Volume 1, Issue 2 Spring 2004

Troops train for convoy ambushes

By Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

FORT SILL, Okla. - Almost daily, news agencies report of

convoys in Iraq coming under attack from small arms fire or

improvised explosive devices. To combat the casualties the Army

has taken measures to keep soldiers in convoys safer. 

The Army has used lessons learned from the battlefield to better

protect the troops by modifying vehicles, but more importantly, it is

augmenting preventive training into the validation process of

deploying units. 

“A big piece of our training is convoy operations,” said Lt. Col.

Jeff Marlette, commander of 2nd Battalion, 147th Field Artillery

(Mobile Launch Rocket System.) “We are learning to react under

different situations such as IEDs.” 

The practice of coming under fire in a convoy came in January at

Fort Sill, Okla., where the unit was preparing to deploy to Iraq. As

a column of artillerymen in Humvees traveled down a dirt road a

call on the radio, “3 O’ Clock, 150 meters, troops in the open,”

brought the soldiers to full alert. As the “Troops” appeared, the

South Dakota soldiers opened fire. Dust kicked up from live rounds

striking the dirt near the targets and from the Humvees as they

increased their speed to get out of the danger zone. 

Although the soldiers occasionally trained on convoy operations,

this was the first time they fired from the vehicles. 

“We’ve done a little training before on convoy operations,” Pfc.

Jared Bloom, a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Service,

2nd Bn., 147th FA. “But this is the first time we are using live

rounds. We are learning to take special care of our weapons. I am a

South Dakota Army National Guard

By Spc. Mark Watson

Members of the 2nd Battalion, 147th Field Artillery, set up a

perimeter during the convoy operations portion of the unit’s

mobilization training at Fort Sill, Okla. Continued Ambush pg. 3

Single mom keeps positive outlook during mobilization

By Spc. Shannon Crane

129th MPAD

PARKSTON - Family and friends

gathered together in Parkston to bid

farewell to Company C, 153rd Engineer

Battalion on Dec. 3. The unit was

activated to support Operation Iraqi

Freedom, and the activation ceremony

provided its soldiers one last opportunity

to spend time with loved ones.

In the somber atmosphere, amidst the

tearful goodbyes, Spc. Miranda Schroeder,

a communications specialist and single

mom, took it upon herself to remain upbeat

and focused.

“I’m trying to have a positive attitude

about all this,” said Schroeder. “I don’t

know if it’s really hit me yet or not, but I

have a really good outlook on it and I just

want to go and get it done.”

On the civilian side, Schroeder works as

a store clerk in Mitchell coordinating

weddings and birthday parties. She said

that her employers told her it would be

difficult to replace her so quickly, and that

they are really going to miss her.

“They’re really supportive, and they’re

just excited for me to come back home,”

Schroeder said.

The biggest challenge for Schroeder’s

family is how her son, Simon, will deal

with the transition.

“It’ll be hard getting used to it, thinking

about how my son is not going to quite

know what’s going on,” said Schroeder.

“My family has been so supportive

through all of this. They’re trying to have

a positive outlook, and they just want me

to be safe and come home.”

Schroeder is not the only member of her

family serving her state and country. Her

older brother is currently stationed in

Iceland serving in the Navy, and her

younger brother is also a member of

Continued Mom pg. 3
By Spc. Chris Ripka

129th MPAD

RAPID CITY - For the second time in less than two decades, the

109th Engineer Group from Rapid City is being called upon to do

its nation’s bidding. This time, however, they will not see the

desert sands as they did in the Gulf War.

Nearly 15 years have gone by since the 109th was deployed in

January 1990 to support Operation Desert Storm. This time the

men and women of the 109th are called upon to carve out their

piece in history in

the heart of

terrorism country -

Afghanistan.

Commanding the

109th is Col. Nancy

J. Wetherill, the

Group’s first female

commander. Her

expectations are as

high as her

standards, as

evidenced when a

local television

reporter asked her if

she thought that her

unit was ready.

Wetherill said.

“The 109th

maintains a

constant state of

readiness. Each soldier knows what they need to do when the call

comes.”

