South Dakota Guard Fights for F-35s as Aging Fleet Nears End of Life

The South Dakota National Guard is currently engaged in a high-stakes competition to secure two new squadrons of F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets for its home base in Sioux Falls.

Maj. Gen. Mark Morrell, the adjutant general of the South Dakota National Guard, confirmed that the Department of the Air Force is evaluating nine potential locations for the new aircraft. Only two of those sites will be selected to host the new units. Morrell stated that the move would replace the Guard's existing F-16 fleet on a one-for-one basis.

The current F-16s stationed at Joe Foss Field were manufactured in 1988 and 1989. Morrell noted that these aircraft are nearing the end of their operational life cycle and require replacement. He attributed the aging equipment to decades of heavy usage during the global war on terror and subsequent counterinsurgency operations, which stretched DoD funding priorities.

Morrell, 49, has served in the South Dakota military structure for 15 years. He led the Guard from August 2023 until the current reporting period. The organization he commands comprises approximately 4,100 soldiers and airmen, supported by about 950 federal and state employees. This group maintains a state of mission readiness for both the South Dakota Air and Army National Guard units.

A native of Tyndall, Morrell graduated from South Dakota State University in 1999. His prior career in the U.S. Air Force included roles as a command pilot and flight instructor across states such as Texas, Florida, Nevada, and Alaska, as well as assignments in Korea. He received a Bronze Star during his service.

Morrell described the Guard's dual mission during a conversation with News Watch. He stated that the primary job of the unit is to act as a combat reservoir for the Army and Air Force. This involves training to the highest standards of combat readiness alongside active duty counterparts to fight and win the nation's wars.

The secondary mission, which Morrell called equal in importance, operates at the behest of the governor. This role focuses on ensuring domestic tranquility during any emergency that affects the state. He emphasized that the Guard is capable of responding to a wide range of local crises.

Data shared with News Watch indicates that nearly 800 soldiers and airmen from the state have been deployed out of state ten times over the past five years. Morrell explained that this frequency reflects a structural shift that began after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Guard transitioned from being viewed as a strategic reserve to an operational reserve. For more than 25 years, units have deployed regularly alongside active duty personnel to locations across the globe.

Morrell characterized the personnel roster as a group of citizen warriors. He described the members as ordinary citizens, including neighbors, business owners, teachers, and first responders, who perform extraordinary tasks when they assemble. He referred to them as super citizens who step up to do work that others will not.

When discussing the benefits of service to potential recruits, Morrell identified purpose as the primary selling point. He stated that the Guard offers individuals a chance to join a winning team and make a tangible impact. He also cited education benefits as a secondary advantage, though he considered the sense of purpose to be the most valuable aspect of the commitment.