Soldiers deliver timber to support reservation communities

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers help unload timber at Fort Thompson on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation in S.D., June 10, 2015. The timber was transported to the reservation as part of the Golden Coyote training exercise to foster positive relationships with the local communities.  

FORT THOMPSON, SD, UNITED STATES

06.12.2015

Story by Pfc. Kristin Lichius 

129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Army National Guard and Reserve members haul timber from the Black Hills of South Dakota to the Cheyenne River and Crow Creek Sioux Reservations during the Golden Coyote training exercise June 6-20.

For nearly a decade, the Golden Coyote timber haul mission has helped provide the residents of the reservations with timber for heating, construction and ceremonial purposes.

“This mission is important because it provides incredibly valuable training and experience for the units as well as gives us the privilege and honor to support the South Dakota National Guard’s mission to serve the people of this state,” said Capt. Linden Allen, the commander of the Illinois National Guard’s 1644th Transportation Company.

The members of the Army Reserve’s 996th Engineer Company, of Wisconsin, used hydraulic excavators to load timber onto trucks to be transported to the reservations by members of the 1644th.

“This is a great opportunity for us to operate our equipment on a large scale project,” said Sgt. Steve McCarthy, team leader for the 996th.

This is the first time many of the soldiers from both units have been given the opportunity to use their skills.

“This is great training for some of our new soldiers,” said Allen. “We’re used to transporting military equipment and containers so it’s a unique experience for all of us hauling timber. I’m hoping the unit learns a lot from conducting a convoy over different types of terrain and supporting real-world missions.”

“We expect to haul 24 truck loads of timber to the reservations on our first day,” said 1st Lt. Nicholas Fraizer, platoon leader for the 1644th prior to the departure of the timber. “I estimate that we will drive each truck over 3,000 miles during annual training,”

The team met their goals and transported 12 truckloads of wood to Cherry Creek, 10 to Fort Thompson and two to Crow Creek.

“The long haul gives us more training on the road which is important,” said Spc. Joshua Pitts, a truck driver with the 1644th. “I enjoy driving and I’m excited to be able to meet new people.”

“One of the most important goals of the timber haul is help foster positive relationships between the local tribal nations, the state of South Dakota and the South Dakota National Guard,” said Capt. Leonard Roy of the Army Reserve’s 407th Civil Affairs Battalion, of Minnesota.

• Date Taken: 06.12.2015
• Date Posted: 06.12.2015 14:30
• Story ID: 166444
• Location: FORT THOMPSON, SD, US
• Hometown: ARDEN HILLS, MN, US
• Hometown: MILWAUKEE, WI, US
• Hometown: ROCK FALLS, IL, US