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South Dakota Air National Guard
Public Affairs Office
1201 W. Algonquin Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-988-5644
SDANG 06-13
July 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – SDANG Turns 60
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – All eyes will be on the sky this weekend (July 22 and 23) for
AIRSHOW ’06. At the heart of the celebration; however, is an even more important event! The South Dakota Air National Guard is celebrating its 60th Anniversary.
- Authorization for Joe Foss and Duke Corning to form the South Dakota Air National Guard granted on July 10, 1946. Federally recognized on September 20, 1946.
- Original strength of 44 members (13 officers and 31 enlisted members). Thirty additional members were authorized in October 1946 bringing the unit strength to 74.
- Today the South Dakota Air National Guard has 1000 members (111 officers and 889 enlisted members).
- The unit has flown fighter aircraft since its organization:
- F-51 (1946 to 1954)
- F-94 (1954 to 1958)
- F-89 (1958 to 1961)
- F-102 (1960 to 1970)
- F-100 (1970 to 1977)
- A-7 (1977 – 1991)
- F-16 (1991 – Present)
- Numerous other aircraft have been assigned throughout the years as support aircraft, including: C-47, A-26, AT-6, L-5, T-33, B-26, B-25, C-54, T-29, C-131, C-12, C-26
- The South Dakota Air National Guard has been awarded 6 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards
- The South Dakota Air National Guard was activated during the Korean Conflict (March 1, 1951 to December 1, 1952) and moved to Rapid City Air Base, SD to support the B-36 bombers assigned to that base.
- From 1979 to 1990 provided air defense for the Panama Canal for one month each year with the assigned A-7D fighter jets.
- Participated in Operation Just Cause, removing Manuel Noriega from power in Panama, during December 1989 to January 1990.
- Following Operation Desert Storm, actively defended the “No Fly Zones” over Iraq while flying out of Turkey, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
- Since September 11, 2001 over two-thirds of the unit’s 1000 members have actively supported the “Global War on Terrorism” at home and abroad.
- Unit members have supported Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom from bases in Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Qatar, Pakistan, Romania, Oman, Jordan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Spain, Germany and France.
- Throughout their 60-year history the South Dakota Air National Guard has deployed its fighter aircraft to: Italy, Norway, England, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Panama, Curacao and Singapore.
- The 114th Fighter Wing, of the South Dakota Air National Guard, has accumulated more than 50,000 mishap-free flying hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon since its assignment in 1991.
- The South Dakota Air National Guard consistently exceeds authorized recruiting strength and sets the national standard for the retention of highly qualified Airmen.
The men and women of the “Fightin’ Lobos” are proud to host AIRSHOW ’06 and to show the public the outstanding facilities of the South Dakota Air National Guard. Please enjoy our birthday party on July 22 and 23.
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For additional information contact Lt. Col. Reid Christopherson at:
Office: 605-988-5644 / Cell: 605-310-9476