As with other units of the South Dakota National Guard, some

of the older, more experienced members got out of the Guard

109th Group to be activated

Page 2 Spring 2004

Adjutant General

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Gorman

129th MPAD Commander

Capt. Joseph 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

Spc. Chris Ripka

SDNG PAO Staff

Maj. 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

email:anthony.deiss@us.army.mil

235th receives welcome home

By Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

RAPID CITY -Among family and friends,

91 members of the 235th Military Police

Company, who deployed to Fort Carson,

Colo., in support of Operation Noble Eagle,

returned home safely and were honored in a

deactivation ceremony Jan. 10 in the

Stevens High School Auditorium. 

Supporters of the 235th packed the

auditorium, some carrying welcome home

banners, others carrying flowers welcoming

home the MPs who replaced Ft. Carson

soldiers who deployed overseas. 

“The 235th answered the call and did

what they were supposed to do,” Maj. Gen.

Michael A. Gorman, the adjutant general

for South Dakota, said. “I will never forget

the day we activated the unit. I can always

picture in my mind the children with the

soldiers. Some are here today, now they are

almost a year older, and we know how

much sacrifice goes into that.” 

One of the soldiers who made that

sacrifice was Spc. Fred Heinrich, an MP.

Upon seeing his daughters, he snuck up

behind them and put his arms around them. 

“I gave them a hug and a kiss,” Heinrich

said. “The mood is surreal. It hasn’t seemed

like we have been gone for 11 months.” 

Fellow MP, Pfc. Alecia Ramsdell, didn’t

want to leave home, but not because she had

a child. 

“I had just gotten back from basic and

(Advanced Individual Training,)” Ramsdell

said. “I had just been back for two weeks. It

was like ‘Yes, I’m home, then wait! I’m

not.’” 

Although she didn’t want to go, she did

say it was nice being able to use her training

right away. 

Continued 109th pg. 5

Continued MPs pg. 7

By Spc. Mark Watson

Spc. Andy Heymans removes a SINGARs radio from a 109th

Group Humvees in preparation for the unit to deploy

overseas.
mechanic, so this is all new to me doing

these different operations.” 

Leaders and trainers preach situational

awareness to the soon-to-deploy

Guardsmen. 

“We have to know our position at all

times,” Sgt. Chad Clemens said. “You have

to know what to do in the convoy, where the

driver is and you have to be alert at all

times.” 

While soldiers learn procedures to live by

while in Iraq, soldiers already engaged in

the war have taken measures to protect

themselves by modifying their vehicles. 

Marlette said soldiers are retrofitting their

vehicles, placing sand bags on the floor to

protect from an explosion from underneath

and they are placing sheets of metal in the

doors to add a new layer of a protection for

the soldiers. 

A January 12, Associated Press, press

release, stated soldiers are feeling more

confident about riding in vehicles. 

According to the release, “‘Our number

one concern was IEDs (improvised

explosive devices),’ said Spc. Christopher

Roessner, 20, of Ventura, Calif., while

sitting in the back of one of the strengthened

vehicles. ‘I feel a whole lot safer sitting in

the back of one of these Humvees than the

old ones.’” 

The soldiers are finishing up their

training period, Marlette said his soldiers

were doing a remarkable job. 

“The troops are doing absolutely

outstanding,” Marlette said. “If I could

change anything, I don’t know if I would

change a thing.”

Page 3 Spring 2004

Ambush training to save soldiers

Continued from pg. 1

Mom maintains

attitude, focus

Company C and will be joining the unit overseas sometime

this summer.

Though her life has undergone many sudden changes as

a result of the activation, Schroeder said that maintaining a

great attitude has been the best thing for her and would

advise soldiers in similar circumstances to do the same.

“I think that’s the only thing that’s kept me sane though

all of this,” Schroeder said.

After conducting pre-mobilization training at Fort

Carson, Colo., approximately 250 members of the 153rd

deployed to Kuwait in mid-February. 

Continued from pg. 1

State lists soldier,

NCO of year

By Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

RAPID CITY - South Dakota hosted its annual Soldier and

Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Awards Banquet, January

17 in Pierre to recognize the top soldiers and NCOs within the

South Dakota National Guard. 

Selected as South Dakota’s best traditional Guardsmen was Pfc.

