Volume 2, Issue 1 South Dakota Army National Guard Winter 2004
Page 2 Winter 2004

Sgt. 1st Class Kim Smith

and Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – 

Thanksgiving was a significant time for 

more than 70 South Dakota Army National 

Guard soldiers from the 109th Engineer 

Group and their families. The November 

holiday to give thanks marked the midpoint 

of a scheduled year-long deployment for the 

soldiers sent to Afghanistan to support the 

war on terrorism.

Departing in mid-May, the soldiers left 

the familiar surroundings and lifestyles 

of South Dakota for the barren, sandy, 

mountain-surrounded valley of Bagram 

Airfield, Afghanistan. For some, Bagram 

was but a stop before moving on to other 

locations – airfields, forward operating 

bases, or provincial reconstruction team 

sites – in the war-ravaged country.

The 109th serves as the headquarters for 

a Task Force affectionately called “Coyote” 

since the coyote patch is worn on the 

left shoulder of every South Dakota Army 

National Guard soldier. As the headquarters, 

the 109th has command and control of an 

international contingent of engineer units 

totaling more than 1,800 soldiers. Those 

include active duty, National Guard and 

Army Reserve units; engineer soldiers from 

Australia, Poland, Slovakia, and Korea; and 

contracted civilians.

The 109th’s mission involves supporting 

reconstruction within the war-torn country. 

That reconstruction includes providing 

tents, showers, and latrine facilities; 

building berms, bunkers, and guard towers; 

109th Engineer Group heads Task Force Coyote

Continued Task Force pg. 11

Local engineers receive 25th ID combat patch

Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – 

Soldiers of South Dakota’s 109th Engineer 

Group received the shoulder patch insignia 

of the 25th Infantry Division Thursday, 

Nov. 11, during a combat patch ceremony 

on Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. The 

combat patch, worn on the right shoulder, 

identifies soldiers who’ve served in a war 

zone and the unit they served under.

During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Eric 

T. Olsen, commander of the 25th Infantry 

Division, said the efforts of Task Force 

Coyote have made a visible impact on the 

country.

“Look around you, as far as the eye can 

see, you can see the contributions of Task 

Force Coyote,” Olsen said. “You have 

turned Bagram Airfield from a rundown 

Soviet built air base to a Pallet Projection 

Platform, and there is no way we could 

have done that without Combined Task 

Force Coyote.

“I am absolutely proud of each and every 

one of you,” he added. “It is important for 

me to hand each of you the 25th I.D. patch 

because it takes each and every one of you 

to accomplish the mission.” 

The ceremony took place on a concrete

In this issue

Stories

Soldiers teach English Pg. 4

Engineers help locals Pg. 5 

Is more money in sight? Pg. 5

Engineer projects Pg. 6, 7

Chaplain guides soldiers Pg. 7

Photo by Spc. Mark Watson

Task Force Coyote soldiers await their 

combat patch.

Continued Engineers pg. 8

Photo by Spc. Mark Watson

Sgt. 1st Class Tim Hinker talks with Afgan contractors in charge of projects around 

Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
Page 3 Winter 2004

AG Comments

I am delighted to wish you Season Greetings. 

This year the holiday season holds special 

meaning for Americans, and I am particularly 

grateful for the members of the South Dakota 

National Guard and their families.

The role of the citizen soldier/airman 

becomes more important - and more 

appreciated - than ever. Our state and nation 

depend on the premiere, community-based 

force of the South Dakota National Guard. 

You are America at its best!

For many of our deployed servicemen and 

women, this will be a 

season of separation from 

family, friends and loved 

ones. I appreciate your 

sacrifices and commend 

your willingness to 

serve and defend our 

country. Your presence 

across our homeland 

and abroad is a source 

of pride and reassurance 

for all Americans.

This holiday season, Americans are 

reflecting on what is most important to us: 

our faith, our family and friends, and our 

freedom, which you defend with honor and 

dignity. Thank you again, and may God bless 

you and your families as you continue your 

service to this great state and nation.

Michael A. Gorman, MG, SDNG

The Adjutant General

CSM Comments

The following letter is from the Rapid City 

Journal dated 22 Nov 04.

Thank you, veteran

Dear Veteran, Thank you for your service 

to our country. I really enjoy being an 

American. I would like to thank you for 

fighting for our country.

I really like having the freedom to say 

the things I want to say and do the things I 

want to do and go the places I want to go to. 

