South Dakota National Guard
For Immediate Release:  14 June 2001 
For More Information: Angela Brooks, 737-6721

National Guard unit takes on new role

RAPID CITY -- Building bridges will take the 200^th Engineer Co. of Pierre, Mobridge and Chamberlain, over rivers and canals, and beginning this year, it will also take them straight into history.

The 200^th is the first ever National Guard unit to provide both fixed (land) and floating (water) bridge capability to meet virtually any bridge need. The unit’s new multi-role will also be accompanied by new equipment, allowing South Dakota to set an important standard within the National Guard. 

"From an engineering standpoint, the multi-role bridge company makes the South Dakota National Guard as capable as any engineer bridge company in the military," said Maj. Harold Walker, Battalion Executive Officer. 

The purpose of the multi-role bridge transporter is to move military bridging to locations too rugged for the average vehicle to travel. The bridge equipment provides increased maneuverability that would allow a tank or transportation truck to scale across a 150 foot drop-off, or a raging river below. 

Equipment of the new multi-role bridge company, includes:

Medium Girder Bridge: A transportable, field assembled, double girder deck bridge capable of spanning gaps of 12 to 151.5

A Common Bridge Transporter lifts a boat out of Orman Dam, preparing to place it onto the boat cradle, as Cadet Kevin Huxford (far left) motions the transporter back to shore.

feet.

Common Bridge Transporter: A 33-foot long transporter that launches float and fixed bridge equipment into the water. A crane enables the CBT to lift the bridge equipment out of the water, and place it back onto the boat cradle.

Palletized Load System Trailer: Provides for rapid movement of ammunition, cargo and fixed bridge equipment with loads as heavy as 33,000 lbs.

To create the unit’s new identity, the 211^th Engineer Company located in Mobridge and Lemmon will be deactivated on Sept. 1. The soldiers in Mobridge will become a detachment of the 200^th, and the Lemmon unit is converting to the 854^th Water Purification Detachment. Before the merger, separate units were called on to handle land and water obstacles. The impact of the unit’s new role makes it more versatile.

Walker said that the project has been in the works for the last two-years, and that the 200^th was chosen because it is the highest rated float bridge company in the National Guard, out of seven other companies. 

Before it could reach such a high standing, the unit first had to meet all strength and readiness goals required by the National Guard Bureau. Only those units that are most ready are mobilized.

When it became apparent that the South Dakota National Guard had an advantageous situation on hand, they immediately acted on it. 

"It was apparent that if we didn’t do anything, it wouldn’t be until 2005 before we received any new equipment," said Col. Raymond Carpenter, Chief of Staff. "The reason we’re first, is because we took the initiative to do something about it." 

To get the $13.5 millions in funds needed to obtain the new equipment, the Guard turned to the state’s congressional delegation for assistance. In 1999, the delegation allocated more funds to the S.D. defense budget to cover the expenses. 

According to Brig. Gen. Don Goldhorn, the unit was not chosen by accident.

"We were chosen because we have a high quality of soldiers, who are the best at what they do," he said.

The unit’s 184 soldiers sharpened their skills during annual training, June 2 – 16. At the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Rapid City, training focused on maintenance, where soldiers learned how to diagnose and repair problems in the new equipment to keep it up and running. 

Drivers training occurred at West Camp Rapid, where soldiers learned the basic operations behind moving the equipment. Equipment operators must be licensed to use the new transports. 

Soldiers battled brutal winds during systems training at Orman Dam, near Belle Fourche. Powerful waves aggressively tossed the boats, as the bridge equipment was launched into the water, and recovered by the Common Bridge Transporter.

The new transporters easily muscled through Orman Dam’s muddy shores, powered by their eight-wheel drive capabilities. The same effort might have been more complicated with the modified, five-ton trucks used in the past. 

The unit also assembled a Medium Girder Bridge at the site, which supported numerous vehicles across a portion of the road.

"The reason we need to be excited about having the multi-role bridge company in South Dakota is because it continues to make us relevant, and that is the key to success in this Army," Goldhorn said.

On Oct. 13, the unit will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Pierre, to signify that they are fully functional and have met all readiness, strength and equipment training goals. 

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