[2] It is named in honor of aviator and Sioux Falls native Joe Foss, who later served as the 20th Governor of South Dakota (1955–1959).

In early 1942, the city approached the Federal Government and later leased the airport and surrounding property to become the Sioux Falls Army Air Field.

The base was also a logistical supply center and its grid of streets now make up an industrial area just south of the present day airport.

The Air National Guard Base portion of the airport is south and west of the commercial and general aviation areas, north of Russell Street, and has all the standard facilities of a small USAF installation except for family housing.

[6] In 2017 the airport had 73,221 aircraft operations, average 201 per day: 38% air taxi, 39% general aviation, 16% airline and 7% military.

Another long-term parking lot was built due to high demand; from August to September 2012, the airport was closed over a course of four weekends to almost all air traffic to allow a runway intersection to be rebuilt.

In 2014 work began to replace the dated escalators, to open and finish renovating the lobby of the terminal, and expand the security checkpoint.

Future projects include construction of additional holding aprons for aircraft at the end of each runway, continued pavement rehabilitation, completion of a west side access road, improvements to airport parking, a new control tower, new landing and updated navigational aids for all runways, additional land easements for flood control, runway safety zones, conservation efforts, an additional baggage carousel, a parking ramp and a new concourse.

On March 8, 1972, two people died after a Cessna arriving from Fairmont, Minnesota hit power lines on final approach.

[24] On June 16, 1981, one person died and three people were injured after a single-engine Cessna experienced engine failure and crashed on takeoff.

[24] On November 6, 1983, a Convair 580 operating for Republic Airways struck a bird on landing, which penetrated the windshield and hit the captain in the face.

[24] On April 8, 2018, an Allegiant Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-83 arriving from Las Vegas overran the runway due to snow and ice.