I also like have the right to go to school.

So thank you again for fighting for our 

country. - Austin Gutknecht, Age 10, Rapid 

City

I saw this letter and had him come into 

the office and gave him a coin for thinking 

and caring about our veterans. He is a fine 

young man. There is hope for our future 

generations. If any of your soldiers had the 

time to right him a letter. I know he would 

appreciate it.

Michael L. Birnbaum, CSM, SDARNG

State Command Sergeant Major

Commander’s Corner

Adjutant General

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Gorman

129th MPAD Commander

Maj. Joseph V. Jacobson

Chief Public Affairs/NCOIC

Master Sgt. Cal Crooks

Print OIC/Editor

1st Lt. Tony Deiss

Coyote Staff

2nd Lt. Stacy Spizzirri

2nd Lt. Sara Ward

Sgt. 1st Class Kim Smith

Sgt. Wes Nowitzki

Spc. Mark Watson

Pvt. Nick Fousek

SDNG PAO Staff

Lt. Col. Harold Walker

Sgt. 1st Class Don Matthews

Staff Sgt. Matt Johnson

The Coyote Magazine is an unofficial 

publication of the South Dakota Army 

National Guard, published quarterly 

on the South Dakota National Guard 

website: sdguard.ngb.army.mil for its 

soldiers. The Coyote is published by the 

129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 

Camp Rapid, 2823 West Main Street, 

Rapid City, South Dakota 57702, in 

accordance with AR 360-81.

Views and opinions expressed in this 

publication are not necessarily those of 

the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Contributions to the Coyote are 

encouraged. Send articles, photos and art 

to Editor, 129th MPAD, 2823 West Main 

Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57702, or 

e-mail:anthony.deiss@sd.ngb.army.mil
Page 4 Winter 2004

153rd Engineer Bn.

216th Engineer Det.

2nd Bn. 147th FA

(Iraq)

CONUS OCONUS

HHC 109th Engineer Group

(Afghanistan)

CURRENT SOUTH DAKOTA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENTS

Det. 3, Co. F, 238th Avn.

Det. 3, Co. A, 249th Avn.

 (At Mob. Station)

(Iraq)

Guardsmen help bridge language barrier

Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Half 

a world away from home, soldiers of 

the 109th Engineer Group are helping to 

rebuild Afghanistan alongside soldiers from 

Poland, Korea, Slovakia and Australia. 

Even though they face many challenges 

of serving in a war zone, some 109th 

soldiers are going out of their way to ease 

the challenge of working side-by-side 

soldiers who speak a different language.

One South Dakota soldier said what 

started as a requirement, handed down 

through his chain of command, soon 

became a pleasurable experience.

“I didn’t think I would enjoy (teaching),” 

said Sgt. Matt Christensen. “I thought 

it would be a pain because it was a 

requirement and not an option, and because 

of the language barrier. But since we began, it has been a lot of 

fun. I really enjoy the time we are able to spend together.”

Christensen, along with Spc. Andy Heymans, spend their 

Monday nights refining the English skills of their fellow Slovak 

engineers assigned to Task Force Coyote.

“Most of them speak very good English,” Heymans said. “The 

English they do speak is from Great Britain, and some of the words 

are different, so we just talk to them and correct their words or 

sentences when needed.”

They started out conducting the classes three nights a week, 

but have since slowed to just Mondays. Their teaching format has 

changed as well. 

“We did (have formal classes) at first, and they were not much 

fun,” Christensen said. “Then we chose to go informal and pretty 

much just talk, share stories and correct mistakes as needed.”

The sessions paid off and both said they have seen week-toweek improvement among their Slovakian students.

Just down the road more classes take place, this time with the 

Koreans. Since the previous group of Korean soldiers returned 

home, their American teachers haven’t had the chance to teach, but 

plans have been made to return to the classroom.

Sgt. Eric Luvaas will resume teaching English this time with the 

Korean engineers. Previously he taught at the Korean Hospital.

“I taught the Korean hospital staff,” Luvaas said. “I would 

find an article from the Internet that I thought they would find 

interesting and print them each a copy. Then I would have them

Photo by Spc. Mark Watson

Spc. Andy Heymans, right, and Sgt. Matt Christensen share a laugh with Slovak 

soldiers during on of their weekly English classes.

