WEBVTT 00:01.885 --> 00:04.320 (dramatic orchestral music) 00:04.320 --> 00:06.680 - [Narrator] The South Dakota National Guard once again, 00:06.680 --> 00:08.970 distinguished its self as one of the premiere 00:08.970 --> 00:12.470 national guard organizations in the nation in 2018. 00:12.470 --> 00:15.910 Just as it has for the past 156 years. 00:15.910 --> 00:18.340 From serving in combat operations overseas, 00:18.340 --> 00:20.880 to supporting domestic emergencies here at home. 00:20.880 --> 00:23.830 Our soldiers and airmen have once again answered the call 00:23.830 --> 00:25.260 to help people in need. 00:25.260 --> 00:27.530 Time and time again we have proven 00:27.530 --> 00:31.600 to be a competent, reliable, capable and effective force. 00:31.600 --> 00:33.770 Support to federal commitments world wide 00:33.770 --> 00:37.950 continued in 2018 as more than 590 soldiers and airmen 00:37.950 --> 00:42.190 from seven units supported overseas contingency operations. 00:42.190 --> 00:45.090 15 soldiers from the 200th Engineer Company 00:45.090 --> 00:46.900 returned in May from the Middle East 00:46.900 --> 00:48.840 as a bridge training team in support 00:48.840 --> 00:50.990 of Operation Inherent Resolve. 00:50.990 --> 00:53.410 The team emplaced and repaired bridges 00:53.410 --> 00:55.690 throughout the region to ensure freedom of movement 00:55.690 --> 00:58.630 for US military and coalition forces. 00:58.630 --> 01:01.620 Three soldiers from the 216th Engineered Detachment, 01:01.620 --> 01:03.630 our firefighting team, returned home 01:03.630 --> 01:06.130 from Romania and Bulgaria in May after providing 01:06.130 --> 01:09.210 command and control of attached firefighting teams. 01:09.210 --> 01:12.260 The unit provided fire protection of aviation assets, 01:12.260 --> 01:14.060 facilities and installations 01:14.060 --> 01:16.160 in the European Command of Operation. 01:16.160 --> 01:19.300 In June, 25 Soldiers from Detachment One 01:19.300 --> 01:22.490 Company B 935th Aviation Support Battalion 01:22.490 --> 01:24.090 deployed for duty in the Middle East 01:24.090 --> 01:26.360 in support for Operation Spartan Shield 01:26.360 --> 01:28.970 where they are providing aviation maintenance and repair 01:28.970 --> 01:33.080 support for U.S. Army Rotary Aircraft and Avionic Systems. 01:33.080 --> 01:36.340 The Air National Guard 114th Fighter Wing saw the deployment 01:36.340 --> 01:39.980 and return of 335 airmen to southwest Asia 01:39.980 --> 01:42.840 as a part of an air expeditionary force rotation 01:42.840 --> 01:45.160 from late July through early November. 01:45.160 --> 01:48.610 The U.S. Air Force routinely deploys fighter aircraft units 01:48.610 --> 01:50.980 to the region to provide combatant commanders 01:50.980 --> 01:53.650 with the capabilities needed to maintain a deterrent 01:53.650 --> 01:56.740 against threats to regional security and stability. 01:56.740 --> 01:59.000 93 soldiers from Company C, 01:59.000 --> 02:01.130 1st of the 189th Aviation Regiment, 02:01.130 --> 02:03.400 returned home from the Middle East in September 02:03.400 --> 02:05.220 after a year long deployment in support 02:05.220 --> 02:07.010 of Operation Spartan Shield. 02:07.010 --> 02:10.020 The unit provided unit aerial medical evacuation support 02:10.020 --> 02:10.920 throughout the region 02:10.920 --> 02:14.100 with their HH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters. 02:14.100 --> 02:17.790 In December, 114 soldiers from Bravo Battery, 02:17.790 --> 02:19.870 1st of the 147th Field Artillery 02:19.870 --> 02:22.350 and the 147th Forward Support Company 02:22.350 --> 02:24.860 deployed to Europe with European commands area 02:24.860 --> 02:27.760 of responsibility and support of allied nation partnerships 02:27.760 --> 02:30.580 and regional security and stability goals. 