South Dakota has a small but important military footprint. The state is home to one major active-duty installation, Ellsworth Air Force Base, plus key Air National Guard and Army National Guard sites that train and support the force. The Air Force leads the active-duty mission here, and the South Dakota National Guard rounds out the picture. Whether you are PCSing to South Dakota (Permanent Change of Station, the military term for an official move to a new duty station), thinking about a move, or just curious about military history, this guide gives you a clear overview of the key military bases in the state.
Overview of Military Installations in South Dakota
South Dakota's military presence centers on air power. Ellsworth Air Force Base, near Rapid City, flies the B-1B Lancer bomber and has been chosen as the first home for the new B-21 Raider. The South Dakota Air National Guard flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon from Sioux Falls, and the South Dakota Army National Guard runs its state headquarters at Camp Rapid in Rapid City. The active footprint is compact, but Ellsworth gives the state an outsized role in the nation's long-range strike mission, and it keeps military families moving in and out each year on PCS orders.
Active Military Bases in South Dakota
- Ellsworth Air Force Base
- Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Base (114th Fighter Wing)
- Camp Rapid (South Dakota Army National Guard)
Air Force Bases in South Dakota
Ellsworth Air Force Base
Ellsworth AFB, in Box Elder near Rapid City, is the state's only active-duty installation and one of the most important bomber bases in the country. Its host unit, the 28th Bomb Wing, is one of only two wings that operate the B-1B Lancer. The base is home to roughly 3,800 Airmen and Department of Defense civilians and operates a fleet of 27 B-1B Lancers. B-1s from Ellsworth provide deterrent presence, precision strike, and surveillance and reconnaissance around the world.
Key Missions:
- B-1B Lancer bomber operations and training
- Long-range global strike and deterrence
- Surveillance and reconnaissance support for combatant commands
Learn more on the Ellsworth Air Force Base 28th Operations Group page and the official 28th Bomb Wing fact sheet.
Ellsworth and the B-21 Raider
Ellsworth's role is set to grow. In 2019 the Air Force announced Ellsworth as the first base to receive the B-21 Raider, the new stealth bomber being built to replace the B-1B and the B-2 Spirit. The base was officially selected in 2021 as B-21 Main Operating Base #1, chosen because it has the space and existing facilities to support both the B-21 and B-1 missions at the same time during the transition. This makes Ellsworth the launching point for the next generation of long-range strike, and it means steady investment and growth in the Rapid City area in the years ahead.
Key Missions:
- First main operating base for the B-21 Raider
- Bed-down and training for the new stealth bomber
- Transition support from the B-1B to the B-21
Read the official Air Force announcement that Ellsworth is the first B-21 base and the Ellsworth selection announcement.
Air National Guard Bases in South Dakota
Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Base
Joe Foss Field, in Sioux Falls, is home to the 114th Fighter Wing of the South Dakota Air National Guard. The wing flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon and has done so since 1991. The South Dakota Air National Guard was founded in 1946 by Medal of Honor recipient and former South Dakota governor Joe Foss, the World War II Marine fighter ace the field is named for. The wing provides combat-ready airpower that can support active forces during a crisis, an emergency, or war.
Key Missions:
- F-16 Fighting Falcon operations and training
- Combat airpower to augment active-duty forces
- State support during emergencies and disasters
See the official 114th Fighter Wing home page and the history of the South Dakota Air National Guard.