Continued Soldiers pg. 9
Page 5 Winter 2004

Starting from ground zero: Provincial

Reconstruction Teams build new beginnings

Sgt. 1st Class Kim Smith

129th MPAD

PROVINCIAL RECONSTRUCTION 

TEAM SITE SHARANA, Afghanistan 

– What was a barren, sandy landscape 

in early July is soon to be home to some 

150 soldiers, thanks to the efforts of two 

soldiers activated to Afghanistan with the 

South Dakota Army National Guard’s 

109th Engineer Group.

Maj. Patrick Pardy and Staff Sgt. 

Eric Jennings are part of a provincial 

reconstruction team (PRT) in an area near 

Sharana, Afghanistan. The two are the 

key engineers for a new PRT site being 

completed in the Paktika Province. Civil 

affairs and infantry soldiers round out the 

reconstruction team.

The new site measures 500-feet by 

600-feet. The walled site resembles a fort, 

complete with guard towers at each of the 

four corners. Everything the soldiers need 

to live is within the walls: living quarters, 

water from a newly-dug well, shower and 

laundry facilities, and a common area.

A key building within the new site is a 

Civil Military Operation Center (CMOC), 

where civil affairs soldiers will meet with 

contractors and local elders to discuss 

proposed projects such as schools, irrigation 

wells, latrines, and septic systems.

“Our primary mission here is to 

reconstruct the province,” said Jennings. 

“We’re here to support the Afghan people 

with new construction, build their trust in 

us, and win their hearts and minds.”

Jennings said none of the projects are 

pursued without the province governor’s 

approval. “We work directly with the 

(province) governor and make sure he 

approves of constructions done in his 

province.”

“We’re very proud of (the new PRT 

site),” said Jennings. “It was built up from 

nothing.”

As the lone engineers on the 

reconstruction team, Pardy and Jennings 

worked closely with the five contractors on 

the site project to ensure quality control, 

the project was completed to specifications, 

and any necessary adjustments were made 

to the contract.

Photo by Spc. Mark Watson

Staff Sgt. Eric Jennings talks to a local boy with the help of his interpreter, Assad. 

The boy, along with other locals, work in the Sharana Provincial Reconstruction 

Team site which will soon help rebuild the area in and around Sharana.

Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

Some South Dakota National Guard 

soldiers may see a little extra green for 

their service. The South Dakota Veterans 

Bonus program is offering a bonus to 

South Dakota soldiers who have served on 

active duty. 

Since 9-11, 2,573 South Dakota National 

Guard soldiers are eligible for the bonus. 

“For service between the dates of 

January 1, 1993 through September 10, 

2001 payment will be made only to those 

who served overseas and were awarded 

the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, 

Southwest Asia Service medal, Kosovo 

campaign medal or any other United States 

campaign or service medal awarded for 

participation in combat operations against 

hostile forces,” according to a State of 

South Dakota press release. 

This bonus isn’t just for soldiers sent 

overseas. Soldiers who served in nonhostile areas since 9-11 are also eligible for 

the bonus. 

This isn’t the first time the state paid 

veterans bonuses. Soldiers since World War 

I have received the reward. The most recent 

bonus was issued shortly after Operations 

Desert Shield and Storm. During that time 

6,764 South Dakota residents received a 

total of 2.3 million dollars. 

For more info on the bonus or to receive 

an application, contact a local veteran 

service office or call (605) 773-4656.

South Dakota soldiers eligible for bonuses

Continued PRT pg. 9
Page 6 Winter 2004

Rapid City soldier designs engineer projects

Sgt. 1st Class Kim Smith

129th MPAD

FORWARDING OPERATING BASE 

SALERNO, Afghanistan – Sgt. Teryl 

Stacey is the lone soldier from the 109th 

Engineer Group at a forward operating 

base (FOB) near Salerno, Afghanistan.

Col. Nancy Wetherill, 109th Group 

commander, calls Salerno “one of the largest 

forward operating bases in Afghanistan.” 

Because of its size and close proximity to 

the Pakistan border, a large contingent of 

engineers and supporting infantry soldiers 

are stationed at the base.

Stacey works closely with the 416th 

Engineer Command, U.S. Army Reserve, 

to reconstruct the former air base. He 

also oversees projects being done by local 

contractors to ensure projects are being 

completed according to specifications.

