Sioux Falls Leaders Push to Secure F-35 Fighter Jets for Joe Foss Field

The 114th Fighter Wing’s Bid for the F-35

The South Dakota Air National Guard is launching a formal campaign to secure the F-35 Lightning II as the next generation of aircraft for the 114th Fighter Wing at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls. This effort, coordinated by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and various state partners, aims to replace the aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons that have patrolled the region’s skies for decades. As the Air Force prepares to phase out the F-16 over the next 10 to 15 years, the competition for the new fighter mission has intensified among nine Air National Guard bases nationwide, according to information provided by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. The South Dakota Air National Guard currently employs more than 1,100 members of the local community, serving as a primary regional employer. Beyond the direct employment figures, the unit generates an annual economic impact of nearly $100 million. Securing the F-35 mission is viewed by local leaders as a critical step in maintaining these jobs and providing career pathways for the next generation of South Dakota airmen.

Economic and Training Synergies in South Dakota

The push for the F-35 is framed by the unique strategic geography of the state. With the B-21 Raider stealth bomber slated for Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder, local officials see a clear advantage in co-locating the Air Force’s most advanced fighter with its most advanced bomber. Advocates believe that basing the F-35 in Sioux Falls would allow for increased training interoperability between the two units, potentially leading to safer and more effective outcomes in real-world combat scenarios.

Dakota News Now reports that the drive for the new mission is being treated as a long-term economic investment. Leaders point to the West River region, where the arrival of the B-21 has already triggered approximately $2 billion in public and private infrastructure development. By bringing the F-35 to the east side of the state, supporters argue that the region could see a similar ripple effect in capital investment and construction.

Leaders push to bring F-35 fighter jets to Sioux Falls

Hosting a new fighter here is going to be a sure bet. It’s a group of people that fully understand military service, and they’re going to deliver on it. You’re going to have a combat-ready force right away, so it’s not going to take a ton of transition. We’re going to have a well-manned organization, and it’s going to deliver for you.

That assessment comes from Maj. Gen. Mark Morrell, Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard, who emphasized the unit’s high state of readiness.

The Competitive Path to Selection

The U.S. Air Force is currently evaluating the candidate bases based on a specific set of criteria designed to determine the most logical locations for the F-35 program. While the 114th Fighter Wing is touting its experience and community support, it faces competition from nearly a dozen other units across the country. Military officials are expected to narrow the list of candidate bases in December, a timeline that has prompted the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce to accelerate its advocacy window.

To demonstrate community backing, the Chamber is collecting letters of support from local businesses and organizations to present to federal decision-makers. The goal is to prove that the broader Sioux Falls community is unified in its support of the National Guard’s mission. Interested organizations have until early December to submit statements of support to [email protected] or through the Chamber’s official website.

While the momentum behind the bid is significant, the process remains highly competitive. The Air Force’s final decision will hinge on its internal assessment of which bases offer the best logistical and strategic value for the next decade of air operations. For now, the focus in Sioux Falls is on ensuring that the 114th Fighter Wing’s case is heard before the selection window closes.