Location
Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station is the home base of the South Dakota Air National Guard 114th Fighter Wing.
History
On July 10, 1946, Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Ace, Joseph J. “Joe” Foss was appointed to form an Air National Guard Squadron at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The mission of the squadron would be to recruit and train aircrews and ground crews to a level of operational proficiency, which would enable them to intercept and destroy enemy airborne weapons. The equipment slate for the proposed unit included 25 of the fast and maneuverable P-51 Mustangs, a first-line fighter of the day.
Colonel Foss called a meeting for those interested and plans were formulated for organizing the squadron. Authority to activate the 175th Fighter Squadron in South Dakota was issued and on September 20, 1946, the organization received federal recognition.
The 175th was reassigned to the 133rd Fighter Interceptor Wing along with units from Fargo, Duluth and Minneapolis in November 1950. The unit was called to active duty on March 1, 1951 and moved to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, South Dakota, to provide support for the B-36 bombers stationed there. The unit remained nearly intact and at the end of the active duty was returned to state control and reorganized on December 1, 1952.
Two T-33 trainers were assigned to the unit in July 1954 to start the transition of the pilots into jet aircraft. The assignment of jet fighters began with F-94A/Bs and in a short time, the pilots were all checked out in jets. On April 16, 1956, the 175th Fighter Interceptor Squadron became part of the newly constituted 114th Fighter Interceptor Group, headquartered at Sioux Falls. In May 1956, the first F-94C Starfire was received and another aircraft conversion was underway. In 1958, the F-94s were retired for the more powerful and longer range F-89 Scorpions. After two successful years with the F-89, notification was received that F-102 Delta Daggers were on the way.
Mission
To provide combat capable aircraft, air crew, support personnel, and equipment to augment existing active forces during times of crisis, national emergencies or war.
Contact Information
Joe Foss Field phone directory operator:
(605)988-5700 (DSN – 798-7700)
ID Card Information: (605)988-5845
(DSN – 798-7845)
Morale call connection: DSN – 798-7939