Volume 1, Issue 3 Summer 2004

State mourns deaths of soldiers

South Dakota Army National Guard

By Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

South Dakota mourned the loss of two

guardsmen in April when Sgt. Dennis

Morgan and Staff Sgt. Cory Brooks were

killed in Iraq.

Morgan, 23, from Valentine, Neb., was

assigned to Detachment 1, Company A,

153rd Engineer Battalion, located in

Winner, S.D. He was the first South

Dakota guardsman

killed in action since

World War II. He was

killed April 17 when his

armored personal carrier

was hit by an improvised

explosive device.

The following statement was prepared by

Morgans’ family.

Dennis Bryan Morgan

was born January 8,

1982, in Valentine, Neb.

He was killed serving his

country on April 17,

2004, in Al Iskandariyah,

Iraq.

Dennis graduated from

Winner High School with

the class of 2000. He

enlisted in the National

Guard on March 30, 2000.

Dennis married Cassie Jo Hockenbary

in Valentine, Neb., on November 29, 2003.

They made their home in Valentine, where

Cassie worked and waited for his return. 

Dennis ranched and also worked for the

Lamb Pest Control until the 153rd

Engineer Battalion, that he was a member

of, was called to serve in Iraq.

He was a member of the Legion Post

#169 of Winner and the Evangelical Free

Church in Valentine. Dennis enjoyed

working on vehicles, dirt biking, killing

rattlesnakes, searching for artifacts,

watching movies, listening to music and

spending time with his wife, family and

friends.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Cassie Jo

(Hockenbary) Morgan, of Valentine,

mother Diane Mangelsen, brothers Lee

and Wayne Mangelsen, mother-in-law and

father-in-law Lawrence and Tera

Hockenbary, brother-in-law Blane

Hockenbary, special grandparents Art and

Doris Morgan, Murrin and Shirley Keffler,

Rodney and Theresa Hockenbary,

stepfather Carl Mangelsen and many other

special family and friends.

Six days later, Brooks, from Philip, S.D.,

also assigned to Detachment 1, died April

23 from a non-combat incident.

Brooks’ family issued the following

statement.

Cory’s family and friends were as proud

of him in death as they were in his life.

Cory’s tender heart and healthy laugh

touched everyone that he met. He died

doing what meant the most to him. His last

correspondence reflected a proud soldier

who loved his family very much and longed

for the day he would be home to see those

who meant the most to him.

Brooks, 32, leaves behind a mother and

father, Darral and Marilyn Brooks of

Philip, S.D. and a sister and brother-inlaw, Angi and Mike Kiewel of Rapid City.

Cory loved his nephew

and niece, Hunter and

Hannah Kiewel with all

of his heart. Cory also

leaves behind a very

special, loving and

trusted friend, Heidi

Linngren of Rapid City.

Cory graduated from

Law School at the

University of South

Dakota in December of

2000. On that same date,

he received a Master’s of

Science in Administrative

Studies.

He had retuned home

to Philip after graduation

to pursue his career and

spend time on his family’s

ranch, with his very large

yellow lab, Zeke, both of which he loved

very much.

In addition to those mentioned, Cory left

behind many, many, close relatives and

friends. The family asks for peace at this

time and that everyone keep them in their

thoughts and prayers.

Brooks joined the Guard in May of 1989

as a combat engineer. He was promoted to

Staff Sergeant in September of 1999. His

unit deployed to Iraq Feb. 21.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Gorman, the

adjutant general, said both Morgan and

Brooks were exemplary soldiers.

“The great soldiers, both were very

dedicated,” Gorman said. “Neither were

afraid to jump in to volunteer and get the

job done.”

In this issue

Stories

Rifle competition results Pg. 3

From the Chaplain Pg. 3 

Extension bonuses Pg. 4

Unit homecomings Pg. 5&7

1085th fire training Pg. 9

Dennis Morgan Cory Brooks
Page 2 Summer 2004

CSM Comments

We have a lot of things going on in the South

Dakota National Guard at this time. South Dakota

has many soldiers deployed overseas and here in the

state. Soldiers are doing what has been asked of

them. Even more important are the sacrifices the

families are making. 

