Ellis Relates the Experience of a Lifetime

SWAN VALLEY – In the late 1950s, Swan Valley resident Steve Ellis developed an interest in missiles, especially in the Minuteman Missile program. That interest led him to a 24-year career in the United States Air Force (USAF). Throughout that time, Ellis worked at several bases. He filled a number of different roles but rockets and missiles were always at the center.

Ellis entered the Air Force by way of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He said the USAF was just beginning its own officer training academy at that time and West Point trained personnel for the other military serv...