South Dakota is home to a number of military bases that play a vital role in the state’s defense and emergency response capabilities. These bases are home to the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard, as well as other military units, and are responsible for providing trained and ready soldiers, airmen, and units to support the state and national defense.

There are several military bases located in South Dakota, including:

1. Ellsworth Air Force Base
2. Camp Rapid
3. Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station
4. South Dakota Army National Guard
5. South Dakota Air National Guard

See below for a full detail on each South Dakota military base.

 

Map of Military Bases in South Dakota

Ellsworth Air Force Base

Located 10 miles from Rapid City South Dakota, Ellsworth AFB is the largest employer in this region and the second largest employer in the state. The host unit at Ellsworth is the 28th Bomb Wing, assigned to the 12th Air Force under Air Combat Command. The 28th Bomb Wing is made up of several staff agencies and four groups, including the 28th Operations Group, the 28th Maintenance Group, the 28th Mission Support Group and the 28th Medical Group. The Operations group is responsible for providing combat-ready B-1B aircrews for worldwide operations as necessary. There are three squadrons in the Operations group – the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons and the 28th Operations Support Squadron. The Maintenance Group take care to ensure the flight-readiness of the fleet of 28 B-1B aircraft stationed at the base. The Mission Support Group provides essential quality-of-life services, such as food services, security, vehicles, computer and telephone support. The Medical Group provides medical services to almost 16,000 eligible people in the region. All units at Ellsworth AFB work to uphold the overall mission of the installation, which is to provide rapid, decisive and sustainable combat air power and support to Air Force operations here and abroad.

 

Camp Rapid

Camp Rapid is a National Guard training center located near Rapid City, South Dakota. It is used for training by the South Dakota Army National Guard and other military units. The camp offers various training facilities, including live-fire ranges, a modern training area, and an obstacle course. It also provides training in various military specialties such as marksmanship, tactics, leadership, and field skills. The camp is also used for community events and disaster response training. The camp is home to the South Dakota National Guard Joint Force Headquarters and is known for its military training, education, and community support. The Camp Rapid Military Reservation is also home to the South Dakota National Guard Youth Challenge Program which is a program designed to help at-risk youth and young adults to learn the discipline and skills necessary to become responsible citizens.

 

Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station

Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station (JFAS) is an Air National Guard base located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is home to the 114th Fighter Wing of the South Dakota Air National Guard, which operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The 114th Fighter Wing is responsible for providing air defense for the Midwest region of the United States, as well as supporting federal and state agencies during natural disasters and other emergencies.

Joe Foss Field is also home to the 114th Maintenance Group, the 114th Operations Group and the 114th Medical Group. The base has a runway and several aircraft maintenance hangars, as well as support facilities such as armories, training facilities and administration buildings. The base’s facilities are also used by other military units and civilian organizations for training and other purposes. The base also has a unique role in the community, as it is home to the Joe Foss Field Airport, which serves the general aviation needs of the area and is open to the public.

 

South Dakota Army National Guard

The South Dakota Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the South Dakota National Guard. It is composed of citizen-soldiers who train part-time while maintaining civilian careers or attending college. The mission of the South Dakota Army National Guard is to provide trained and ready soldiers and units to support the state and national defense. The South Dakota Army National Guard is headquartered at the South Dakota National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Rapid City, South Dakota, and has several armories and training facilities located throughout the state, including in Rapid City, Pierre, and Sioux Falls.

The South Dakota Army National Guard has several units that are responsible for different aspects of the guard’s mission, such as the 169th Engineer Battalion, the 153rd Engineer Battalion, the 196th Regional Training Institute, and the 114th Public Affairs Detachment. The units of the South Dakota Army National Guard are trained to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, as well as to support federal and state agencies during such events. The South Dakota Army National Guard also plays a role in providing security during state events and providing support to the communities it serves.

 

South Dakota Air National Guard

The South Dakota Air National Guard (SDANG) is a component of the United States Air Force and the South Dakota National Guard. It is composed of citizen-airmen who train part-time while maintaining civilian careers or attending college. The mission of the South Dakota Air National Guard is to provide trained and ready airmen and units to support the state and national defense.

The South Dakota Air National Guard is headquartered at Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and has several facilities located throughout the state, including in Rapid City. The 114th Fighter Wing is the main unit of the SDANG, which operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and is responsible for providing air defense for the Midwest region of the United States, as well as supporting federal and state agencies during natural disasters and other emergencies.

The SDANG also has several other units that support the 114th Fighter Wing, such as the 114th Maintenance Group, the 114th Operations Group, and the 114th Medical Group. The SDANG units are also trained to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, as well as to support federal and state agencies during such events. The South Dakota Air National Guard also plays a role in providing security during state events and providing support to the communities it serves. The SDANG also participates in Air National Guard and Air Force readiness training and exercises, and supports Air Force and Department of Defense objectives, as well as State of South Dakota and local authorities during natural disasters, civil disturbances and other emergencies.