I will tell you that none of us several years ago

would have dreamt that we in the South Dakota

Guard would be doing what we are today. How is

this going to effect the future of the South Dakota

Guard? I, for one, don’t know the total effect it will

have on the Guard. I believe that what is happening

today will effect us in the South Dakota Guard for

sometime to come. 

I ask myself, how will what we are doing today

effect recruiting and retention? Will soldiers stay in

the Guard when their deployments are over? Will

their families support the soldier staying in the

Guard? Will their employers still support us? Each

of us serving in the South Dakota Guard need to do

everything we can to support our soldiers and

families and employers in

anyway we can. 

Many soldiers’ jobs are

to support the deployed

soldier but what about the

soldiers working at home

station? Are we stressing

them? Are we supporting

them also? 

These are just a few of

the questions that keep running through my mind. I

believe that each soldier and family needs to

evaluate their own lives. You soldiers need to look at

what has happened to you and what is best for

yourself and your families. 

I would like to see all of you stay in the Guard

but it is your decision. I want to thank all of you for

what service you have given. 

Michael L. Birnbaum

CSM, SDARNG

State Command Sergeant Major

AG Comments

As I write this message to you, we have just been

processing the 1742nd Transportation Company

through Fort Carson for their demobilization. This is

always a pleasure to do, and I am looking forward to

doing the same soon for the 740th and the 842nd

(both units were extended in theater) and all other

units when their time comes.

As the Adjutant General for the state of South

Dakota, I have three primary responsibilities. I am

the commanding general for our Army and Air

National Guard, I am in charge of the Division of

Veteran’s Affairs for the state of South Dakota, and I

am in charge of the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State

Veterans’ Home at Hot Springs.

Lately, I have been busy in all three capacities. A

great many of you have recently qualified as

“veterans” under state law, so I think I should

address some of what we have been doing lately in

that arena.

I am truly concerned that all veterans understand

the benefits and entitlements they have earned and

that they know how to access those benefits and

entitlements. These benefits can range from routine

issues – like education benefits, or getting your

South Dakota veteran’s bonus – to getting help if you

have emotional issues adjusting back to your civilian

life after deployment. Somewhere, in between, lay

all the issues of obtaining medical care from the

veterans’ administration system to filing a claim for

benefits.

I want you to know that we are being proactive

in making sure you understand what you have earned

and how you obtain the benefits that you are eligible

to receive.

With that in mind, I want to tell you about some

innovative things that we

have been doing recently for

units returning and those still

deployed.

A lot of this is about

education, or giving you the

right folks to contact

regardless of your issue. We

have sent teams from our

Division of Veterans’ Affairs

and our County Veterans’

Service Officers to the mobilization station to brief

our returning units about their benefits. In addition,

we have sent similar teams to your Family Support

Group meetings to explain the same benefit package.

We have also met with the Human Services

agencies of state government and with the Vet

Centers in Rapid City and Sioux Falls to ensure that

assistance is available to address readjustment

issues. I can assure you that it is ... for both you and

your family on a no-cost basis. I would encourage

you to take advantage of the available support. Many

of the issues that you and/or your family will face in

readjustment are a normal part of your getting reengaged with the life you left behind. It is far better

that you seek assistance with these trained

professionals versus attempting to “tough it out” and

end up thinking what is happening to you is beyond

repair.

You will receive many packets full of handouts

when you demobilize. Your families will get the

same information. If you have any trouble sorting it

all out, please call Michele Anderson at our family

assistance center in Rapid City at 1-800-658-3930 or

your County Veterans’ Service Officer.

We are all proud of the fact that we have been

proactive in this regard and I want to thank all who

have made this work. Remember that you are

important to us as soldiers, airmen, and now, in most

cases, as veterans. My pride in your

accomplishments is immense! Thank you and

welcome home!

Michael A. Gorman

MG, SDNG

The Adjutant General

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

Sgt. 1st Class Kim Smith

Sgt. Wes Nowitzki

Spc. Mark Watson

Spc. Shannon Crane

SDNG PAO Staff

Lt. Col. Harold Walker

Sgt. 1st Class Don Matthews

Mr. Roger Anderson

The Coyote Magazine is an unofficial

publication of the South Dakota Army

National Guard, published quarterly on

the South Dakota National Guard

website: www.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, S.D. 57702, or 

e-mail:anthony.deiss@us.army.mil
Page 3 Summer 2004

By Sgt. Wes Nowitzki

129th MPAD

This year’s Adjutant General’s Indoor Shooting Match, which was

held in Mitchell and Rapid City on different weekends, brought in

over 50 soldiers from around the state.