Jared Digmann, of the 665th Maintenance Company. Digmann

will also represent South Dakota at the 5th U.S. Army Soldier of

the Year Awards in late March in San Antonio, Texas. 

The Active Guard and Reserve Soldier of the Year went to Spc.

Alicen McKnight of the 1085th Medical Company, Rapid City. 

This year’s top M-Day NCO award went to Sgt. Tashie Moore,

88th Troop Command, Brookings. Moore will represent the state

at the 5th Army NCO of the Year Awards.

Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Kinstad, Headquarters and Headquarters

Battery, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery Brigade, received the

nod as the best AGR noncommissioned officer. 

Fellow soldiers competing for the titles were: Spc. Bradley

Sudbeck, Joint Forces Headquarters, Rapid City; Spc. Arthur

Morris, 109th Engineer Battalion, Sturgis; and Spc. Chasity

Javers, HHB, 147th FA, Sioux Falls. 

Competing NCOs were: Sgt. 1st Class Dan Konechne, 1st

Battalion, 196th Regiment; Staff Sgt. Randal Decker, 1085th

Medical Company; Staff Sgt. Dennis Schley, 665th Maintenance

Company; Sgt. Jason Richmond, 155th Engineer Detachment; and

Sgt. Mark Weber, HHB 147th FA.

By Sgt. 1st Class Don Matthews

Spc. Miranda Schroeder holds her son, Simon, at the

Company C, 153rd Engineer Battalion activation

ceremony. 

Taxes are due

April 15
2nd Bn. 147th FA

CONUS OCONUS

Page 4 Spring 2004

727th Transportation Co.

109th Medical Co. B

740th Transportation Co.

842nd Engineer Co.

1742nd Transportation Co.

200th Engineer Co.

1085th Medical Co.

665th Maintenance Co.

Det. 3 665th Maintenance Co.

DEPLOYMENTS

CONUS OCONUS

Guard leader visits troops in Iraq, Kuwait

SDNG Public Affairs Office

RAPID CITY - Not since World War II has South Dakota’s

National Guard responded in such magnitude to international

conflict. With nearly two thirds of his force called to active duty

to battle the war against terrorism, the Guard’s top leader got a

first-hand look at the soldiers’ efforts in Iraq and Kuwait in late

November. 

Accepting the Army’s invitation, Maj. Gen. Michael Gorman,

adjutant general, completed a three-day tour of U.S. military

operations in both Iraq and Kuwait and was able to visit briefly

with soldiers and leaders from all six of his units that are

supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

“The troops attitudes were upbeat and they are all working

hard,” Gorman said. “I think they have accepted the fact that they

will be on the ground for a year and are making the most of it.” 

The general’s tour was part of a new program set up to help

leaders of the Reserve forces get a better understanding of the

operations and conditions their units are facing in Iraq, Kuwait

and Afghanistan. 

Gorman, along with adjutants general from seven other states,

got a look at the big picture during a briefing with the staff of Lt.

Gen. David McKiernan, the Coalition Forces Land Component

Commander. 

They were briefed on the overall mission, the disposition of

forces in Kuwait, the support structure for forces in Iraq and

Afghanistan, and the preparation needed to rotate forces in the

region. 

“I got a better handle on the obstacles the Army is facing in

rotating 150,000 troops out of and into the area in the next four

months,” said Gorman. He emphasized that the rotation will be a

big job. 

“We’re talking about a movement of soldiers with the

magnitude of those in World War II,” he said. 

That first day in Kuwait, Gorman also got a chance to visit with

both the 727th and 740th Transportation Companies at their

respective base camps in the desert, going from tent to tent to talk

with South Dakota soldiers. 

“I just thanked them for their sacrifices,” he said. “I really

wanted to just reach out and grab them all up and take them home.

But they’ve got a job to do over there and they all seem to feel

good about their accomplishments.” 

Gorman admits he was set back a bit by the tough living

conditions the soldiers had to endure. 

“They’re far from anything you’d want to live in,” he said. “But

improvements are ongoing.” 

Outfitted in his Kevlar helmet, full body armor, and his

weapon, the general flew from Camp Doha, Kuwait, to Baghdad

International airport in a C-130 cargo plane. 

