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Delivering the news from Golden Coyote 2014
Coyote Courier
Volume 30, Issue 3
June 16, 2014
Continued on page 4
Employers try hand at military training
Story and photos by Sgt. Mark VanGerpen
129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
scope of responsibility their service member may have.
Tey see talents and skills that they may not see at
their place of employment. So it really helps them to
see what it is their service member does, what theyre
responsible for and how many service members they
may be leading. It also allows them to take a look
inside the military as to what we do, how we train and
how we support our communities.
Te days started early, with Humvee convoys and
a weapons simulator, giving the employers a taste
of what its like to fre an M-4 rife and be part of a
mounted patrol. Drill sergeants taught them the basics
of marching in true drill sergeant fashion.
Tey also saw Soldiers practicing hand-to-hand
Nineteen employers from across South Dakota re-
ceived a small sample of military life at the South
Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves
Bosslif, June 11-12, during the Golden Coyote train-
ing exercise.
Nominated for the event by their military employees,
the employers experienced weapons training, convoys,
fight simulators, combat scenarios, early mornings
and military meals in two fast-paced days at Camp
Rapid and Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
Employers ofentimes dont understand what it is
their employee does for their military duty, said Maj.
Lona Christensen, program director, South Dakota
ESGR. When we bring employers out, they see the
Bruce Ashlund, an accountant with Dons Tax Service of Rapid City, S.D., takes aim on an M240B machine gun in a weapons simulator during the
South Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Bosslift, June 11-12, 2014, at Camp Rapid, S.D.
coyote courier page 2
Going to the dogs (and cats)
Veterinary mission serves Native American pet owners
M
embers of the Army Reserves 432nd Civil
Afairs Battalion are visiting the Cheyenne
River Indian Reservation in South Dakota dur-
ing the Golden Coyote training exercise looking
for dogs and cats to vaccinate against diseases
such as rabies and distemper.
Te Reserve Soldiers are headquartered in
Eagle Butte, a small community on the Chey-
enne River Indian Reservation, for the duration
of this years Golden Coyote.
Te 432nd is partnering with the Cheyenne
River Sioux Tribe in its eforts to reduce disease,
particularly rabies, among its large dog and cat
population.
Ethel Morgan, the animal control manager
for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, said many
of the reservations residents fnd it difcult to
aford veterinarian visits. Te 432nd is provid-
ing free vaccinations for dogs and cats during
Golden Coyote.
Were trying to make our streets safe so that
our children can play in the playgrounds and
our older people can get out in their neighbor-
hoods to exercise, said Morgan. Rabies has
been a problem here on the reservation and the
Army has been a really big help to us.
Tis is the second year in a row that Soldiers
have provided veterinarian services to residents
of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe during the
annual exercise.
Te 432nd, along
with Morgan, ex-
pects to visit more
than 20 communi-
ties on the reserva-
tion by the time
Golden Coyote
ends. Te vac-
cination drive requires
the Soldiers to conduct
door-to-door visits with
as many houses as pos-
sible in each community.
If I were out here by
myself, it would take me
at least two days to go door-to-door even in a smaller
community, Morgan said. Te Soldiers help me do
this so much faster. Plus, Id probably miss a lot of ani-
mals if I were alone.
At each house that has a dog or cat, Soldiers take a
picture of the pet and make notes on what type it is so
the tribes animal control ofce has a record of it. Each
pet then receives a rabies and distemper vaccination.
Maj. Adam Wiechmann, a veterinarian with the
407th Civil Afairs Battalion, who is attached to the
432nd for Golden Coyote, said the local residents seem
very receptive to the immunization eforts.
Weve had a lot of success, especially in the smaller
communities, said Wiechmann, a resident of Sum-
merset, S.D. A lot of times when people see us pull
into their town, we almost get swarmed by them want-
ing to get their pets immunized.
Te immunization team estimates it will vaccinate
about 400 animals during Golden Coyote, he said.
We want people here to see our uniforms and know
that were here to help them, Wiechmann said. Were
providing pet vaccines for a lot of people who other-
wise might not be able to aford it. Being able to meet
that need is very satisfying.
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Steve Reeves
314th Press Camp Headquarters
Above: Maj. Adam Wiechmann, a veterinarian with the 407th Civil Afairs Battalion, U.S. Army
Reserve, vaccinated a dog against rabies in the community of Isabel, S.D. Wiechmann and mem-
bers of the 432nd Civil Afairs Battalion are vaccinating cats and dogs on the Cheyenne River Indian
Reservation during Golden Coyote 2014.
Left: Ted Marrowbone, an animal control ofcer for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, makes a tag
for a dog that has just received rabies and distemper vaccinations. Marrowbone is assisting Soldiers
who are vaccinating pets on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.
coyote courier page 3
Te 15th annual KNBN Mili-
tary Appreciation Picnic will be
Wednesday, from 5 to 7 p.m., on
Camp Rapid in the Duke Corning
Armory west parking lot. Te event
is held in appreciation and support
of our military members and their
families and to express thanks for
their service and sacrifce. Fam-
ily members are also welcome to
attend.
