The Future of Sioux Falls’ Skies: The Push for the F-35
Currently, there is a coordinated effort between the South Dakota Air National Guard, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and many other partners to make Sioux Falls the future site of the F-35 Lightning II fighter. For the past few decades, Sioux Falls has been home to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and we have enjoyed its presence in our skies during that time. However, the F-16 will begin being phased out over the next 10-15 years, and the F-35 is the clear replacement for our aging fighter wing here in Sioux Falls.
There is currently a competition underway among nine Air National Guard bases in the U.S., including Sioux Falls, for two slots to be selected as the new home of the F-35 fighter. The U.S. Air Force will be grading the different bases on a number of criteria to determine which would be the most logical choices to base these new fighters. While many of us believe Sioux Falls is the best place for the F-35 to call home, we need your help in telling the U.S. Air Force why.
Why it’s important
Today, our South Dakota Air National Guard (SDANG) employs more than 1,100 members of our greater Sioux Falls community, making it one of the region’s largest employers. These airmen are our family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers. The SDANG also provides an economic impact of nearly $100 million annually to the region’s economy. Ensuring that we have an aircraft that will continue to allow these airmen to live and work in our community is critical to Sioux Falls, not only to provide jobs to those here today, but also to provide opportunities for the next generation that wants to continue to call South Dakota home.
A unique opportunity for South Dakota
The potential of Sioux Falls becoming the home of the F-35 impacts more than just our region. As many of you know, Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder, South Dakota, will be home to the U.S. military’s most advanced bomber, the B-21 Raider. This great investment in South Dakota provides a unique opportunity to pair the most advanced bomber alongside the Air Force’s most advanced fighter, the F-35, if the fighter is stationed in Sioux Falls. If South Dakota is able to host both the B-21 and the F-35, it will allow our airmen to train together more frequently, providing for safer outcomes in real-world situations.
How you can get involved
The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber is currently collecting letters of support for the fighter recapitalization to show our community’s support alongside the efforts of our federal delegation. This will demonstrate that our entire community supports our National Guard and its mission. If you are interested in joining this effort, you can either send a letter of support from your business or organization to the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber or ask to be listed as a supporting organization on the letter the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber will be submitting to the decision-makers of this fighter recapitalization. Our advocacy window begins now and runs through early December, during which time we will continue to work with the SDANG and our other partners to advocate for the future of the 114th Fighter Wing.
If you would like to voice your support for this initiative, please send letters or statements of support on behalf of your organization to mrave@siouxfalls.com or visit our website, and we will ensure your advocacy is heard. We appreciate our partners in our great community coming together for such an important cause.