By Sgt. 1st Class Kim Smith

RAPID CITY - The South Dakota Army National Guard welcomed a new aviation detachment during a re-flagging ceremony Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Army Aviation Support Facility near the Rapid City Regional Airport.

"This new detachment is one of the early steps in the military's transformation to a more modular, mobile force," said Lt. Col. Mark Johnston, commander of the 881st Troop Command in Pierre, which manages and provides support to the new detachment.

Detachment 1 of Company B, 935th Aviation Support Battalion became the newest South Dakota unit during the ceremony and replaces Detachment 3, Company F, 238th Aviation Intermediate Maintenance. The re-flagging portion of the event was the ceremonial uncovering of a new guidon that symbolizes the unit's command.

Chief Warrant Officer Wayne Walker of Rapid City is the detachment's commander and Staff Sgt. Kurt Gross, Rapid City, is the unit's first sergeant.

The new detachment will serve as an intermediate aviation maintenance company for Blackhawk helicopters. During peacetime, the detachment will primarily provide maintenance support for Company C, 1st Battalion 189th Aviation of Rapid City.

"As we have proven over the last few years, the National Guard is more of an operational force, rather than a federal reserve for active duty components," said Johnston.

The new detachment's headquarters is located in Chicago, Ill. Other detachments in the company are located in Nebraska, Missouri, and Georgia.

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