Like all other aircraft flying into Baghdad, the C-130 cargo

plane transporting the group used defensive maneuvers on its

approach to the airport. 

“It’s a good thing I couldn’t see out the windows,” he said. “It

was quite a ride. The plane flew low over Iraq, constantly

153rd Engineer Bn.

Continued General pg. 5

216th Engineer Det.
Page 5 Spring 2004

when they returned home from their Gulf

War deployment. Many of the young men

and women who replaced them have never

been on a real world mission, let alone a

war. They will face challenges they have

never known before, and they will have to

rely on those few veterans who have been

there to help them and guide them to

accomplish their mission. 

The 109th is being mobilized to support

Operation Enduring Freedom. The Group

will be the theater command and control

element that will task out missions and

oversee other units while answering to the

Joint Task Force commander. 

The commander of the 109th Group

Headquarters is Capt. Randy Griebel.

Griebel is a wildlife biologist who works

for the state forestry department in Custer.

He said that his biggest worry is his wife,

who is about to have their second child. 

“My main concern is not being able to

help her out with the new baby,” Griebel

said. 

Since this is his second deployment in

less than three years, Griebel brings with

him experience and knowledge that will

prove to be a great asset to his company.

Griebel said, “We’re in the crawl state in

some of the tasks we know that we are

going to do at mob station, things like CTT

and convoy operations. We’re sitting well

for where we are at up to this point, but we

will be completely up to speed by the time

we leave mob station.”

The company first sergeant is Tad

Auker. He is responsible for the soldiers’

welfare while they are away from home.

He said, “There is nothing more important

than taking care of the people assigned to

you. Now that doesn’t mean holding their

hands and wiping their noses, but we can

make sure that they have everything that

they need to accomplish their mission and

ensure that they will live as comfortably as

they possibly can.”

In preparing his own family, Auker takes

a positive approach and stresses the

importance of keeping the family

informed. 

“The unknowns are what make it the

most difficult. The things we have been

counseled to do is to get as much

information to the families as we can so

they might understand what we are doing

and why we are doing it,” Auker said.

Even though 1st Sgt. Auker has not been

on a deployment of this nature before, he

has a strong understanding of the bigger

picture. Auker said, “The 109th Group has

a long history of working with active duty

components in the different warfighter

exercises, ... so we have a reputation as a

very professional organization and have

engineering contacts all over the world.

So it’s not a surprise that we were called

upon to be a supporting element.”

Auker also added, “We have a lot of

very experienced NCOs in the Group

headquarters with a variety of experiences

from Desert Storm to various warfighter

and ODT deployments.”

Staff Sgt. Andy Gorman, who works full

time with the 109th Group Headquarters,

said, “I look at the positives when

something like this comes up. My wife

and I figure that this is definitely better

than the alternative.”

A Sturgis native, Gorman joined the

Army in 1992. He and his wife have two

children. Looking ahead, Gorman states,

“I want people to look back on this and see

the good that we did for these people.”

Spc. Jay Schrieber is a budget analyst

for the South Dakota National Guard

Counter Drug Program. He was one of the

original members of the program when it

started up about seven years ago.

Schrieber said, “Nobody was here to train

me, so it is going to be a challenge to train

someone else to do my job while I am

away.”

Schrieber planned to get married later in

the year, but has decided to move the

wedding date ahead. 

“My fiance is a little worried about me,

and that’s understandable,” he said.

“However, this way I know that she will be

taken care of when I leave.”

Schrieber said it best when he stated his

personal motto: “Do your best in

everything that you do and don’t worry

about the things that you can’t control and

just be nice to people.” Schrieber also

added some of his personal views. “As big

as this deployment is to us and our

families, it’s a small part of the overall war

on terrorism. We cannot let the men and

women who died on 9-11 be forgotten. I

want people to be proud of what we did.”

109th to deploy to Afghanistan

Continued from pg. 2

South Dakota general visits combat zones

maneuvering and then we just dropped right down on the

runway.” 

The group traveled to one of Saddam’s palaces where top

officials outlined the situation in Iraq. 

At the airport, he met with leaders from the two South Dakota

units stationed there, the 842nd Engineer Company and Company

B, 109th Medical Battalion. 

