Multi-role bridge company to mobilize for active duty


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                                                 South Dakota National Guard

                                       Public Affairs Office

2823 West Main St.

Rapid City, S.D.     57702

(605) 737-6721 – (605) 484-6331 

PAO 1-06

January 15, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Multi-role bridge company to mobilize for active duty

RAPID CITY – Another South Dakota National Guard unit was alerted Wednesday.  Members of the 200th Engineer Company from Pierre, Chamberlain and Mobridge received notice that they may possibly be called to support the efforts of Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom.

About 180 soldiers make up the 200th and its two detachments.  Last year, the unit was the first National Guard unit in the nation to be selected to become a multi-role bridge company and is capable of providing both fixed and floating bridges.

The 200th is one of the top bridge companies in the Army.  The headquarters of the 200th Engineer Company is located in Pierre and consists of Detachment 1 in Chamberlain and Detachment 2 in Mobridge.

The 200th is uniquely equipped with the Assault Float Ribbon Bridge and two Medium Girder Bridges.  The 200th uses its jet-propelled boats and floating bridge bays to build a temporary bridge that can span about 200 meters.  It also can configure the bays into rafts to transport vehicles and supplies across waterways. Each of Medium Girder Bridges can span a gap of 112 feet.

The unit commander is Capt. Kelly Stout of Highmore and 1st First Sgt. David VanCleave, Rapid City, is the senior non-commissioned officer.

The 200th is the fourth S.D. National Guard unit to be alerted in the past three weeks.  The 727th Transportation Company of Watertown, Brookings and Elk Point – the 665th Maintenance Company of Mitchell and Rapid City - and the 109th Engineer Battalion Headquarters of Sturgis were alerted and activated into federal service during that time period.  A total of 480 soldiers are affected by the alerts and activations.

·        The 665th will provide security for Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City and Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls by mid-February.

·        The public and media is invited to attend activation ceremonies for the two recent units that were mobilized.  The 109th ceremony will be held this Friday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. at the Sturgis National Guard Armory.  The 727th ceremony is scheduled for Saturday morning, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m. at the Brookings Area MultiPlex.  Governor Mike Rounds and Maj. Gen. Philip Killey will address both gatherings.

·        Missions for the 109th and the 727th are not known at this time.

·        Operation Noble Eagle is the military effort in fighting the war against terrorism and involves homeland defense and support to federal, state and local agencies within the United States.   Operation Enduring Freedom involves operations outside the country.

·        Fifty-five Army Guard soldiers from Rapid City’s 155th Engineer Detachment are serving in Kuwait. They arrived in Kuwait in early July and could serve up to a year there.

·        ATTENTION MEDIA - A press conference will be held Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the Pierre National Guard Armory.  Please do not try to contact the unit until the scheduled press conference.

FOR MORE INFORMATION -Contact Lt. Col. Scott Jacobson at (605) 737-6693 (391-8172) or Mr. Roger C. Anderson at (605) 737-6268 (530-7876) or SFC Don Matthews at (605) 737-6234 (391-6631). 

South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office.