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A demonstration of aviation airpower and talent will once again come to the skies of Sioux Falls July 21-22. The 2012 Sioux Falls Airshow will be held at Joe Foss Field, South Dakota Air National Guard base and will be held in conjunction with a 150th anniversary celebration of the South Dakota National Guard.
With a proud 150-year heritage of serving as the state’s militia, the SDNG finds its origins dating back to 1862 as part of the Dakota Territory.
Celebrations have been taking place across the state to recognize the 150th anniversary of the National Guard in South Dakota and this will be the East River resident’s turn to recognize this momentous occasion.
“There is no better way for the Air National Guard of South Dakota to celebrate our great heritage of service to our state and nation than on our 150th anniversary and to demonstrate and showcase aviation capabilities of the past and present with this air show,” said Col. Russ Walz, 114th Fighter Wing commander.
The 2012 Sioux Falls Airshow will feature numerous military aircraft to include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, the U.S. Marines AV-8 Harrier, U.S. Navy FA-18 Super Hornet, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, and our state’s very own F-16 Fighting Lobos. Civilian acts that will perform include the Vanguard Squadron, Dick Schulz Airshows, Jacquie B Airshows, and the P-51 Mustang.
The cadets of the U.S. Air Force Academy will make their first appearance at the Sioux Falls Airshow honoring our country by carrying in the stars and stripes to start the show. The cadets of the Wings of Blue have become one of the outstanding parachute teams in the country traveling to local, national and international shows.
While the majority of the action will be taking place in the skies over Joe Foss Field, impressive static displays will also grace the flightline. The B-1 Lancer, C-17 Globemaster, A-10 Warthog, CV-22 Osprey, C130 Hercules, T-38 Talon, KC-135 Air Refueler, F-15C and D, and various Army National Guard helicopters just to name a few.
An array of past and present Army National Guard vehicles, artifacts and uniforms will also be on display, to include a number of informational kiosks highlighting the history of the SDNG.
“We are very proud to be celebrating this historic milestone in our organization’s history, and we look forward to continuing that lineage of service to our state and nation,” said Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, the adjutant general of the SDNG. “Other than during World War II when there was a total mobilization of the South Dakota National Guard, these past 10 years clearly ranks among the most significant periods of our history.”
South Dakota National Guard
Public Affairs Office
e-m: pao@sd.ngb.army.mil
pho: 605.737.6721
fax: 605.737.6264