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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Army releases official statement on unit rotations for Operation Iraqi Freedom
Rapid City – For several months, National Guard officials have been pushing the Army for answers as to how long our South Dakota units will remain in Iraq.
“Gen. John Keane, acting Chief of Staff of the Army, had earlier announced return dates for some active Army units but nothing was said about National Guard units,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Gorman, adjutant general. “It’s hard to talk to family members and have to say “I don’t know when they're coming home.”
But that situation may have changed today, when the U.S. Army published the following news release dated September 9, 2003.
Unit Rotations in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
The Army has consistently stated a tour of duty for all units, both active and reserve components, participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom would be up to 12 months in their areas of operation. On 23 July 2003, General Keane announced that U.S. Army units currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) will remain in theater for up to one year. This action ensures the combatant commander has the capabilities on hand to accomplish his mission.
A Washington Post story released today that stated “the Army has ordered thousands of National Guard and Army Reserve forces in Iraq to extend their tours in country to a year” led to some confusion.
“It may be a reality, but we still haven’t received any official word other than the Army news release put out this afternoon,” said Gorman. “It’s unfortunate, but we don’t have any control over the Army’s decision.”
According to the soldiers’ mobilization orders, the initial tour of duty was listed as one year with the possibility of that period of time being shortened or extended depending on mission requirements.
“The assumption was that the ‘one year’ was from the time the unit was placed on active duty orders,” said Maj. Fay Ludens, the Guard’s public affairs officer. “Although soldiers, families, and employers knew that the Guard could be activated for more than one year, for many, it wasn’t a reality.”
“Nothing I can say to the families and employers will make them feel any better about this news,” said Gorman. “We hoped our soldiers would return home sooner. It’s obvious our units are playing a major role in Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
South Dakota’s three-transportation companies have logged nearly 1.8 million mission miles hauling needed supplies throughout Iraq and Kuwait. Company B, 109th Medical Battalion has treated about 2,000 patients including military members and Iraqi civilians. The 300-meter float bridge put in place by the 200th Engineer Company north of Baghdad serves as a major thoroughfare across the Tigris River for military shipment of supplies and troops. The 842nd Engineer Company’s two big projects include constructing a five mile road to accommodate most of the large vehicle traffic at Baghdad International Airport and clearing a large area where they will install a road network for a division headquarters.
Units currently located in Iraq/Kuwait
Unit Home Station Deployed to Kuwait/Iraq Location # Soldiers
200th Engineer Company Pierre, Chamberlain 5 April 2003 Ba’Qubah, 170
Mobridge, Lemmon Iraq
727th Transportation Co. Elk Point, Brookings 5 April 2003 Camp Coyote 120
Watertown, Flandreau Kuwait
Company B, 109th Med. Bn. Vermillion 6 April 2003 Baghdad 65
Intl. Airport
740th Transportation Co. Milbank, Brookings 19 April 2003 Iraq/Kuwait 140
Border
842nd Engineer Co. Spearfish, Belle Fourche, 3 June 2003 Baghdad 150
Sturgis Intl. Airport
1742nd Transportation Co Sioux Falls, Flandreau, 9 June 2003 Camp Anaconda 105
Kansas NG North of Baghdad
Units currently serving in U.S.
Unit Home Station Mobilized Location # Soldiers
235th Military Police Co. Custer, Rapid City 11 Feb 2003 Fort Carson 90
665th Maintenance Co. Mitchell, Rapid City 30 Jan 2003 Ellsworth, AFB 125
Joe Foss Field - SF
Detachment 3, 665th Maint. Co. Sioux Falls 11 Feb 2003 Fort Sill, Okla. 30
196th Regioan Training Institute Fort Meade, SD 25 Feb 2003 Fort Bragg, N.C. 3
Units that returned after serving in Kuwait/Iraq
109th Engineer Battalion Sturgis 16 Feb – July 26, 2003 Iraq 39
114th Civil Engineering Sioux Falls 14 April – 8 August, 2003 Iraq 55
Squadron, ANG
114th Maintenance Sioux Falls 2 March – 11 May Qatar 20
Squadron, (Munitions) ANG
155th Engineer Detachment Rapid City 8 July 02 – 14 Feb 03 Kuwait 57
Activated units that returned after training at mobilization station
Battery C, 2nd Bn, 147th FA Redfield, Miller Fort Campbell, Ky 94
1st Battalion, 147th FA Sioux Falls, Yankton, Mitchell, Salem Fort Sill, Okla. 373
129th Mobile Public Affairs Rapid City Fort Riley, Kans. 7
Detachment