114th Fighter Wing Mission
- Deliver worldwide Combat Airpower and Agile Combat Support with excellence. Deter, Defend, Compete, Win.
- Protect life and property, preserve peace, order and public safety when directed by the Governor.
Key Personnel
Headquarters, South Dakota Air National Guard 114th Fighter Wing
- Assistant Adjutant General - Brig Gen Cory Kestel - Commander - Col Brandon Eskam
- Chief of Staff - Big Gen Manuel Colón-DeJesús - Deputy Commander - Col Jon Friedman
- State Command Chief - CMSgt Andy Anderson - Command Chief - CMSgt Dan Johnson
Key Facts
- Primary Assigned Aircraft - F-16C
- Personnel Types Assigned
- Full Time Support: Federal (Technician and AGR), State Employees (Maintenance, Staff Support, and Crash Rescue), County Employees (Security)
- Traditional Guardsmen (One weekend a month and 15 Annual Training days each year)
FY24 Total Economic Impact: $81.3M
- Military Payroll: $47.3M
(Guard Members and Active Guard Reserve)
- Civilian Payroll: $17.3M
- State & Federal Agreements: $8.3M
(Facilities O&M, Environmental Agreement, Contract Security, Fire Protection, STARBASE)
- Military Construction: $185,056
- Other Non-Payroll: $8M
(Fly Program & AV Ground Fuels, SRM, BOC/TMO/GSA, Medical Commodity, Environmental Com-modity, Recruiting, Emergency/Special Programs, MAJCOM/Overseas Contingency, Military Clothing, Military Subsistence, Military Travel)
History
- July 10, 1946 - Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Ace, Joseph J. “Joe” Foss was appointed to form an Air National Guard Squadron in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- September 20, 1946 - 175th Fighter Squadron officially activated
- April 16, 1956 - 175th Fighter Squadron became part of 114th Fighter Group
- May 1970 - 114th Fighter Group re-designated 114th Tactical Fighter Group
- January 1, 1992 - 114th Tactical Fighter Group re-designated 114th Fighter Group
- October 1995 - 114th Fighter Group re-designated 114th Fighter Wing
Aircraft Flown:
- P-51 (1946) - F-94A (1954) - F-89 (1958) - F-102 (1960)
- F-100D (1970) - A-7D (1977) - F-16C (1992) - F-16C Block 40 (2010)Current as of 29 August 2025
Mission Accomplishment - Deployments, Exercises, and Readiness Since 9/11
- 2013 - Present - Aerospace Control Alert Detachment (24/7 pilot & aircraft coverage)
- 2024-2025 - 25.1 Expeditionary Air Base, CENTCOM/SOUTHCOM (165 Airmen)
- 2024 - Mission Generation Force Element, Kadena AB, Japan (296 Airmen)
- 2021 - National Special Security Events, CONUS (294 Airmen)
- 2020 - 2021 - Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL & SPARTAN SHIELD (107 Airmen/19 locations)
- 2020 - State Active Duty/502F - COVID-19 Response
- 2019 - Lobo Plummet, MCAS Miramar, CA
- 2018-2019 - Reserve Component Period 1 (Security Forces Squadron)
- 2018 - Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL & NATO’s Resolute Support Mission, Bagram AB, Afghanistan
- 2018 - RED FLAG 18-2, Nellis AFB, NV
- 2018 - Lobo Summit, March ARB, CA
- 2017 - Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL & INHERENT RESOLVE (126 Airmen/8 Locations worldwide)
- 2017 - Northern Lightning 17-3, Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, Camp Douglas, WI
- 2016 - Poland AvDet 16-4, Lask AB, Poland
- 2016 - Sentry Savannah 16-1, Savannah, GA
- 2015 - Pacific Command Theater Security Package Deployment, Kunsan AB, South Korea
- 2015 - RED FLAG 15-1, Nellis AFB, NV
- 2013 - Operation POST EAGER LION, Jordan
- 2013 - RED FLAG 13-3, Nellis AFB, NV
- 2012 - Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Oman (Security Forces Squadron)
- 2011 - State Active Duty - Missouri River Flood
- 2009-2010 - Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Balad AB, Iraq
- 2008-2009 - Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Kuwait (Civil Engineer Squadron)
- 2008 - Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Balad AB, Iraq
- 2008 - Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Manas AB, Kyrgystan (Security Forces Squadron)
- 2007-2010 - Air Sovereignty Alert - Maintained 24/7 pilot & aircraft coverage
- 2006 - Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Balad AB, Iraq
- 2002-2003 - Operation NORTHERN WATCH, Incirlik AB, Turkey
Major Awards and Recognition
- Meritorious Unit Award - For exceptionally meritorious conduct in direct support of combat operations (awarded in 2022, 2019)
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award/Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
13 overall (awarded in 2023, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2005, 1995, 1989, 1987, 1983, 1981)
- NGAUS Spaatz Trophy - Top overall ANG flying unit (#1 of 89)
5 overall (awarded in 2021, 2014, 1987, 1957 & 1949)
- NGAUS Distinguished Flying Unit Plaque - Top 5 ANG units after Spaatz Trophy
12 overall (awarded in 2025, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2008, 1988, 1985, 1980)
- NGAUS Major General John J. Pesch Safety Trophy - Top 2 ANG Units in flight safety
(awarded in 2025, 2022, 2018, 2015, 2004, 1996 & 1984)
- NGAUS William W. Spruance Safety Award - Most significant contributions to accident prevention
(awarded in 2022, 2018, 2011, 1995 & 1987)
- NGAUS Winston P. Wilson Trophy - Most outstanding fighter/reconnaissance unit
(awarded in 2025, 2024, 2022, 2019, 2010, 2007, 1983 & 1981)
- 2024 South Dakota Safety Council’s Governor’s Safety Award - 14th consecutive & 24th overall
- South Dakota Distinguished Unit Award - For national recognition of meritorious acts/deeds/service
(awarded in 2015, 2014, 1987 & 1981)
- RED FLAG 15-1 Outstanding Maintenance Unit - #1 maintenance unit of 22 worldwide participants (2015)
- Unit Effectiveness Inspection - Highly Effective Rating - 1st awarded by ACC Inspector General (2014)