“I work as a city planner of sorts,” said 

Stacey, who was a civil engineering student 

at the South Dakota School of Mines and 

Technology in Rapid City before being 

deployed to Afghanistan with the 109th 

Group to support Operation Enduring 

Freedom. His computer aided drafting 

(CAD) skills help engineers choose good 

locations where new facilities should be 

built on the base, where underground 

utilities should be located, and with 

structure and utility line design work.

“I do a lot of design work,” said Stacey, 

who added that his CAD designs have been 

used to build a military hospital at Bagram 

Airfield and reportedly been used to build 

three schools for Afghan children.

Other engineer projects at Salerno 

include construction of a brigade-sized 

tactical operations center, Marine command 

operations center, regional interrogation 

facility, and buildings to house soldiers 

living at the base. Smaller projects include 

pouring a large concrete slab to be used as a 

wash point and the addition of a concrete

Photo by Spc. Mark Watson

Sgt. Teryl Stacey inspects a building under construction on Forward Operating 

Base Salerno, near the Pakistan border. Stacey, the lone South Dakota soldier on 

the base, was picked for the job because of his computer aided drafting skills.

South Dakota guardsman saves child's life

Sgt. Wes Nowitzki

129th MPAD

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE – Long 

hours over many days were spent checking 

identification cards and protecting the 

valuable contents inside the gates perimeter, 

each day playing over and over like a broken 

record, until one day a life is saved and a 

guardsmen named Spc. Nicholas Patterson 

became a hero.

Patterson was patrolling the Entry Point, 

Liberty Gate, at Ellsworth Aug. 13, when a 

frantic woman erratically drove up to him 

in desperate need. Her child was choking 

and his lips were becoming discolored. 

Using his knowledge of the Baby 

Heimlich Maneuver, Patterson immediately 

helped dislodge the foreign object from 

the baby’s air passage. With a medical 

team on the way, Patterson and the mother 

continued to watch over the baby until the 

medics arrived on the scene. 

Spc. Patterson received the Army 

Commendation Medal for his meritorious 

action. In February 2003, Patterson was 

activated with South Dakota National 

Guard’s 665th Maintenance Company, 

Mitchell, with a detachment in Rapid City, 

to provide security at Ellsworth Air Force 

Base near Rapid City and Joe Foss Field in 

Sioux Falls.

Continued Student pg. 9

Photo by 1st Lt. Anthony Deiss

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Gorman pins the 

Army Commendation Medal to Spc. 

Nicholas Patterson. 
Page 7 Winter 2004

Chaplain guides soldiers in Afghanistan

Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – 

Winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan 

people is a goal the coalition forces have to 

win the war on terrorism, but who wins the 

hearts and minds of the soldiers who face 

the stresses and difficulties of being away 

from home for more than a year?

A good portion of that task falls on 

the shoulders of the military chaplains. 

For the 109th Engineer Group, deployed 

to Afghanistan, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John 

Holzhauser, a Roman Catholic priest, 

counsels soldiers and delivers words of 

spiritual peace on a daily basis.

“It has been quite rewarding to work 

with all the soldiers and airmen of the South 

Dakota Guard,” Holzhauser said. “But 

here it has been more rewarding because I 

am able to work with every branch of the 

service, as well as coalition soldiers from 

other countries.”

Holzhauser is the chief coordinator for 

all services in the Regional Command East 

section of Afghanistan covering more than 

a dozen bases in the east-central part of 

the country.

Holzhauser tries 

to cover every area 

in his section at 

least twice a month, 

but there are always 

challenges he must 

overcome.

“Religiously the 

most challenging 

thing is to encourage 

the soldiers to keep their faith and trust,” 

he said. “But really the biggest challenge 

is the logistics in getting from one place to 

another.”

With very few roads in the war-torn 

country and the tremendous amount 

of distance between bases, ground 

transportation is virtually out of the 

question. Nearly all movement is done by 

aircraft.

While he tries to deliver only good 

news, hope and inspiration, Holzhauser 

encounters mixed reactions from time-totime.

“I get two responses from the soldiers,” 

he said. “One is when they see a chaplain 

they respond hesitantly because he may 

bring a Red Cross message with negative 

news. The other is to embrace the chaplain 

because he brings a message of hope, 

encouragement and faith.”

Beyond delivering God’s word to the 

troops, Holzhauser also serves a crisis 

counselor. 