“I wish I could have toured those units’ operations, but our time

in Baghdad was very limited,” Gorman said. “Security was so

tight.” 

Gorman was quite surprised at how nice the weather was in

Baghdad. Temperatures in November ranged from highs in the

70s with low dipping into the 40s. 

“It was raining when we got there,” he said. “Someone said it

was the first rain since the conflict began. Every soldier I met

would say, ‘You should have been here when it was 130 degrees.’

After a short flight to Camp Anaconda, about 30 miles northeast

of Baghdad, Gorman met with soldiers from the 200th Engineer

Company and the 1742nd Transportation Company who were

eating at the local dining facility. 

In visiting with the soldiers, Gorman believes that the new

leave policy, where selected soldiers get a chance to go home for

15 days, has really helped improve troop morale. 

“I’m glad I got a chance to go to Iraq,” he said. “I now have a

better idea of the situation my troops are facing.” 

Continued from pg. 4
AG Comments

Though it has been less than two years since the war on

terrorism began, we are still living in difficult times. Some of our

soldiers have returned home safely, yet others are still fulfilling

their one-year “boots on the ground” obligation. The citizens and

soldiers of this state have done their part for their nation, and I am

extremely proud of their accomplishments. I look forward to

participating in the homecoming celebrations and recognizing the

many achievements of our fine soldiers.

One of the ways our troops are being recognized is through a

program called the Freedom Salute campaign.

It is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition

endeavors in history, designed to publicly acknowledge Army

Guard soldiers and those who supported them during the

President’s call to duty for Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring

Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Eligible soldiers include those who

were mobilized directly under one of the three Operational Orders

or in support of one of the three Operational Orders for more than

30 days (to include state active duty mobilized soldiers and Title

10 soldiers). 

Each eligible soldier will receive an encased American Flag, a

sequentially numbered commemorative coin, a “Defender of

Freedom” certificate and a lapel insignia. 

Married soldiers’ spouses will receive a lapel insignia, while

soldiers who are considered a center of

influence with young people will be given a

Future Soldier Footlocker Kit that includes the

Daring Eagle board game, Mission Command

game, ARNG trading cards/case and comic

book.

In addition, each soldier will be able to

recognize one center of influence (COI) for

outstanding support during the soldier’s

mobilization. This recognition will be in the

form of a commemorative lapel insignia and a medallion with

ribbon. 

Two additional levels of recognition will be presented to the

unit’s choice of a person or organization deserving the

Outstanding COI and Distinguished COI honors. The

Outstanding COI is an individual or organization that prominently

stood out as most helpful to the soldiers during mobilization and

will receive a framed mosaic American Flag print. The

Distinguished COI is an individual or organization the unit felt

was most helpful to its soldiers and their families during

mobilization and will receive an award. 

Michael A. Gorman

MG, SDNG

The Adjutant General

Commander’s Corner

Page 6 Spring 2004

SCSM Comments

Over the past year and a half,

approximately 3,500 of this state's finest

soldiers and airmen have been activated to

serve their country. Currently, there are at

least 1,600 soldiers still serving overseas,

and I am certain they are anxious to hop

the “freedom bird” home. Now that their

return is close at hand, I have concerns that

this excitement may lead to complacency.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about

the dangers our troops face, and how

important it is for them to stay focused on

their tasks. 

The mission is not complete until our

soldiers come home safely.

Speaking of missions, I want to take

this opportunity to

recognize the

important, but often

overlooked, mission of

the support staff to

include Personnel,

Operations, Finance

and Logistics. The

personnel who work

for these sections have

traveled hundreds of miles and have spent

countless hours preparing soldiers for

deployment. Their dedication to their

fellow Guardsmen make them an asset to

their sections, as well as to the units they

support, and I extend my gratitude to each

and every one of them. Please know that

your efforts have not gone unnoticed. 

As I reflect on the various

mobilizations of our Guard units, I am

reminded of just how much the role of the

National Guard has changed, and how

important it is for all of us who wear the

uniform to change with it. Our country

relies on us now more than ever before,

and as more demands are placed upon us,

our readiness is the key to our success.

