South Dakota National Guard

Public Affairs Office

2823 West Main St.

Rapid City, S.D.     57702

(605) 737-6721 – 381-2216 

PAO 03-2-03

February 10, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RAPID CITY – The following South Dakota Army National Guard units received notice for federal activation, in support of Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom, this past weekend: 740^th Transportation Company of Milbank and Brookings, Detachment 3, 665^th Maintenance Company of Sioux Falls, and the 235^th Military Police Company of Custer and Rapid City.  Personnel from all three units will be on active duty orders Feb. 11^th and must arrive at their designated mobilization station on Feb. 14^th. 

In addition, the 1742^nd Transportation Company of Sioux Falls and Flandreau received its alert notice for possible activation in support of Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom on Feb. 9^th.  Currently, about 52 members of the unit are serving on active duty with the 727^th Transportation Company.  

Each of the activated units will host an activation ceremony on Feb 12^th.  The ceremony locations and times are as follows:

740^th Transportation Company

Milbank National Guard Armory (1001 E. Park Ave.)

9 a.m. (CST)

Detachment 3, 665^th Maintenance Company 

Sioux Falls National Guard Armory (801 W. National Guard Dr.) 

1 p.m. (CST)

235^th Military Police Company 

Rapid City National Guard Armory (3740 Range Road) 

4 p.m. (MST)

Unit Details…..

The 169-member 740^th Transportation Company is a medium truck company with 60 semi-tractors and 120 trailers designed to transport dry, refrigerated, containerized, or non-containerized cargo, bulk water, and bulk petroleum products. 

Last year, soldiers from the 740^th participated in an exercise called New Horizons, relocating equipment from Arizona, Connecticut, North Dakota, and Washington to Wisconsin in preparation for shipment to Rama, Nicaragua.  Several members also went to Nicaragua to transport the equipment from the port to the designated work sites.  Throughout training year 2002, the 740^th logged over 650,000 accident free miles supporting various exercises.    

South Dakota’s 740^th Transportation Company has a long history of excellence and proven readiness.  Unit members proudly served when called to active duty in both the Persian Gulf War (1990-1991) and the Berlin Crisis (1961-1962).

The 740^th commander is Capt. Pat Stapleton and 1^st Sgt. Dennis Furman is the top non-commissioned officer. 

Detachment 3, 665^th Maintenance Company is a 30-member unit that specializes in the maintenance of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

The top non-commissioned officer for the detachment is Sgt. 1^st Class Jeffrey Butler.

Organized in Sep. 1998, the 124-member 235^th Military Police Company has a mission to provide military police support and security.  It also supports the state by providing security during civil disturbances and natural disasters.  Following the events of September 11, 2001, the 235^th was called to provide security at Camp Rapid as well as at various airports around the state.

The 235^th commander is Capt. Doug Goshorn and 1^st Sgt. Dana Nelson is the top non-commissioned officer.

South Dakota’s 169 member 1742^nd Transportation Company like the 740^th is a medium truck company with 60 semi-tractors and 120 trailers.  It is designed to transport dry, refrigerated, containerized, or non-containerized cargo, and bulk water products. 

This past year, the 1742^nd participated in a national military exercise in Crane, Indiana called Golden Cargo, a large-scale transportation support operation.  During the exercise, the unit safely transported over 250 loads of ammunition.

Members of the 1742^nd proudly served their state and nation in the Persian Gulf War (1990-1991) receiving a meritorious citation for unit excellence. 

The 1742^nd commander is Capt. Jeff Norris and 1^st Sgt. Carey Myers is the top non-commissioned officer. 

South Dakota now has eight units activated and two on alert involving over 1200 soldiers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION - Contact the SDPAO - Maj. Fay Ludens at (605) 737-6721 or 381-2216 South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office.