Burgers, hot dogs, pizza, potato
salad, beans, chips, soda and water
are on the menu. Tis will be the
evening meal for Camp Rapid - the
DFAC will not be in operation.
Te Mobile USO Show Troupe
will also be providing live musical
entertainment for the event. KN-
BNs News Center 1 team will also
conduct a live news broadcast of
the event beginning at 5:30 p.m.
In the event of inclement weather,
the event will be held on the Duke
Corning Armory drill foor.
NOTE: All military and civilian
vehicles must be removed from
the Duke Corning Armory west
parking lot no later than 6 p.m.
Tuesday to allow for picnic setup.
KNBN hosts picnic
The Danish Home Guard started building a pond soon after they arrived at FOB Custer, and
over the period of the exercise it has come to be known as Lake Custer. Troops of other
nationalities staying at FOB Custer have also adopted the pond and are making their own
additions. Lake Custer has come to feature a plastic crocodile, a rubber duck and a light-
house and is comlete with an island and beaches. Lake Custer has become a gathering
place where the troops are getting to know the Danes whenever they have a few minutes
to spare. Photo by Cpl. Hlne Mogensen de Monlon, Danish Home Guard Public Afairs.
Pfc. Latoinetta Duhart of the Michigan National
Guards 272nd Regional Support Group of Jackson,
Mich., takes a selfe during medical training at
Camp Rapid. Send your selfes to 314thPCH@gmail.
com and you may be featured in the Coyote Courier.
Col. John Oberkirsch, Combined Joint Task Force commander, center, cuts into a cake in cel-
ebration of the Armys 239th birthday. Oberkirsch was joined by (left to right) Lt. Col. Bryon
Gerwolds, executive ofcer of the 272nd Regional Support Group, Capt. Jeremy Brendzen, FOB
Coyote mayor, Navy Capt. Brian Hodgson, executive ofcer of the Expeditionary Medical Facility,
and Cpl. ason LaCroix of the Canadian Army, 32nd Brigade Infuence Activities Company.
Celebrating 239 years
Lake Custer takes shape
Soldier selfie
coyote courier page 4
combat, reacting to enemy contact and care under fre
or frst aid on the battlefeld.
All of it highlighted the vastly diferent lifestyles that
Guard members and Reservists lead when they leave
the workplace for military duty.
Debra Mehrer, nurse manager for the adolescent
and chemical dependency program at the Human
Services Center in Yankton, S.D., oversees four Na-
tional Guard members in her department. Seeing
military training frsthand gave her a better un-
derstanding of those employees responsibilities
on drill weekends and their two-week military
commitments during the summer.
Everything has been an eye-opening experi-
ence, seeing what all the Soldiers do to prepare
and what the training all entails, Mehrer said.
I give them a lot of credit, because it is a lot
of hard work. Im tired from just two days, but
these young men and women are up early, prob-
ably out late, and its just day afer day. I give
them credit for their stamina, endurance and
patience.
Not all of the training was on the ground. Em-
ployers also got in the cockpit of a fight simu-
lator at Ellsworth Air Force Base, toured a B-1
bomber and few aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk heli-
copter fight past Mount Rushmore.
Tyler Ruhd, assistant director of admissions with
Dakota State University, said the whole experience
showed him not only the vast knowledge base neces-
sary to being profcient as a Soldier or Airman, but
also how to alter his own leadership style to more
efectively communicate with the military employee
under him.
Tis was an opportunity to see what my employee
does on his one weekend a month, two weeks a year
obligated duties, Ruhd said. Instead of just signing
of on his timesheet, I can actually physically see what
he actually does.
ESGR has hosted Bosslifs in a variety of locations,
usually at military bases where employers service
members are mobilizing for deployment. However,
Golden Coyote ofers civilian employers a more
extensive list of training experiences, due to the large
number of service members who attend every year.
Its been a great experience, Ruhd said. I defnitely
recommend it to anyone else out there. Ill defnitely
be talking it up when I get back.
Employers
Continued from page 1
Left: Tyler Ruhd, left, assistant
director of admissions at
Dakota State University, and
Jennifer Klawitter of Sanford
Health, get fipped upside
down in the Humvee Egress
Assistance Trainer during the
South Dakota Employer Sup-
port of the Guard and Reserve
Bosslift.
