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FORT DODGE, Iowa — The Iowa National Guard has announced the Air Guard base in Fort Dodge will be closing down. The base employs 30 full-time, and 100 part-time Guard members.

“The Director of the Air National Guard (ANG) has released a Force Structure
announcement that divests the 133rd Test Squadron’s mission located in Fort Dodge,” said Jackie Schmillen, Director of Public Affairs, Iowa National Guard, in a news release. “We anticipate that this will result in the eventual closure of the unit and Air Guard facility in Fort Dodge.”

The news of the final announcement was not a surprise to people at the 133rd Test Squadron.

“Initially was presented that there’s a potential conversion going on in our community,” said Lt. Col. Jason Kolacia, Commander of the 133rd Air Control Squadron. “We were given the notice that there is a potential downsizing and, not necessarily downsizing, for more restructuring.”

City leaders in Fort Dodge were aware of the potential closure.

“They’ve been an integral part of the community, when we have significant community events they participate one way or the other, you know whether it’s volunteering time or helping out with equipment or things like that,” said David Fierke, Fort Dodge City Manager.

Fierke said the space where the Air Guard is located will be studied for future use.

“There could be good adaptive use of those facilities for a business, you know an airport related business or airline related business, or there could be other purposes,” said Fierke. “Some of their buildings are pretty decent shape, and so we need to explore that.”

Jason Kolacia has spent his entire Iowa Air Guard career working at this base in his hometown of Fort Dodge.

“I think it’s made us effective throughout all the years as you know small town values coming into the Air Force,” said Kolacia.

Officials said it could take four to six years before the base actually closes.