Deployment is no longer a mere

“possibility” but a “probability”, and it is

necessary for all of us to be physically and

mentally prepared. No matter what our

professions are, we are all soldiers first.

Michael L. Birnbaum

CSM, SDARNG

State Command Sergeant Major

Commander’s Corner

Remember

set your clocks forward 1 hour

April 4
Page 7 Spring 2004

MPs return from CONUS deployment

“At AIT you learn the basics,” she said.

“When you get there it’s a whole new thing,

so it was neat being able to go right from

AIT to my job.” 

During the 11 months that the 235th was

deployed, the MPs responded to domestic

disturbance calls, bar fights, accidents, drug

busts, driving under the influence calls, and

were involved in high speed chases. The

Guard unit performed the job of three

active duty units that were deployed and

with 91 soldiers, they held down the job

that 150 troops previously did, Capt. Doug

Goshorn, the unit’s commander, said. 

“They may have not earned a combat

patch as our fellow Guardsmen who

deployed to Iraq,” Goshorn said. “But their

service is every bit as necessary in this

global war on terrorism.” 

Gorman added that during a recent trip to

Ft. Carson, Brig. Gen. Raymond Carpenter,

the state’s assistant adjutant general, Army,

talked to the deputy commander of the 7th

Infantry Division and then told what the

infantry commander said. 

“He said that the 235th was the best MP

company that he had seen in the entire U.S.

Army. Not just the Guard,” Gorman said. 

“I can’t say how proud I am of the

235th,” he added. “Thank you for all your

proud service.”

Continued from pg. 2 By Spc. Mark Watson

Spc. Ole Segard

holds his 18-

month old son,

Aric, during the

235th Military

Police Company

deactivation

ceremony. The

unit returned

January 10 from

a deployment to

Fort Carson,

Colo.

By Sgt. Wes Nowitzki

Spc. Kevin Millard from the

155th Engineer Detachment cuts

notches out of a piece of trim

for the outside of the playhouse.

The 9 x 8 ft. playhouse built for

a raffle to raise money for the

Court Appointed Special

Advocate Association. In past

years the playhouse has raised

more than 7,000 dollars for

CASA. The playhouse will be

displayed at the Rushmore Mall

and raffle tickets will go on sale

at the end of March. 
Page 8 Spring 2004

Engineers depart U.S. soil

By Spc. Mark Watson

129th MPAD

FORT CARSON, COLO. - All 418

members of the 153rd Engineer Battalion

arrived safely in Kuwait Sunday after

spending nearly a day in the air from their

mobilization station, Fort Carson, Colo. 

The South Dakota National Guardsmen

boarded the planes bound for the desert

country, the last group leaving U.S. soil

Saturday. In their final days at Fort

Carson, both excitement and thoughts of

the unknown grew. 

“I am excited and happy to get out of

Fort Carson and get on with the mission,”

said Staff Sgt Dallas Vallery, from Rapid

City, who volunteered to fill a position in

the unit's personnel shop. “I am getting

nervous, as I hope everyone would be.” 

The 153rd, with units located in Huron,

Platte, Parkston, De Smet, Madison,

Winner and Wagner, received its

activation order in November, and

mobilized to Fort Carson December 7.

While at its mobilization station, the

members received refresher training as

well as training the soldiers have never

conducted. 

“We’ve had almost 60 days of pretty

intense training,” said Maj. Mike Werdel,

the unit’s executive officer. “We’ve done

21 days of infantry training including

convoy live fire training.” 

The soldiers also became proficient

with their weapons, received first aid

training and, for the first time, they

trained for Military Operations in

Urbanized Terrain. 

“We’ve received excellent training,” 1st

Sgt Joey Struwe, from Estelline and the

Company B first Sergeant, said. “A lot of

the (infantry tactics) we never had

training on before, and the guys have

soaked it up like a sponge. We’ve been

working hard for the last two months, so

we are ready to get going so we can come

back home.” 

With only hours before they boarded

the plane, the soldiers had time to reflect

on their upcoming missions. While some

slept, others watched TV while others

were lost in thought. 

“I’m just thinking about what’s coming

up,” Spc. Dale Medlin said. “You know,

you watch TV and wonder where you are

going and what you will be doing. I only

know we are going to Iraq.” 