Whenever a serious incident happens 

within the region he covers, he and his 

chaplain assistant, Sgt. Christian Johnson, 

head to the incident site as soon as possible. 

Once there, Johnson triages the people 

involved for mental and spiritual suffering, 

then Holzhauser works with the soldiers.

Following a recent ambush in the 

eastern part of the country, he traveled to 

the soldiers’ base camp and counseled all 

the soldiers involved. In this instance, 

Holzhauser also performed a memorial 

service and ceremony for an Iowa National 

Guard soldier who was killed in the 

ambush. 

Although it is a difficult job, he added 

helping soldiers is fulfilling.

“It is very rewarding to help people 

recover and cope with their loss,” he said.

Engineers lead massive road 

building project through country

Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

SOMEWHERE NORTH OF KANDAHAR, Afghanistan 

– Deep in the heart of Taliban country members of the 109th 

Engineer Group help bridge the vast expanse of nothingness 

from Kandahar to Tarin Kowt with a road.

The road marks the start of a major north to south road system 

through the middle of the country.

“The road infrastructure here is very limited so any 

improvement is a big benefit,” said Lt. Col. Bill Freidel, Group’s 

operations officer. “A trip that took nine to ten hours will now 

take two to three hours. It will open up the ability of the central 

government to get to the people and for the people to get to the 

larger cities to market their agricultural products.”

The road project is a combined effort of a company and a 

half of combat engineers, de-miners, surveyors, security forces 

and coordinators. 

The construction began in August and throughout the next 

two years soldiers will pave the way over mountain passes to 

complete the 150 kilometer project. The soldiers will place 

gravel and culverts where needed, and a local national contractor 

will chip seal the road. This will create a road that coalition 

forces and locals can use to make travel more efficient.

“There have been a lot of challenges,” Freidel said, “material 

and culverts not being delivered on time, equipment breaking 

down and (repair) part shortages, the enemy and just building a 

road in a very isolated location.”

Holzhauser
Page 8 Winter 2004

pad that members of Combined Task Force 

Coyote cleared, leveled and then poured 

for parking aircraft which will allow the 

airbase to take in more supplies, equipment 

and soldiers. 

The task force includes members of the 

Army National Guard, Reserves and Air 

National Guard as well as soldiers from 

Korea, Poland, Slovakia, Australia and a 

group of civilian de-miners.

Receiving the patch means different 

things to different soldiers.

“It means that we’ve come together 

as one team and fought the war on 

terrorism here in Afghanistan,” said Spc. 

Chelaine Knudson, a member of the 

665th Maintenance Company until she 

volunteered to deploy with the 109th. 

“I wanted to be a part of this and to 

protect my family from terrorism,” she 

said. “The only way I figured I could do 

that was to come here for a year.”

For some, receiving the patch gives them 

a sense of accomplishment.

“It gives me a sense of pride to be here,” 

said Sgt. Chad Brooks. “Not every unit has 

had the chance to deploy and serve their 

country, so to be able to be here is doing 

something special by serving the United 

States.”

From the lowest ranking private to the 

commander of the task force, most soldiers 

said receiving the combat patch was a 

significant moment.

“November 11th is a significant date in 

that it is Veterans’ Day and the date that 

many Task Force Coyote soldiers, airmen, 

coalition partners and civilian contractors 

will receive their first Shoulder Sleeve 

Insignia for foreign wartime service,” said 

Col. Nancy Wetherill, commander of the 

109th Engineer Group. “For some it took 

only two years of service or less to earn 

a combat patch. For others it has taken 

longer. Timing is everything, they say; 

in my case it has taken 30 years. But no 

matter how long it has taken, it is still a 

significant moment to remember.”

Some have said if they don’t remember 

their deployment, they won’t remember 

anything in their lives. The patch will serve 

as a constant reminder of their service and 

sacrifice.

“This is definitely new, it’s my first 

deployment,” Brooks said. “I will always 

know whenever I glance down at my right 

shoulder at the patch what I did here."

Continued from pg. 2

Photo by Spc. Mark Watson

Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olsen, left, commander of the 25th Infantry Division, hands Spc. 

Chelaine Knudson, the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 25th ID. The patch will be 

worn on the right shoulder serving as her “combat patch.”