The soldiers participating in the match were required to shoot in

four different disciplines: combat rifle, combat pistol, small bore

rifle, and small bore pistol. 

“It is kind of a moving run and gun type of a match that consists of

standing, sitting, kneeling, and prone positions,” said Sgt. 1st Class

Phillip Lakner, marksmanship trainer for Joint Force Headquarters

South Dakota. “Sometimes different positions all in one match.”

One scenario in the rifle and pistol combat disciplines is the soldier

shoots the first shot standing up, then drops to the kneeling position

and fires the second shot. The soldiers must complete this task in

seven seconds. There are other scenarios with different positions and

time limits. These scenarios require the soldier to be quick-aimed and

agile. 

“This type of a match is basically focused towards a combat style

of shooting,” said Lakner. “The other two disciplines are more

focused on concentration, relaxing and accuracy.”

Small bore rifle and pistol uses a bull’s-eye-shooting target. The

shooters have 10 rounds and 10 minutes to accurately hit a bull’s-eye

that is smaller than a .22 bullet. 

“It makes an individual control their body to shoot in a precision

style that carries over to combat training because their accuracy

improves,” said Lakner.

The indoor match isn’t the only competition of the year. The South

Dakota Army National Guard also held an Adjutant General’s

Outdoor Match, which was May 22–23 at the Guard ranges at West

Camp Rapid. The outdoor competition is similar to the indoor match.

It has a rifle, pistol, machinegun, and sniper contest. 

These competitions promote battle-focused marksmanship training

and are available for all soldiers and airmen in the South Dakota

Army National Guard and Air Guard. The top shooters at these

competitions will have the chance to represent the South Dakota

Guard at national competitions held around the United States. 

The winners for the indoor shooting match are as follows: Combat

Rifle and Small Bore Rifle, Sgt. 1st Class David P. Mutziger, 665th

Maintenance Company; Combat Pistol, Staff Sgt. Michael S. Witte,

114th Fighter Wing; and Small Bore Pistol, Master Sgt. Chris S.

Dyes, 114th.

The winners for the individual outdoor shooting match are as

follows: Combat Rifle, Sgt. 1st Class Mutziger; Combat Pistol, Sgt.

Richard Zolnowsky, 88th Troop Command; Combat Pistol

Excellence in Competition, Lt. Col. Harold Walker, Joint Force

Headquarters; Machine Gun, Sgt. Loren Gregerson 665th; and

Sniper, Staff Sgt. Witte.

The team championship winners for the Combat Rifle and Combat

Pistol were Joint Force Headquarters and 88th Troop Command

teams. The Joint Force team members were Lakner, Chief Warrant

Officer James McGuire, and Walker. Troop Command team

members were Mutziger, Zolnowsky, and Staff Sgt. Marlyn Heckel.

For information call 605-737-6526 or send an e-mail to

john.gregor@sd.ngb.army.mil.

Competition lists winners From the Chaplain

Being sent with one’s unit to annual training can be both

challenging and stressful. When it’s hot, it’s easy to get

dehydrated, feel grungy and tired, and be irritable. When it’s

cool and wet, it’s easy to complain about the wet boots, the

chills, the lack of dry clothing, and be irritable. Being irritable is

a human condition when things don’t go our way. It’s easy to be

short with others when they don’t read our minds as effectively

as we’d like them to. So, here’s some advice to get along better

with your fellow workers and soldiers when conditions aren’t

optimal.

First, follow this advice that the Apostle Paul wrote from his

prison cell: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:

Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) If Paul could write this from prison,

surely we should be able to rejoice in God’s gift of life if all we

have to deal with are some minor weather-related inconveniences

or irritable fellow soldiers.

Second, pray about your situation rather than complain about it.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer

and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

(Philippians 4:6) Prayer connects us with the infinite creative

power of God. Complaining focuses on the perceived

shortcomings of those around us or the disadvantages of our

present situation. A proper prayer focuses on possibilities and

solutions - in God’s time and God’s way.