Another engineer said he wanted to

make a difference in the way the Iraqis

looked at his fellow soldiers. 

“I want to go over there and make

things more peaceful for them and for

us,” Pfc. Matthew Kreul said. “I want to

try to change their minds and the way

they look at Americans.” 

For the newest members of the unit, the

reality of the deployment has just started

to hit them. 

“It’s kicking in a little,” Pierre resident,

Spc. Ian Farnsworth, said. “When I saw

our room empty, that’s when it started to

hit me. I mean that’s been our home for

the last two months. 

“Our moral goes up and down, day by

day,” he said. “It is usually high, but

toward the end of the day it kind of drops.

But then we get back (to the barracks)

and we are ready to go again. 

“I’m just ready to get to some place

warm,” he joked. 

The 153rd plans to be in the Gulf

region for one year.

By Sgt. 1st Class Don Matthews

Members of the 153rd Engineer Battalion run thru concealment smoke during

their Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain training shortly before the unit

arrived in Kuwait. 
Page 9 Spring 2004

Former Adjutant General receives Williamson Award

By Sgt. Matt Johnson

South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office

PIERRE - Retired Major General Philip G. Killey received the

prestigious Williamson Militia Man Award during the South

Dakota National Guard’s "Legislative Dining Out" ceremony

Feb.12, in Pierre.

Killey received his commission in 1963 through Officer

Training School, Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. After pilot

training at Reese Air Force Base in Texas and Eglin Air Force

Base in Florida, Killey served a tour of duty in Southeast Asia

from 1967-68.

Killey left active duty in 1969 and joined the South Dakota

Air National Guard in 1970. He held numerous positions in the

S.D. Air Nat. Guard to include commander of the 114th Tactical

Fighter Group from 1983 to 1987. His overwhelming success as

commander led Governor George Mickelson to select him as

Adjutant General for the South Dakota National Guard and head

of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

After serving nearly two years as South Dakota’s Adjutant

General, Killey was again called to active duty by the Secretary

of the Air Force in Washington, D.C. to serve as the Director of

the Air National Guard from 1988 to 1994.

As a result of his outstanding performance as the Director of

the Air National Guard, Killey was selected as the first guard

member to serve as Commander, 1st Air Force - the Air Force

command responsible for guarding America’s skies, where he

served until 1998.

In 1998, Governor Janklow asked Killey to again serve as the

Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard and

Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs, from which he retired

after more than 40 years of service in the U.S. military.

The Williamson “Militia Man” Award was established in 1987

by Maj. Gen. Ronald F. Williamson, who was the adjutant

general at the time. The award recognizes an individual who

exemplifies the spirit of the citizen-soldier through community

leadership, support of the National Guard, and the defense of our

country. The award, presented by Gov. Mike Rounds, Maj. Gen.

Michael A. Gorman and Retired Maj. Gen. Ronald F.

Williamson, is a U.S. Army Saber and Scabbard.

By Sgt. Matt Johnson

Maj. Gen. Phillip G. Killey, (ret.), former Adjutant General

second from left, accepts the Williamson Militiaman Award

from Maj. Gen. Michael A. Gorman, the Adjutant General of

the South Dakota National Guard, left, Governor M. Michael

Rounds and Maj. Gen Ronald Williamson (ret.) February 12

during the annual Legislative Dining Out in Pierre. 

ESGR recognizes top military supporter

By Sgt. Matt Johnson

South Dakota National Guard Public

Affairs Office

PIERRE - The South Dakota Committee

for Employer Support of the Guard and

Reserve (ESGR) recently presented the

prestigious “2003 Pro Patria Award” to

Citibank (South Dakota), N.A. The

presentation was made Feb. 12, 2004 at the

annual National Guard “Legislative

Dining Out” in Pierre.

“Pro Patria” is the Latin expression

meaning “for the nation.” This award is

given to an individual or company that

has supported employees who are

members of the Guard and Reserve. It

symbolizes the patriotism shown by

adopting personnel policies that enable

employees to fulfill National Guard and

Reserve training and deployment

obligations, thus contributing to the

readiness and success of our nation’s

defense.