Below:Kathleen Hawks, owner
of Bobs Lock and Key Shop in
Sioux Falls, S.D., has her Army
Combat Helmet adjusted by
Maj. Lona Christensen, pro-
gram director, South Dakota
Employer Support of the Guard
and Reserve, during the ESGR
Bosslift, June 11-12, 2014.
coyote courier page 5
T
he Acting Director of the Army
National Guard, Maj. Gen. Judd
H. Lyons, visited Camp Rapid to
tour the 30th annual Golden Coyote
training exercise hosted by the South
Dakota Army National Guard, June 11,
in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Lyons, along with Maj. Gen. Tim
Reisch, the adjutant general of the
SDNG, and other key leadership few
to some of the training locations for
Golden Coyote to get an overview
of operations and see the training in
action.
The way that the South
Dakota National Guard has
organized Golden Coyote
offers several different
opportunities for participating
units, Lyons said. A unit
commander that participates
has the opportunity to design
his or her own training
objectives and tap into some
great training
areas, support
and support staff,
which allows a
commander to
focus on his or
her goals.
With the
National Guards
dual mission of
supporting both
state governors
in peacetime missions and
reporting to the president in
federal or wartime situations,
being prepared for a wide
Touring the training area
Maj. Gen. Judd H. Lyons, acting director of the Army National Guard, and Col. Andy L.
Hall, chief of operations division, tour Forward Operating Base Custer, in Custer State
Park, S.D., during the Golden Coyote training exercise, June 11, 2014. Lyons visited
Golden Coyote to get insight on the operations and training happening in the Black
Hills during the exercise. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staf Sgt. Jacqueline
Fitzgerald
Above: Maj. Gen. Judd H. Lyons, acting director, Army National Guard
visits with (from left to right,) Staf Sgt. Penelope Hudgins, Spc. Alex-
ander Andrews, 1st Lt. Cassandra Hartshon, of the 137th Transportation
Company, Kansas National Guard.
Left: During his tour of the Golden Coyote training exercise, Maj. Gen.
Judd H. Lyons, acting director of the Army National Guard, visits with
Spc. Patrick Irvin, 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Missouri Na-
tional Guard, about tactical operations center procedures on Camp Rapid,
S.D., June 11, 2014. The 110th MEB served as the higher headquarters
for feld training exercises throughout Golden Coyote. U.S. Army National
Guard photo by Staf Sgt. Jacqueline Fitzgerald
By Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Fitzgerald
coyote courier page 6
variety of warrior tasks is essential.
Col. Tim Moran, SDNG deputy chief
of staff of operations, said the Golden
Coyote exercise has a unique theme
that gives units an advantage when it
comes to annual training.
If I had to use one phrase I would
use unsanitized environment,
Moran said. Its not scripted so that
at 10 p.m. the opposition force will
attack at this location with this many
people; its based on what the units
want to train on in this unsanitized
environment. You wont get that
specialization at other events.
With the National Guard being better
trained, equipped and more heavily
relied upon than ever, providing
quality training opportunities is vital
to maintaining combat and support
readiness for any scenario.
Lyons said in order to maintain
this level of commitment its vital to
provide high quality-training events.
We have to continue to offer
these types of opportunities, said
Lyons. I believe home-station
training is important; it defnitely
has a role, but in order for us to keep
our Soldiers engaged in what theyre
doing we have to give them different
opportunities in different locations to
exercise their military occupational
skills and collective training, and
Golden Coyote is a great example of
that.
According to Moran, visiting
Golden Coyote may help Lyons and
staff at National Guard Bureau in
upcoming plans for training troops
as deployments draw down and the
Guard shifts to more stateside focused
missions.
(Lyons) got to see the capabilities
of what this exercise brings to Guard
units across the nation, Moran said.
He will do a mental assessment and
it will help him make future decisions
on how to train those units. Now he
will know what Golden Coyote brings;
especially in reference to using scarce
resources and funding for units to be
able to travel to this exercise.
faces of golden coyote
Spc.Latya Morgan
Michigan Army National Guard
Role at Golden Coyote:
Performs laundry, shower,
personnel and clothing
decontamination, and
other functions to support
feld-training missions.
Maj. Gen. Judd H. Lyons (right), acting director of
the Army National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch,
the adjutant general of the South Dakota National
Guard, meet with Mr. Bryan Brewer, Oglala Sioux Tribe
President, at a drop point on the Pine Ridge Indian Res-
ervation for the timber haul mission during the Golden
Coyote training exercise, June 11, 2014. The timber haul
mission involved hauling raw lumber to a number of
towns within the reservation to help support the Oglala
Sioux Tribe. Lyons visited Golden Coyote to get insight
on the operations and training happening here in the
Black Hills during the exercise. U.S. Army National Guard
photo by Staf Sgt. Jacqueline Fitzgerald
Touring
Continued from page 5
Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, the adjutant general of the South Dakota
National Guard, visits the newly constructed Black Hills Playhouses
Executive Director, Linda Anderson and Operations Manager, Jason
Reuter to tour the newly constructed costume building. The 155th
Engineer Company (vertical) along with soldiers from the U.K.
began the construction project last year during the 2013 Golden
Coyote exercise. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Cpt. Amber
Symonds