor of approximately -59 degrees below freezing) to a balmy 73 degrees in December! Be prepared (anything is possible) for climate extremes regardless of the calendar season. During the tourist season (April through September), you may notice an increase in gasoline prices, and even food. The same holds true for hotel/motel prices, which can be very high, especially during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. From August through September, the entire Rapid City area sees a multitude of visitors. They come for the Central States Fair and for the world famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Both of these events draw large crowds which can fill our local motels and hotels. All personnel PCSing into the area during this peak tourist season need to ensure Lodging (TLF) or hotel/motel reservations are confirmed. If you have any questions, contact your sponsor or the Ellsworth Military and Family Readiness Center at 605-385-4663.
In Case of Emergency
If you encounter problems while en route to Ellsworth AFB that may cause you to arrive later than your reporting date, contact your sponsor. You may also contact the nearest military base Military and Family Readiness Center or the nearest Red Cross office. In time of a financial emergency in transit, the Air Force Aid Society may be able to assist you. Contact the nearest military installation or Red Cross office.
Ellsworth has a diverse climate so pack for all seasons. In 2014, Rapid City was named #1 with the Most Unpredictable Weather. The temperature might be 30 degrees in January - or just as easily -12 degrees. It is snowy, windy, and prone to big, unexpected snow storms. Thunderstorms occur 25 percent of days from July through September, more than the national average. So BE PREPARED!
During the tourist season (April through September), you'll begin to notice increases in gasoline, as well as hotel/motels. From August through September, the entire Rapid City area sees a multitude of visitors. They come for the Central States Fair and for the world famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Both of these events draw large crowds which can fill our local motels and hotels, and raise rates substantially. All personnel PCSing into the area during this peak tourist season need to ensure Lodging (TLF) or hotel/motel reservations, and cost are confirmed.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code of 312 must be included. Please note that long distance/cell phone charges may be incurred.