02:30.580 --> 02:32.440 In December, seven soldiers 02:32.440 --> 02:35.840 with Detachment 2, 174th Cyber Protection Team 02:35.840 --> 02:38.150 deployed stateside to the U.S. Capitol region 02:38.150 --> 02:40.850 to assess local, state and federal agencies 02:40.850 --> 02:43.780 in protecting the nations critical cyber infrastructure 02:43.780 --> 02:46.030 and addressing emerging cyber threats. 02:46.030 --> 02:48.700 Since 9/11, the South Dakota National Guard 02:48.700 --> 02:51.830 has deployed more than 8,600 soldiers and airmen 02:51.830 --> 02:54.060 in support of various operations. 02:54.060 --> 02:55.570 The South Dakota National Guard 02:55.570 --> 02:58.210 continued to provide domestic operation support 02:58.210 --> 03:00.840 to the citizens of South Dakota and the nation 03:00.840 --> 03:03.830 throughout 2018 with several state active duty 03:03.830 --> 03:06.600 mission assignments involving two dozen personnel, 03:06.600 --> 03:08.820 totalling nearly 40 man days. 03:08.820 --> 03:12.040 The Air Guard continued support to Norad's airspace control 03:12.040 --> 03:15.060 alert mission at March Air Force Base in California 03:15.060 --> 03:18.330 providing four F-16 Fighting Falcons and pilots 03:18.330 --> 03:21.220 who are ready at a moments notice to protect the country 03:21.220 --> 03:24.130 for any type of emergency from security patrols 03:24.130 --> 03:25.740 to acts of terrorism. 03:25.740 --> 03:28.460 The Army Guard responded to two fires in the Black Hills 03:28.460 --> 03:31.400 in August, providing aerial water suppression assistance 03:31.400 --> 03:34.810 using Black Hawk crews and a ground support personnel. 03:34.810 --> 03:37.260 The South Dakota National Guard also welcomed 03:37.260 --> 03:39.730 a new Commander in Chief as Governor Kristi Noem 03:39.730 --> 03:42.010 was sworn in as the state's 33rd governor 03:42.010 --> 03:44.560 on January 5, 2019. 03:44.560 --> 03:47.440 Soldiers and airmen participated in the time honored 03:47.440 --> 03:49.660 tradition of supporting inauguration events 03:49.660 --> 03:51.755 by providing color guards, musical support 03:51.755 --> 03:54.280 and other ceremonial assistance. 03:54.280 --> 03:55.600 Govenor Noem's experience 03:55.600 --> 03:57.930 as a state legislature, member of Congress 03:57.930 --> 04:00.400 and past member of the House Arms Services Committee 04:00.400 --> 04:03.100 combined to make her exceptionally well qualified 04:03.100 --> 04:05.080 to take on this important role. 04:05.080 --> 04:07.360 This year also marked the 12th anniversary 04:07.360 --> 04:10.620 of the South Dakota and Surname State partnership program. 04:10.620 --> 04:13.650 There were 54 subject matter expert participants 04:13.650 --> 04:16.480 that took part in 12 significant exchanges 04:16.480 --> 04:19.480 which included women in the military, force management, 04:19.480 --> 04:22.240 sustainment operations, First Sargent and Commander 04:22.240 --> 04:24.600 professional development and an engineer mission 04:24.600 --> 04:27.073 to help renovate parts of a school in Paramaribo. 04:27.950 --> 04:29.830 The South Dakota National Guard hosted 04:29.830 --> 04:33.730 its 34th Golden Coyote exercise in the Black Hills. 04:33.730 --> 04:36.800 More than 2,100 service members from 30 units 04:36.800 --> 04:39.260 representing 9 states and 2 foreign nations 04:39.260 --> 04:41.280 participated in the exercise. 04:41.280 --> 04:43.500 The two week training exercise is considered 04:43.500 --> 04:45.960 one of the nation's top training opportunites 04:45.960 --> 04:49.330 for the National Guard, Reserve and Active Duty forces, 04:49.330 --> 04:52.280 as well as, military personnel from allied countries. 