PREP available for soldiers and spouses

PREP: The Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program is a research based approach to teaching couples how to communicate effectively, 

work as a team to solve problems, manage conflicts without damaging closeness and preserve and enhance love, commitment and friendship. The 

PREP approach is based on 25 years of research in the field of martial health and success. The Family Readiness Office in conjunction with the 

State Chaplain’s Office will be offering 3 couple’s retreats in 2005. They are as follows: January 14-16 in Rapid City, March 11-13 in Sioux 

Falls (tentative) or April 29, 30 & May 1 in Watertown (tentative).

The first retreat will be limited to 12 couples, and the following retreats will be limited to 20 couples with members from returning deployed 

units having priority. There will be a nonrefundable registration fee of $20. All other costs will be covered. Child care costs will be reimbursed, 

but child care will not be provided on site. Retreats begin Friday evening at 7 pm and conclude at noon on Sunday. To register or for additional 

information call or e-mail the Family Readiness Office at: 800-658-3930 or familyprogram@sd.ngb.army.mil .

Ceremony marks half-way point of deployment
Page 9 Winter 2004

each read a paragraph.”

Although most of the Koreans spoke good English to begin 

with, Luvaas, who is also half Korean, said he helped them with 

reading and writing.

“They made pretty good progress,” he said. “When we would 

just sit and chat, they began to talk better after a while. It was 

mainly their pronunciation I had to work on.” 

He added he would also have to explain certain words to them. 

“In English it seems as if one word can have eight meanings,” 

he said. “It was challenging to explain the meaning of the words 

in certain sentences.”

Luvaas said for example words like “their,” “there” and 

“they’re” were challenging. Also some slang words were difficult 

to explain.

“Words like ‘cool’ were tough,” he added. “It wasn’t cool to the 

touch; it had a different meaning.”

For all the soldiers involved with helping their coalition 

partners learn English, they said the satisfaction of helping bridge 

the language barrier is not as great as learning about each other’s 

cultures, customs, and differences as well as the bonds made 

during the classes.

“The relationships we made were more rewarding to me than the 

classes,” said Maj. Bryan Jacobson, who along with another 109th 

soldier, spent time teaching English to their Korean counterparts.

Christensen agreed and said learning about the different people 

was very rewarding.

“I really enjoy going,” Christensen said. “The best part is 

the camaraderie, the friendship and learning about the different 

cultures.”

“It’s not a hassle for me anymore,” he said. “Now I see attending 

the classes as a privilege and not a requirement.”

Soldiers help coalition members learn English

Continued from pg. 4

PRT to win hearts, minds of locals

Barriers had to be overcome to accomplish 

a mission that involves interaction with the 

local population in Afghanistan. Among 

the barriers were additional protective 

equipment, language, and the threat of 

enemy attack. Whenever soldiers leave a 

base camp area they must put on several 

extra pounds of equipment that includes 

individual body armor, Kevlar helmet, 

weapon, and ammunition. The language 

barrier is overcome through interpreters 

contracted to help soldiers when dealing with 

the local population. 

One of Jennings’ 

interpreters, Assad, 

has been working with 

coalition forces for 18 

months.

“I know that 

Americans are in 

Afghanistan to help 

Afghani people,” said Assad, who learned 

English while studying in Pakistan, “and I 

like to help my people.”

To offset the threat of attacks from the 

enemy when the team leaves the base camp, 

they travel in convoys of several vehicles, 

have at least one armored Humvee with a 

machine gunner, and often have air support 

checking the road ahead for potential 

danger. 

The new PRT site is but one project the 

province reconstruction team will complete, 

but it is a key one from which the team’s 

soldiers will operate until it is turned over 

to Afghanistan’s army at some future point 

when the United States military leaves 

Afghanistan.

Continued from pg. 5

batch plant on the base that can be used for the many concrete-related 

projects being done to reconstruct the base.

“Around this country, brick and mortar, and concrete are all that really 

last,” said Stacey. “It’s just not a climate for wood, because it deteriorates 

too fast.”

While contractors generally build according to specifications, 

according to Stacey, he recalls one occasion where the contractor 

substituted pieces from the doors of an old pickup truck where 1/8th inch 

steel center plates were to be used under support beams. “I had to get 

with the contractor and tell him, ‘No, you’ve got to get me some of the 

good stuff,’” he said.

Stacey also says Afghan masons are not accustomed to placing mortar 

between bricks. “We had to teach them about buttering in between 

bricks,” he said. “Apparently, they never did that here, so we’re teaching 

them that this is how we want it.”