Third, forgive your fellow workers, your neighbor, your

acquaintances, and, especially your family members, for all the

perceived slights and sins you feel they have inflicted on you.

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass

against.” (Matthew 6:12) It’s a familiar prayer, but a very difficult

situation. Holding a grudge is like trying to hurt someone by

picking up a burning coal with our bare hand and throwing at the

one we dislike. Holding a grudge hurts us a great deal more than

it hurts the one against whom we have a grudge.

Last, train your mind to see the best in each situation and

person. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever

is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think

about such things. And the God of peace will be with you.”

(Philippians 4:8-9) Good things are accomplished by those have a

clear image, or vision, of the positive outcomes they desire. Focus

your mind on those true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable

issues and outcomes. A mind focused in such a manner can not

help but accomplish great things. 

Regardless of your situation, discipline your mind to rejoice.

Regardless of the situation, pray. Regardless of the personal

attacks or slights against you, forgive. Regardless of situation,

look for the best in each situation and focus on the good that can

come out of it. You will never lose by following these guidelines

from God’s word.

Morris E. Nelson

CH (LTC), SDARNG

JFHQ State Chaplain
Page 4 Summer 2004

740th Transportation Co.

153rd Engineer Bn.

842nd Engineer Co.

216th Engineer Det.

2nd Bn. 147th FA

1085th Medical Co.

665th Maintenance Co.

DEPLOYMENTS

CONUS OCONUS

Extended soldiers can receive extra money

By Gary Sheftick

Army News Service

WASHINGTON – About 20,000

soldiers who have been involuntarily

extended beyond their expected 12 months

of duty in Iraq or Kuwait will be eligible

for extra pay of $1,000 a month.

The incentive package includes an

additional $200 in hardship duty pay

(above the $100 already being received)

and $800 monthly in Assignment Incentive

Pay, or AIP. This pay will be available to

Soldiers in 42 units required to stay in

theater past their expected rotation date

due to operational needs, officials said.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

announced the unit extensions April 15,

saying the period would be for up to 90

days in Iraq plus another possible 30 days

in theater before redeploying home.

The extra pay will only be available

once a soldier exceeds 365 consecutive

days in the Central Command theater.

That’s 12 consecutive months or 365 days

out of a 15-month period, explained Lt.

Col. Gerald Barrett, chief of compensation

and entitlements, G1.

“This is the Department of the Army’s

way of providing for soldiers in the

identified units who were promised that

they were leaving at a certain time, but

because of operational requirements, they

were required to stay longer,” Barrett said

earlier this year when the incentive-pay

program actually began. 

The program began in February when

about 1,500 soldiers from 12 units were

required to stay in Iraq longer than their

expected 12-month rotation. Then the

Army offered the $200 hardship duty pay

and either the $800 Assignment Incentive

Pay or a guaranteed stabilized assignment

once they redeployed. If they opted for the

stabilized tour, soldiers were guaranteed to

spend at least the same amount of time at

home station as they did in theater.

No one opted for the stabilized tour,

though, said Deborah Holman, a senior

compensation analyst for the Army’s G1. 

Barrett said the old stabilization option

will no longer be offered. He said this is

contrary to what was misreported in the

Army Times. Only the extra pay will be

offered to troops recently

extended. 

In order to receive the $800

AIP, extended Soldiers must

sign a DA Form 4187,

personnel action form,

recognizing that their

extension was involuntary.

The signature is necessary

because, by law, AIP must be

based on a written agreement

between the secretary of the

Army and the soldier,

Holman said.

This is only the third time the Army has

ever offered Assignment Incentive Pay,

Barrett said. He said the Navy first used

the special pay for a number of specific

“hard to fill” assignments. 

In February, the Army offered AIP for

the 1,500 soldiers extended in Iraq.

Originally, the AIP program for soldiers in

Iraq was to expire June 1, but now has been

extended.

“In order to maintain equity, we will

apply the involuntary extension incentive

to this group also,” Barrett said referring to

the 20,000 troops just extended. “We want

to be fair to soldiers.’

