Sioux City Air National Guard Base

Sioux City Air National Guard Base is a military facility at Sioux Gateway Airport housing the 185th Air Refueling Wing. The installation operates KC-135 tanker aircraft that conduct aerial refueling missions for military operations across the globe.

The installation was established in March 1942 as an Army Air Base and initially trained bomber crews on long-range aircraft. Over the decades it evolved to support aerial refueling operations and became a key logistics hub for military aviation.

The base maintains strong ties with the local community through regular collaboration on emergency response and disaster relief efforts. Military personnel participate in regional events and work alongside residents on civic initiatives throughout the area.

The facility is accessible through Sioux Gateway Airport and operates two runways to accommodate various aircraft sizes and types. Visitors should inquire ahead about access restrictions, as it remains an active military installation with operational requirements.

Personnel at the base provided critical emergency response when United Airlines Flight 232 experienced total hydraulic failure and made an emergency landing in 1989. This dramatic event highlighted the installation's importance to regional safety and rapid response capabilities.

Location: Iowa

Inception: 1942

GPS coordinates: 42.39830,-96.37190

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:51