Student inspects projects

Continued from pg. 6

Photo by Spc. Mark Watson

Sgt. Teryl Stacey inspects a building at FOB Salerno.

Jennings
Page 10 Winter 2004

Job well done 

665th & 1085th!

Photos by Sgt. Wes Nowitzki

Lt. Col. Ronald Ward talks to a senior citizen after he delivered 

a Christmas basket. Members of the South Dakota National 

Guard delivered the baskets to two senior living homes in 

Rapid City. The baskets are put together by the United Way 

and have been delivered by the Guard for the past several 

years.

Spc. Waylon Skelton delivers a Christmas basket to the 

elderly Dec. 5. (right)

Christmas giving

Photo by Spc. Mark Watson

The 665th Maintenance Company of Mitchell, with a detachment 

in Rapid City, returned for a homecoming ceremony Dec. 5.

The 665th provided security at Ellsworth Air Force Base near 

Rapid City and Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls. 

The 1085th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) of Rapid 

City, returned for a homecoming ceremony Nov. 7. The

unit provided air ambulance support during their 11-month 

deployment to Kosovo. (right) Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Don Matthews
Page 11 Winter 2004

The Army Guard Credit Union on Camp Rapid is proud to 

have their name displayed along with this meaningful wreath. 

Our theme “I’ll be home for Christmas” was chosen to reflect 

the American Spirit not only in our community but around 

the globe.

This patriotic wreath includes a part of the very same 

uniform our troops are wearing as they fight the global war 

on terrorism.

The soldiers’ sleeves represent the strength of our patriotism 

and the warmth of their family’s embrace. The silver and gold 

that serve to decorate this wreath are the very same worn on 

our soldiers’ uniforms.

The South Dakota Army National Guard created the 

personalized dog tag which reads: “Christmas 2004” and 

“United We Stand”. Also included with the wreath is a 

print on canvas by South Dakota artist Terry Redlin titled 

“The Pleasures of Winter”. This print was chosen to make a 

distinction between the soldiers’ everyday situation in their 

world and the beauty and serenity of our world on this holiday 

season.

The South Dakota National Guard continues to have one 

of the highest deployment rates in the nation. We all know 

someone who has been affected by this war. This Holiday 

Season, as you enjoy the company of your family, let us 

remember our troops away from home who truly believe:

“I’ll be home for Christmas - If only in my dreams”.

The “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” wreath will be raffled 

as a fund raiser for the South Dakota National Guard Family 

Assistance Program. Raffle tickets are available by calling 

1-800-734-8273, or contact your local SDARNG Family 

Assistance Group Leader. 

Credit Union Raffles Wreath Task Force rebuilds 

war-torn nation

constructing living, learning, and working facilities; removing 

some of the estimated millions of land mines; and building roads.

“The biggest challenge in Afghanistan is getting the soldiers, 

the materials, and the equipment to the site,” said Col. Nancy 

Wetherill, 109th and Task Force Coyote commander. “There 

are very few roads here. Any of the roads that are here are very 

rough.”

Danger is a part of life for soldiers in Afghanistan as in 

all combat zones, but training, preparations, and protective 

equipment have made dealing with the dangers that are presented 

in Afghanistan almost second nature to the soldiers.

“Giant voice” booms over a loudspeaker warning all on Bagram 

to take shelter in a bunker when an attack on the base is imminent 

or occurring.

Although they are in a combat zone, one soldier even said it is 

safer in Bagram than at the Sturgis Rally.

Vehicles carrying soldiers travel in convoys whenever they 

leave a military site. Soldiers wear individual body armor, a 

Kevlar helmet, and carry a loaded weapon with accompanying 

ammunition. Ground vehicles are generally escorted by an uparmored Humvee with a machine gunner in the turret watching all 

directions for possible danger.

Mine teams diligently work daily to remove mines from 

identified mine areas throughout Afghanistan. On Bagram, those 

teams consist of active duty teams with trained mine dogs, Polish 

and Australian military de-miners, and civilian de-miners. Several 

types of up-armored and remote control de-mining vehicles are 

also used to remove mines.

For 109th soldiers on Bagram Airfield, the running joke is that it 

is “Groundhog Day,” because each day is quite similar to the day 

before. Little changes in their daily mission, the weather, or the 

food from one day to the next.