The $200 extra hardship duty pay and

$800 AIP will both be given to soldiers

who serve in theater any amount of time

past 365 days. 

HHC 109th Engineer Group

By Sgt. Wes Nowitzki

109th Group

departs for

Afghanistan

Soldiers from Rapid City’s

HHC 109th Engineer

Group board a military

aircraft for the long flight

to Afghanistan. The 109th

is a command and control

unit that will plan engineer

projects for subordinate

U.S. and coalition units.

The 109th departed May

17 and is scheduled to be

overseas for one year.
Page 5 Summer 2004

By Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

Tears of joy trickled down many faces in

late March as 361 soldiers of the South

Dakota Army National Guard returned to

their families after serving for more than a

year on active duty in support of Operation

Iraqi Freedom.

Members of the 727th Transportation

Company, 200th Engineer Company, and

Company B, 109th Medical Battalion all

arrived safely and received a heroes’

welcome complete with hugs, parades,

welcome home ceremonies and thanks

from thousands of supporters who lined

parade routes and packed auditoriums.

“It’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful to

be home,” said Staff Sgt. Shane Toupal,

Company B. “The welcome we received,

and to be able to spend time with my

family is just fantastic. To see my family

again is indescribable. I dreamed for more

than a year to see them again, and when I

did, it was one of the happiest days of my

life.”

The first unit to return in the recent

arrivals, – the 122-member, 727th

Transportation Co., – arrived March 26 in

Brookings. Unit members were met with

the open arms of family members at their

armory and hundreds of supporters who

lined the several mile-long parade route

and packed the Swiftel Center.

During the welcome home ceremony,

Maj. Gen Michael A. Gorman, the adjutant

general, said it was great for the soldiers to

be back in South Dakota.

“On the 18th of January of last year,

there were a lot of tears of concern, tears of

apprehension, and what I see today are

tears of joy and thanks that you all came

home safely,” Gorman said. “Ladies and

gentlemen, the 727th answered the call and

rose to the occasion. Every report that I

heard from over in theater was good.”

The commander of the 727th echoed the

general’s comments and said their soldiers

performed outstanding.

“They are the best anyone could ask

for,” said Sgt. Maj. Mike Bekaert, who was

the company’s first sergeant. “I had a

platoon that had never touched a

(Palletized Load System) 10 days before

we left. They couldn’t have performed any

better and I am pretty proud of all of

them.” 

The unit, which was one of the first

South Dakota units called to active duty,

drove more than 1.1 million miles and

completed 505 missions hauling supplies

and equipment into Iraq with its palletized

load systems. 

Attached to the 1st Marine

Expeditionary Force, the unit earned the

Navy Presidential Unit Citation. Individual

unit members earned nine Bronze Stars, 20

Army Commendation Medals and six

Families rejoice soldiers’ homecoming

Photos by Spc. Mark Watson

(above) A family

welcomes home

their soldier at the

727th Transportation

Company’s welcome

home ceremony

March 26 in

Brookings.

(left) A family

member of a 727th

soldier wipes a tear

from her face as she

searches for her

soldier. The unit

returned home

March 26 after

serving nearly 14

months on active

duty.

Continued Units pg. 6
Page 6 Summer 2004

Navy Achievement Medals. Three soldiers were also injured

when they were struck by a vehicle while at a rest halt.

Fortunately, they were able to make recoveries.

Three days later, another 170 soldiers saw their homes as the

200th Engineer Company returned to Pierre, the unit’s

headquarters. 

After enduring a summer with temperatures reaching 158

degrees and then times when 90 degrees was “pretty nice,” the

engineers arrived in Pierre, March 29. 

Spc. Leighann Dunn reflected on her initiation to Iraq.

“I wasn’t prepared for what we were going in for,” Dunn, a

member of the 200th, said. “I didn’t think it was going to get that

hot. I didn’t think it was going to be that tough living without

normal things we take for granted, like laundry machines or

showers. That was pretty hard. Living in a small tent with nine

other females was pretty hard and eating (Meals Ready to Eat)

every day, that was pretty different. They don’t get any better, you

just learn to mix certain foods with cheese or salsa.”

