Fiery oranges red object hovering over Minuteman II Launch Facility alarms sounded security team dispatched to investigate.Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Launch Facility, Strategic Air Command Ellsworth Air Force Base South Dakota. Missile Combat Crew received alarms of possible tampering of launch facility and contacted security specialist topside to investigate. Two man alarm response team was dispatched and drove several miles to the launch facility. Written procedures for the security team to follow for all alarms was to stop within a quarter mile and conduct visual recon. Before arriving within a quarter of a mile the team reported a fiery orange red object over the launch facility. Following their checklist the team leader drove up the access road while the member followed on foot behind the vehicle for cover. They observed a classic gray alien standing with a rod in one hand outside the fenceline. Following their training the member immediately challenged the being with his M-16 rifle and the being pointed the rod at him emitting some type of discharge knocking him out. After this the being and object departed the area. Upon examination of the nuclear warhead by Air Force technicians it was discovered that the missile had been altered so it was not operational. This account was published almost word for word in the National Inquirer but drew little attention. During this same time period there were numerous reports of UFO fly overs and landings near northern tier military installations but South Dakota drew little attention because it was not considered a northern tier base like Minot Air Force Base North Dakota. In the early 80s a reporter from the Inquirer returned to followup on this story with base personnel that may have had first hand knowledge of this incident. Air Force personnel were told prior to the reporters arrival at the designated offices if they had heard or seen this UFO report they were to keep quiet.((NUFORC Note: Witness indicates that the date of the event is approximate, and that it occurred sometime during the mid-1970's. We have requested more information from the person who submitted the report. PD))