South Dakota Air National Guard
For Immediate Release: October 17, 2001
For additional information contact Lt Col Reid A. Christopherson at: 605-988-5902

SD Air National Guard’s Involvment in Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom

Sioux Falls, SD -- In the month following the terrorist attacks on the United States, the "Fightin’ Lobos" of the South Dakota Air National Guard have supported the efforts of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom throughout a broad spectrum of taskings.

In the days following the attack a small group of individuals volunteered to serve in augmentation roles at the Headquarters of the Air National Guard. Two groups of traditional guardmembers experienced the reality of activation notice followed by deployment within 48-hours to undisclosed operating locations within the Middle East. Members of the Security Forces Squadron were activated in place to robust the security operations for the personnel and resources at Joe Foss Field. Other unit members accepted the call to active duty to provide enhanced security for the commercial terminal operations at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport.

Within the coming days and weeks over 270 men and women of the South Dakota Air National Guard will continue to deploy as part of the previously scheduled Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) and Expeditionary Combat Support (ECS) rotations of the United States Air Force’s Expeditionary Air Force (EAF) plan. Their travels will take them to countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey and France. Their dedicated service will provide invaluable support to both the offensive and defensive actions of our great nation in a threatening global environment.

Throughout it all the South Dakota Air National Guard also continues to complete daily training and operational requirements. Even as our nation is at war the "Fightin’ Lobos" continue to utilize every opportunity to refine and develop their professional skills.

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