While in Camp Warhorse, near BaQuba, Iraq, the unit

constructed an Army assault ribbon bridge that provided vital

access across the Tigris River. The unit was tasked with guarding

that bridge for the duration of its 333 days in Iraq. During that

time, soldiers were on the receiving end of more than 400 mortar

rounds, six rocket attacks and multiple firefights with Iraqi

insurgents. Soldiers earned four Purple Hearts, nine Bronze Stars

and two Army Commendation Medals with V devices.

Throughout their time in the desert, soldiers said they faced

many challenges. One member of the unit said they overcame the

challenges with flying colors.

“It was difficult and there were a lot of challenges that we came

across,” said Sgt. John Karn, a medic with the unit. “At first it

was, ‘we can’t do that.’ Well, we discovered there were a lot of

things we can do if we really put our minds to it. The upper

echelon said it needs to be done, and well, we’re the South Dakota

National Guard and we’ll get the job done. Sometimes, it isn’t

according to their rule book, but we do it and do a good job at it.

Our reputation preceded us wherever we went.”

As a licensed practitioner nurse in his civilian job, Karn said the

locals loved having medical help so near to them.

“They came in droves right off the bat,” he said. “It was a big

change from working in a nursing home to working on the streets

with the local civilians. There were a lot of things that we couldn’t

help them with, but to give them a little comfort and tell them

what they needed to do or who they needed to see was interesting.

“Fortunately, we didn’t have any major trauma with our Guard

members,” he added. “That was something that worried me a lot,

getting (improvised explosive device) or a mortar round. I was

dreading the fact if someone got hit. We are all one big family.”

Although four members of the unit were wounded, two by

shrapnel from a mortar round and two when a Rocket Propelled

Grenade struck their Humvee, their wounds were not lifethreatening and they were able to make full recoveries.

Continued Soldiers pg. 7

Continued from pg. 5

Photos by Spc. Mark Watson

(above) Spc.

Ethan Jones,

200th Engineer

Company, greets

his loved one at

the Pierre, S.D.,

armory as part

of the unit’s

welcome home

activities.

(right) A family

member of a

727th soldier

holds a welcome

home sign as

she looks for

her soldier.

Units overcome deployment challenges
Page 7 Summer 2004

Soldiers make sacrifices for freedom

The latest unit to return to their families,

Co. B, 109th Medical Battalion, arrived in

Vermillion on April Fools Day. Families of

the 69-member unit lined the road in front

of the Coyote Medics’ armory with

flowers, tears and welcome home signs.

One family made two signs, one said

“Welcome Home,” the other “April Fools,

Ha Ha.” 

During their tour, the medics treated

nearly 40,000 patients to include 12,000

coalition troops, 1,500 civilians and

26,500 Iraqis. 

They also completed 628 ambulance

missions that involved more than 1,000

patients.

Toupal added that the locals appreciated

the help that the soldiers were able to

provide for them. 

“The civilians were very grateful,”

Toupal said. “We represented health care

that they hadn’t seen in a long time.”

For one member of the unit, Sgt. 1st

Class Jerry Anderson, this marked his

second war as he was deployed during

Operation Desert Storm. 

Although he said this deployment was

more difficult than the previous war in

some ways, he said his fellow soldiers

performed remarkably.

“This time I went with a bunch of young

troops, and I really think they grew up a lot

over there,” Anderson said. “They did a

fantastic job. We treated close to 40,000

people, worked 12 hour shifts at first,

seven days a week.”

Anderson said they treated a wide

variety of people from U.S. soldiers to

Iraqi civilians. 

“If they were there, we treated them,” he

said. “Once they walked through that door,

we didn’t ask who they were, they all got

the same treatment.”

Two soldiers assigned to Company B

received Bronze Stars and there are several

Bronze Star awards under

recommendation.

During the soldiers’ deployment they

faced many difficult tasks in difficult

positions.

“All the soldiers in this great unit

deserve our eternal gratitude for the part

they played in Operation Iraqi Freedom,”

Gorman said. “In this, the first war of the

21st Century, you defended your fellow

citizens against ruthless enemies, and

because of your sacrifices, you made this

country a safer place to live. You guys and

gals are all great soldiers. We are all proud

of you. You saw hard duty, but the defense

of freedom is always worth it. Because of

your service, because of your bravery and

dedication, the world is better off today

and the people of America are more

secure.”

