On July 19 , 1989 , Sioux City IAP / Sioux City ANG was the emergency landing site for United Airlines Flight 232 after a catastrophic failure of the plane 's hydraulic system . The emergency landing happened to coincide with an activation of the base 's Air National Guard force , which provided the maximum manpower on the airport including the firefighting forces of the local Air National Guard unit . The ANG firefighter 's were only equipped to handle small commuter and Air Force A-7 aircraft , rather than a widebody jet such as the DC-10 . It is widely recognized that the efforts of the Air Guardsmen at the Sioux City Airport contributed to many lives being saved after the crash of UA 232
United Airlines Flight 232
United Airlines Flight 232
Sioux City Air National Guard Base