Citibank is a diverse financial company

and the largest credit card issuer in North

America, with approximately 3,200

workers in Sioux Falls. Citibank South

Dakota employs 31 members of the South

Dakota National Guard or Army Reserve.

In 2003, Citibank and the Citigroup

Foundation contributed more than

$800,000 to over 100 grant partners in

South Dakota, including the National

Guard. Citibank is proud and committed

to supporting its military members,

granting nearly 25,000 hours of military

leave in 2003 to its employed members of

the National Guard and Reserve.

In addition, since the activation of

thousands of National Guard and Reserve

troops to support Operation Noble Eagle,

Operation Enduring Freedom, and

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Citibank has

implemented numerous incentive and

benefit enhancements to ensure its

military members and their families

receive the maximum support possible

during activations. These benefits go

above and beyond what is required by

law and benefits the soldiers and their

families greatly.
Page 10 Spring 2004

Volunteers head family support

By Sgt. Matt Johnson

South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

Office

PIERRE -In the South Dakota National

Guard, it’s about Family. Family readiness

greatly contributes to the overall readiness

of the soldier and his unit.

With nearly 3,000 soldiers called to

support Operation Iraqi Freedom and other

overseas missions in the last year and a

half, nearly every South Dakotan has been

touched in some way by the recent military

activations.

During these often stressful times, the

S.D. Guard Family Program strives to

provide support and understanding for the

service members’ families left behind, but

they can’t do it alone.

Volunteers work closely with the units’

Family Support Groups to provide closeto-home, personal contact on a regular

basis from someone in the same situation.

“It would be so difficult to reach all the

families without the help of our

volunteers,” said Chief Warrant Officer

Lynn Wright, S.D. Guard Family Program

trainer. “These volunteers are their peers,

so many times the other family members

are more comfortable talking to and

working with them. They can relate to and

understand the situation.”

As liaisons between the families and the

S.D. Guard, these volunteers are crucial in

assisting family members during this time

of separation.

To better prepare these volunteers, the

Family Program conducted Guard Family

Team Building training in Chamberlain

March 5 - 7.

The “train the trainer” course provides

these volunteers with important

information and the skills to effectively

share this information with their peers in

the Family Support Groups. 

Upon returning to their groups, the

volunteers will cover topics such as

understanding the military’s chain of

command, military acronyms, stress and

conflict management, crisis and coping as

well as benefits, other entitlements and

pay.

“Our goal is for them to walk away with

the skills and confidence to get up in front

of people and present them with this

important information,” Wright said. “The

classes these volunteers will be presenting

are very beneficial to the families and will

hopefully enrich their lives and make the

separation a little easier.”

During the course, the volunteers learn

the importance of the planning process,

setting specific objectives and goals,

presentation tips and techniques as well as

ideas on how to enhance their meetings.

They also receive basic instruction on

preparing PowerPoint presentations and

the use of other visual aides. The course

culminates with each volunteer making a

presentation to the class.

“I’ve gotten a lot out of this course. I’ll

be much more comfortable, better

prepared and effective when getting up in

front of the group and presenting

information,” said Wendy Johnson, her

husband of 3 months, 2nd Lt. Quenten

Johnson, deployed with B Battery, 2nd

Battalion, 147th Field Artillery Brigade on

Dec. 27.

“I came with the goal of being able to

get up in front of people and talk to them,”

said Jessica Long of Watertown, her

Husband Specialist Scott Long is deployed

with HHS, 2nd Bn., 147th FA. “The

course this weekend really helped me.”

Both Long and Johnson feel the Family

Support Groups play a vital role during

deployments.

“They are so important. They give you

a chance to get to know the people going

through the same thing at the same time

that you’re going through,” said Johnson,

who spent only 2 weeks with her husband

before he deployed. “It’s an extra comfort

because they know how you feel.”

“They’re great to get everyone together

and share what your soldiers have shared

with you about their experiences,” said

Long, a mother of 3 young children. “It

really helps to get things out and talk about

them with people in the same situation

who really understand what you’re going

through.”

By Sgt. Matt Johnson

Family support volunteers gathered from across the state in Chamberlin March 5-

7 for training to enhance their skills in communication - a key element in the

Family Support mission.