South Dakota National Guard
For More Information:  Janette K. Fetch, Sergeant 1st Class, 129th Public Affairs Detachment, (605) 737-6293
* The following release comes from the National Guard Golden Thunder Exercise at Camp Rapid, South Dakota. The exercise involves 6,500 soldiers, 75 units and 17 states. The exercise ranges from Camp Rapid, SD to Camp Guernsey, WY.*

Engineers: runway success

By Spc. Wes Nowitzki
129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (S. D.)

With their faces ripped by high winds, brutal sun pounding heat on their backs, and dust tearing at their eyes, the soldiers of the 842nd Engineer Company (S.D.), are defeating the elements and getting the job done. 

The mission: construct a crosswind runway at the Sturgis Municipal Airport.

According to Capt. Nick Krebs, 842nd Commander, even with a few storms delaying progress, the soldiers are still forging ahead and staying on schedule. The 40 soldiers are working to complete the 120-foot wide runway that stretches more than half a mile, which involves moving approximately 100,000 cubic yards of material.

The project will provide the airport a safer way for incoming airplanes to land. Krebs said that most of the air traffic is local crop dusters and emergency planes for the Veterans Administration Hospital located at Ft. Meade in Sturgis, S.D.

Another important task for these soldiers is the security they must maintain, which translates into a 24-hour surveillance, keeping their eyes open and watching for opposing forces (simulated by the 1/134th Infantry Regiment from Nebraska).

Sgt. Fred Smith, with South Dakota’s 842nd Engineer Company, scrapes topsoil off a runway being built at the Sturgis Municipal Airport during Golden Thunder 2001.

Sgt. Fred Smith, a grader operator for the 842nd, spotted an enemy and tried to capture him. He noticed the opposing force attempting to sneak up on the runway using large barrel sized hay bails as concealment. 

Instead, Smith used his military training to to capture the intruder, who tried to escape but was foiled when Smith used his expert rifle skills. 

Soldiers of the 842nd and the opposing forces are using the MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems) gear for the simulated attacks. The 842nd soldiers will have to maintain this vigilance throughout the Golden Thunder Exercise in order to complete their mission successfully.

The 842nd also has to deal with a mock exercise of being in a different country. They have to be on the lookout for local refugees, and deal with them asking for food and trying to access the compound.

Another important factor for the soldiers is staying healthy. With the high temperatures, the soldiers must drink plenty of fluids, as dehydration and heat stroke are some of the most immediate safety threats. 

"The lightning is also a dangerous aspect to our exercise," said Krebs, "and safety for the soldiers is an important task."

With weather playing a major role and the enemy watching and waiting for a chance to infiltrate the compound, the 842nd will keep busy training in this real time scenario.

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