Continued from pg. 6

1742nd Transportation returns to families

By Kristen Strissel

SDNG Public Affairs Office

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Strangers became neighbors when the

citizens of Sioux Falls welcomed home the South Dakota Army

National Guard’s 1742nd Transportation Company. The unit

ended its year-long tour in Iraq and Kuwait by returning to the

open arms of loved-ones and a grateful community. 

On June 12, hundreds of friends and family members waited

anxiously on the hot tarmac of Joe Foss Field, hoping to catch a

glimpse of the chartered plane that carried the unit’s 102 soldiers.

Cheering loudly, the crowd boosted flags and signs into the air as

the plane taxied to a stop. 

Spc. Nick Castillo was the first soldier to emerge from the

plane, proudly carrying the unit’s maroon flag. “It is really great

to be back here with our families,” he said. “I was just counting

the days.” 

Emotions ran high as the troops blended into the crowd.

Reunions between husbands and wives, brothers and sisters,

parents and children brought everything from smiles and laughter

to tears. 

Even while exchanging stories with their family and friends,

soldiers grabbed loved-ones for another tight hug. These

embraces were a lingering reminder of the pain and hardship felt

from over a year of separation. 

After being deployed to the Middle East on June 9, 2003, the

unit was stationed at Camp Anaconda just northeast of Baghdad.

During their tour of duty, unit members were in a variety of

Continued Truckers pg. 8

Photo by Kristen Strissel

Sgt. Terry Wessling hugs his daughter at the 1742nd

Transportation Company’s welcome home June 12.
Page 8 Summer 2004

dangerous circumstances ranging from close-calls to instances

resulting in significant injury. 

Sgt. Jeff Cox remembered one such moment when his convoy

was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades. “We were driving

around Baghdad and I heard a loud explosion. Then, we heard

over the radio that another part of the convoy had been attacked,”

he said softly. “We didn’t know if it was one person out there or a

group.” 

Staff Sgt. Marcus Frey also remembered the dangerous attacks

with reverence. “I was back at the unit headquarters, hearing

reports that our convoys had been attacked, it was really hard just

sitting there and waiting for more reports,” he said. 

One of these attacks left Spc. Dana Bindert with shrapnel

penetrating his right leg in six places. The injury forced him to

return to South Dakota in May. Nevertheless, Bindert was present

at the unit’s homecoming, sitting in a wheelchair and ready to

greet his comrades as they exited the plane. 

While one might expect the harsh environment or the hostile

atmosphere to present the greatest challenge to soldiers, the

internal struggles were often the hardest to face up to. 

“At first the biggest (struggle) was the heat,” said Frey. “After

that, it was being away from the family and realizing how long

you are going to be away.” 

“The uncertainty was the hardest part of going over there,” said

Cox. “The day we stepped off that plane, there was a feeling that

is hard to explain.”

The soldiers were not the only ones to feel the trials of

separation. Colton Hanson was among the crowd waiting for the

1742nd’s arrival. Hanson, the young son of 1742nd Staff Sgt.

Colleen Convey-Wilson, said his mother’s absence was a very

painful experience. “I missed her so much,” he said. “I thought

‘why couldn’t they send someone else?” 

After receiving gentle reproof from his mother for the outburst,

the youngster turned to her with a look of protest. “What? It’s the

truth!” he said. As if proving his point, he curled back into his

mother’s arms and grinned broadly. 

Following the reunion on the tarmac, the soldiers and families

were taken by bus to the beginning of the parade route. Citizens

and well-wishers lined the streets, welcoming the troops with

warmth and gratitude. Shouts of ‘thank you’ and ‘we missed you’

continuously erupted from the crowd. Banners expressing the

same sentiments were held high. Even young children smiled and

waved to the passing men and women clad in tan camouflage. 

Immediately after the parade, the entire unit reassembled at a

semi-private awards ceremony held in the Sioux Falls

Multicultural Center. 

Lined-up in front of their fellow troops, 13 soldiers received

awards including one Purple Heart, with two more pending, and

12 Bronze Stars. 

The final event of the day, held in the Multicultural Center

auditorium, was an official homecoming ceremony. Upon

entering the auditorium, the unit was met with the thunderous

applause of roughly six hundred people. 