Weekly highlights include Tuesday morning football, which 

is really “Monday Night Football” on Tuesday morning because 

of the 11-hour time difference from South Dakota, and “Steak 

and Seafood” night every Friday night to break the monotony of 

chicken and pork dishes served daily for lunch and dinner the rest 

of the week.

Some 109th soldiers are fostering international relations with 

other soldiers within Task Force Coyote. 

Several teach English to soldiers from Korea and Slovakia on 

a weekly basis. And a small group of 109th members play soccer 

against the other nations that make up the task force.

“All in all, if we have to be activated to support the war on 

terrorism,” said Wetherill, “there are a lot worse places than 

Afghanistan to be stationed.”

Continued from pg. 2
Page 12 Winter 2004

1st Lt. Anthony Deiss

129th MPAD

RAPID CITY – The success and strength 

of our armed forces doesn’t just lie in its 

servicemen and women, it also lies in the 

communities that support them. 

The support the soldiers and airmen of 

the South Dakota National Guard, and 

the airmen of Ellsworth Air Force Base, 

receive from family members, employers 

and their communities, positively effects 

their morale and well-being. This support 

gives the service member added peaceof-mind, and it allows them to be more 

successful in their duties. 

Several Rapid City businesses have 

contributed to that support and received 

recognition on November 4 at Camp 

Rapid, for their participation in Operation 

Yellow Ribbon. Operation Yellow Ribbon 

is a program that uses money generated 

from the sale of magnetic ribbons to 

support deployed soldiers, airmen and 

their families. 

It’s hard to miss these symbols of 

soldier support, as you can see them 

on many vehicles on the road. With the 

words “Support Our Troops” printed on 

the ribbons they come in yellow, as well 

as red, white and blue and in a variety of 

styles.

The Operation Yellow Ribbon program 

is organized by the Family Readiness 

Program of Joint Force Headquarters 

Detachment and partners with local 

businesses who sell the ribbons.

Local business that were recognized 

for their continuing support in Operation 

Yellow Ribbon are: Graffi tti’s Car Wash, 

Black Hills RV Service Center, Winkler’s 

Chiropractic, Army Guard Federal Credit 

Union, Best Western Town & Country 

Inn, Burger King and I-90 Amoco.

 “These businesses have really made 

this program successful in generating 

revenue for the troops and their families,” 

said Eugene L. Deyo, lead volunteer for 

the Family Readiness Program. 

The funds raised from Operation Yellow 

Ribbon support the deployed soldiers and 

airmen in several ways. It provides care 

packages for service members. It buys 

school supplies for service members to 

distribute to Iraqi children. The funds 

generated also supports those families 

of the service members who need a 

little fi nancial assistance. Currently, the 

operation is establishing an endowment 

to support future service members who 

deploy.

These are just a few ways, which 

revenue generated from the selling of 

the magnetic ribbons, is supporting our 

deployed troops. However, the ribbons 

serve as something more.

“The primary purpose of the yellow 

ribbon is to serve as a reminder of the 

soldiers and airmen serving abroad,” said 

Deyo. “We can never forget the sacrifi ces 

they are making for our country.”

Everyday our communities are doing 

things to show support for our men and 

women in uniform. But regardless if a 

soldier receives school supplies for Iraqi 

children or an airman receives a care 

package, perhaps the greatest comfort 

to our service men and women lies in 

knowing that the American citizen is 

behind them.

Local businesses support Operation Yellow Ribbon

Barb Stout, a lead family support volunteer for the 200th Engineer Company, received 

the Very Important Patriot Award. Stout became a volunteer after her husband was 

activated to serve his country during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Not knowing what lie 

ahead, Barb also answered the call, and began to volunteer her time to the unit’s support 

group. 

Her duties and dedication to this truly just cause, led her into the vital role as the 

Unit Lead Volunteer. She spearheaded many activities to boost the moral of the troops 

deployed and the families at home. She coordinated community and family support by 

organizing care packages that were sent to soldiers on a monthly basis, started fundraising efforts that paid for postage for care packages, supported families back home 

during diffi cult times and also supported soldiers that had to return during emergencies, 

and organized youth activities such as counseling for youth on a biweekly basis, various 

fun activities to include, bowling, swimming, picnics and various special holiday 

events.

Stout accepted the award in Washington, D.C., in early December.

Volunteer receives award

Barb Stout with Army National Guard 

Director Lt. Gen Roger C. Schultz.