South Dakota National Guard

Public Affairs Office

Phone: 605-737-6721 Email: ng.sd.sdarng.list.pao@mail.mil Web: https://sdguard.ngb.army.mil www.facebook.com/SouthDakotaNationalGuard www.flickr.com/SouthDakotaNationalGuard https://twitter.com/SD_Guard

June 15, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The commander-in chief of the South Dakota National Guard, Gov. Dennis Daugaard, visited his Soldiers today participating in the Golden Coyote training exercise in the Black Hills. Daugaard was able to witness operations for the 29th annual exercise at Camp Rapid and in Custer State Park.

During his visit, Daugaard met with Soldiers from the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of Sioux Falls, the 155th Engineer Company of Wagner and Rapid City, the 153rd Engineer Battalion of Huron and Company A, 139th Brigade Support Battalion of Redfield and Watertown, and had an opportunity to discuss the training they have been undergoing during the exercise.

“It’s impressive to see the operations, training and the projects the National Guard troops are completing,” said Daugaard. “It’s a great exercise and they’re doing a great job!”

Daugaard also had the opportunity to see his National Guard Soldiers training alongside troops from Denmark and the United Kingdom.

“Seeing the South Dakota National Guard working beside troops from other nations is a wonderful thing, because we know that in a real-world environment – when there is a military need in Afghanistan, Iraq or any other part of the world there’s conflict – we will often work together as NATO troops or as a multi- national force,” said Daugaard. “It makes sense to practice together so we’re ready when we need to serve together.”

Daugaard said he was particularly pleased with the training and work that is being accomplished with many of the community service projects as part of the exercise, such as the construction of a new wardrobe building at the Black Hills Playhouse.

“It’s especially great to see training being done not just in a way that builds skills, but also in a way that creates value,” said Daugaard, of the construction project. “Here, we’re training electricians, carpenters and plumbers, but we’re also doing something practical and useful for the community. So, at the end of the day they’ll be trained and know their skills even better and have worked together with countrymen, foreign friends and have created something of value.”

This year exercise includes more than 3,500 service members from 55 units representing 22 states, which includes soldiers from five allied nations from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada, Kosovo and Germany. Units come from multiple branches of military service – Army, Navy and Air Force – to receive relevant training opportunities in support of overseas contingency operations, homeland defense and community support missions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Maj. Anthony Deiss at (605) 737-6721 or cell (605) 431-8753, or e-mail ng.sd.sdarng.list.pao@mail.mil