Qadir Aware spoke, not only as the director of the Multicultural

Center, but as a native Kurd who came to the United States in

October 1997. Aware was a freedom-fighter who had been placed

on Saddam Hussein’s infamous execution list. 

“Our country at home, in Iraq, is free because of your

dedication,” he said to the soldiers. He went on to say that their

work would have a lasting impact on his life and the lives of many

others in the Gulf region. 

After being able to call his sister for the first time recently, she

told him, “Sweetheart, we are celebrating the freedom.” It was

this freedom that Aware thanked the troops for providing. 

On June 20, Aware will return to his native country. “This time,

I will walk freely in my country because of you,” he said. The

soldiers responded warmly, giving Aware a standing ovation, to

which he humbly bowed from the stage. 

Saying that he had received nothing but favorable reports about

the unit, Maj. Gen. Michael Gorman called the day “a fitting

tribute for this outstanding unit.” 

“Are you glad they’re home?” he shouted to a crowd, which

responded with loud cheering and raucous applause. 

The unit’s commander, Capt. Jeff Norris, closed out the

ceremony by commending the troops on their performance. “You

were tasked heavily,” he said. “You rose to the occasion. You did

a job and did it damn well.” 

Truckers return after year in combat zone

Continued from pg. 7

Col. Timothy Reisch, Deputy

Commander of Joint Force

Headquarters, South Dakota,

receives the Joint Force guidon

from Sgt. Maj. Darald McElroy, Joint

Thunder Exercise Sergeant Major,

during a change of command

ceremony June 22. Col. Keith W.

Corbett, took command of the unit.

Joint Force

Headquarters

receives new

commander

Photo by Sgt. Wes Nowitzki
Page 9 Summer 2004

1085th trains for fire suppression

By Sgt. Wes Nowitzki

129th MPAD

CUSTER STATE PARK, S.D. – Helicopters from the 1085th

Medical Company (Air Ambulance) hovered just over the surface

of Custer State Park’s Legion Lake as the unit completed its

annual Wild Land Fire Suppression recertification on May 21. 

Three helicopters, one fuel tanker, and 31 soldiers were

involved in the exercise. 

Bystanders watched the helicopters lower buckets into the lake

and dump water over specific targets. 

“The training provides an excellent opportunity to train with

wild land suppression ground crews and it certified us for the

Rocky Mountain Region,” said Chief Warrant Officer Mike

Reindl, 1085th facility operations officer. 

According to Reindl, the certification gives the unit the

clearance to fight fires in Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota,

Wyoming and Colorado. 

The 1085th also trained with approximately 130 ground crew

members and more than 50 firefighting vehicles from around the

state. Ground crews communicated with the helicopter pilots,

telling them where to release the water during the training. 

“Ground crews created smoke-pots and started dead trees on

fire to be used for targets,” said Reindl. 

As the helicopters were flying at a height of roughly 100 feet,

any spilled water had the potential to inflict significant harm on

people below. As a result, pilots and crew members had to use

caution when releasing water, making sure not to hit the ground

crews below or civilians using the lake and surrounding areas. 

“The water buckets hold about 660 gallons which weighs about

5,500 lbs,” said Reindl. “So an accident would be extremely bad.” 

The 1085th helicopters provide air support for firefighting

efforts, similar to slurry bombers. Slurry bombers carry large

loads of fire suppressant, which is dropped over areas in the path

of a fire. This summer, the federal government grounded 33 slurry

bombers, saying they were unfit for use. 

“We are probably a higher priority because of all the

groundings,” said Reindl. 

Without the bombers, firefighters will have to rely on other

techniques to stop wild fires from burning down homes and acres

of natural forest. The National Guard helicopters and other

agencies may be called upon to help extinguish or contain these

extremely dangerous fires. 

Three of the unit’s six helicopters are in Kosovo with the

roughly 30 members of the 1085th who are currently serving there.

Photo by Sgt. Wes Nowitzki

The South Dakota Army National Guard took advantage of nice weather to practice bucket training at Legion Lake in Custer

State Park. Crews from Rapid City’s 1085th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) transported the water and dropped it over

simulated fire hot-spots as part of their wildland fire suppression training.