An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 7, 2016

Air National Guard director visits South Dakota's 114th Fighter Wing

By Senior Master Sgt. Nancy Ausland 114th Fighter Wing

JOE FOSS FIELD, S.D. - Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National Guard, met with Airmen from the 114th Fighter Wing about current issues and the direction of the ANG during a Sunday visit to the unit at Joe Foss Field, South Dakota.

"My goal as the director is to visit all 90 Wings in my four-year tour of duty," said Rice. "My job is to train, organize and equip the force to generate combat capability for the president, our nation, and the Department of Defense."

As the Air National Guard Director, Rice is responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, plans, and programs affecting the more than 105,500 Guard members and civilians in 90 flying wings and 175 geographically separated units across 213 locations throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

Rice said when you look at the ANG as an enterprise, you find our members are in every community and in every location across the country and are an integral part of what it means to be an American.

"It's pretty exciting to see our communities embrace the Guard like they do here in Sioux Falls and that is a strength in who we are as an (ANG)," said Rice. "We're very experienced, we're very local, and we're very committed to those things we hold dear; our families, our future, our security, and our jobs. That's what the Air National Guard is."

Rice held a town-hall style meeting with officers from the unit to discuss his three focus areas: 21st century Guard Airmen, Recapitalization/Modernization of our forces, and readiness across the 54 (states and territories). He also toured the base facilities and met with Airmen throughout the offices and shops on base.

"I come to this unit, one of the most exceptional units we have across our whole agency, and see all of the good things that go on here and look them in the eye and say 'thank you', to all the members, to Sioux Falls, to South Dakota, to the Governor of South Dakota, and to our elected leaders who support the ANG, 'thank you,' now what can I do to help you?" said Rice.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...