Groups Pursue F-35 Jets for Sioux Falls Air Guard
Nine sites are competing for two slots to host F-35 fighters that will replace the aging F-16s based in Sioux Falls.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Groups are pursuing F-35 fighter jets for the South Dakota Air National Guard in Sioux Falls, where F-16s have been based for decades. Nine sites are competing for two host slots as the aging F-16s are set to be replaced.
Why it matters
The F-16 fighter jets are aging and will eventually be replaced by the F-35, and the outcome could affect the more than 1,100 Guard members in the Sioux Falls area. The decision will shape the future of the local Air Guard mission.
Nine candidate sites are competing for just two slots to host the new F-35 fighters, with over 1,100 Guard members in the Sioux Falls area potentially affected. The final selection has not yet been made.
The players
South Dakota Air National Guard
The state's Air National Guard unit, which has operated F-16 fighter jets from Sioux Falls for decades and is pursuing F-35 jets as its successor aircraft.
The details
The F-35 fighters will replace the F-16s that have been based in Sioux Falls for decades. Decisions on which sites will host the new jets are still being weighed, and the field is expected to be narrowed soon.
Timeline
Spring 2027: A decision on the F-35 host sites is expected.
Late next decade: F-35 planes are expected to land in Sioux Falls.
Roadmap
The competition for F-35 basing reflects the broader Air Force transition from legacy F-16 fighters to the F-35 Lightning II program. Sioux Falls is one of nine candidate sites competing to host the new aircraft as that fleet replacement moves forward.
Over 1,100 Guard members in the Sioux Falls area could see their roles and local operations change as the F-35 replaces the F-16. The outcome will affect the local economy and the community that supports the base.
The takeaway
Watch the spring 2027 decision on F-35 host sites, since it will determine whether Sioux Falls keeps its Air Guard fighter mission for the next generation of aircraft.
What happens next
A decision on which sites will host the F-35 fighters is expected in spring 2027.
Further reading
For more local business activity, browse Openings & Closings in Sioux Falls.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dakotanewsnow.
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Should Sioux Falls work to bring F-35 fighter jets to the Air Guard base?
