16 Aug 2020

114th Operations Group Commander reaches flying milestone

F-16 engines whirr on the flightline as pilots land and park after the morning training sortie on Aug. 14. For one pilot, this flight means reaching a big milestone. Col. Cory Kestel, 114th Operations Group commander, lands at Joe Foss Field, S.D. after achieving 3,000 flying hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

20 Apr 2020

114 FW utilizes virtual training

The 114th Fighter Wing continues training with the help of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several squadrons started implementing virtual Unit Training Assemblies this month in order to protect the health and safety of Airmen. This new way of training will also allow the 114th Fighter Wing to continue to own its missions while enforcing current Department of Defense and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention force health protection measures.

7 Nov 2019

Lobo Leadership Course

Throughout the next year, approximately 50 members of the South Dakota Air National Guard will participate in the inaugural Lobo Leadership Course held at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

8 Sep 2019

114th Fighter Wing welcomes new commander

Col. Mark R. Morrell, 114th Fighter Wing incoming commander, assumed command of the 114th Fighter Wing from Col. Nathan B. Alholinna, at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, South Dakota on September 7, 2019. Morrell is the 12th Commander of the 114th Fighter Wing which began in 1946. Brig. Gen. Russ A. Walz, Assistant Adjutant General for air, South Dakota National Guard presided over the ceremony.

25 Apr 2019

Combat Readiness Creates Camaraderie

Approximately 35 Security Forces personnel from the 114th Security Forces Squadron deployed in support of the 114th Fighter Wing’s Lobo Plummet, held in southern California. The Defenders conducted flightline security for the F-16 Fighting Falcons at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar while also taking advantage of several unique training opportunities at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The expeditionary skills training consisted of annual weapons qualifications, night fire utilizing laser sights, weapon familiarization, land navigation and an emphasis on Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training.

18 Apr 2019

114th Fighter Wing Conducts Lobo Plummet 2019

The 114th Fighter Wing deployed 180 Airmen, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and associated equipment to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, California for Operation Lobo Plummet. Pilots from the 114th Fighter Wing conducted force integration with Marine F-35s and F-18s, as well as Air Force F-15s while training at MCAS Miramar. As a multi-role fighter, the F-16 can perform a variety of mission sets, explained Lt. Col. Jeremey Doohen, Lobo Plummet project officer and F-16 pilot.

6 Mar 2019

114TH FW hosts professional fitness trainer

The 114th Fighter Wing Top 3 organization invited Cuong Nguyen, owner of Cuong Strong Personal Training and Fitness, to speak with members of the wing about the annual physical training test and overall health and fitness. The Top 3 is made up of senior noncommissioned officers, whose goal is to foster improved communication, collaboration, and engagement within the South Dakota Air National Guard. “This fitness event was an opportunity for the 114th FW to offer an information resource on fitness and nutrition to our members,” said Master Sergeant Jayme Werning, 114th bio-environmental engineer non-commissioned officer in charge and member of the 114th FW Top 3 organization.

3 Mar 2019

New Commander leads 114th Operations Group

The 114th Operations Group has a new commander leading them. Col. Cory Kestel took command of the 114th Operations Group from Col. Mark Morrell who assumed the 114th Fighter Wing vice commander position during a Change of Command Ceremony at Joe Foss Field, S.D. March 2, 2019. Kestel has been in the military for over 22 years who recently held the 175th Fighter Squadron commander position before taking on this new role. He also pinned on the rank of colonel immediately after the ceremony.

3 Mar 2019

Assistant Adjutant General becomes dual-hatted

Brig. Gen. Russ Walz, South Dakota's Assistant Adjutant General for Air, has been selected as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Director, Air and Cyberspace Operations, Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. According to PACAF’s website, PACAF is one of nine U.S. Air Force major commands and the air component of U.S. Pacific Command. Their primary mission is to provide ready air and space power to promote U.S. interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. PACAF’s area of responsibility (AOR) is home to 60 percent of the world’s population in 36 nations spread across 53 percent of the Earth’s surface.

5 Feb 2019

From South Dakota To Around The World

The 114th Fighter Wing is a small unit, but their efforts span the globe. Airmen of the South Dakota Air National Guard travelled around the world accomplishing missions set before them. Within a 12-month period, the 114th Fighter Wing deployed as part of an Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) package, travelled to support ongoing operations around the world, and provided assistance following a natural disaster.