04:52.280 --> 04:54.490 This exercise continues to provide 04:54.490 --> 04:56.130 relevant training opportunities 04:56.130 --> 04:58.810 and support of overseas contingency operations 04:58.810 --> 05:00.250 and homeland defense. 05:00.250 --> 05:03.130 The South Dakota National Guard had another outstanding 05:03.130 --> 05:05.230 training year and received number of awards 05:05.230 --> 05:07.420 demonstrating their operational readiness. 05:07.420 --> 05:09.000 For the fourth year in a row, 05:09.000 --> 05:11.960 the South Dakota Air National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing 05:11.960 --> 05:15.030 was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Unit plaque 05:15.030 --> 05:17.590 which recognizes the five most outstanding 05:17.590 --> 05:20.360 Air National Guard flying units in the nation. 05:20.360 --> 05:24.100 This is the eighth time the 114th has received the honor. 05:24.100 --> 05:26.440 The 114th Fighter Wing was also announced 05:26.440 --> 05:28.931 as the recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 05:28.931 --> 05:31.710 for a fourth consecutive year. 05:31.710 --> 05:34.370 This is the 10th time the unit has received this award 05:34.370 --> 05:36.370 for exceptional meritory service 05:36.370 --> 05:39.250 by the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. 05:39.250 --> 05:43.210 The 114th also received the William W. Spruance Safety Award 05:43.210 --> 05:45.590 presented annually to the National Guard unit 05:45.590 --> 05:48.070 that makes the most significant contribution 05:48.070 --> 05:49.760 to accident prevention. 05:49.760 --> 05:52.880 And the Major General John Jay Pesce Flight Safety Award 05:52.880 --> 05:55.580 presented annually to two flying units judged 05:55.580 --> 05:58.460 to have demonstrated the highest standards of flight safety 05:58.460 --> 06:00.240 in the Air National Guard. 06:00.240 --> 06:04.479 30 Army Guard units received the National Guard's Bureau's 06:04.479 --> 06:05.890 Superior Unit Award in recognition 06:05.890 --> 06:07.540 of outstanding achievement. 06:07.540 --> 06:10.450 The Superior Unit Award is presented to units who meet 06:10.450 --> 06:13.180 highly enforced military standards in the areas 06:13.180 --> 06:15.790 of personnel, trainings and readiness. 06:15.790 --> 06:18.990 The South Dakota National Guard makes up only nine tenths 06:18.990 --> 06:21.378 of one percent of the nations National Guard 06:21.378 --> 06:25.430 but earned 97 percent of the Superior Unit Awards 06:25.430 --> 06:26.920 awards for the year. 06:26.920 --> 06:29.820 The 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion 06:29.820 --> 06:32.980 received the Major General Milton A. Reckord Trophy 06:32.980 --> 06:35.540 and the General Walter T. Kerwin Jr. Award 06:35.540 --> 06:38.470 as the most outstanding Army National Guard batallion 06:38.470 --> 06:40.680 in the nation for achieving the hightest standards 06:40.680 --> 06:42.550 in training and readiness. 06:42.550 --> 06:45.070 The 153rd Engineer Battalion received 06:45.070 --> 06:48.080 the Deployment Excellence that recognizes units 06:48.080 --> 06:50.200 for outstanding deployment accomplishments 06:50.200 --> 06:52.620 and captures innovated deployment initiatives 06:52.620 --> 06:55.650 that may improve the Army's deployment process. 06:55.650 --> 06:59.192 Bravo Battery 1st Battalion 147th Field Artillery 06:59.192 --> 07:01.980 received the General John J. Pershing Plaque 07:01.980 --> 07:03.860 for weapons marksmanship. 07:03.860 --> 07:05.890 The unit attained the highest figure of merit 07:05.890 --> 07:08.110 during annual weapons qualification firing 07:08.110 --> 07:10.310 with assigned individual weapons. 07:10.310 --> 07:13.890 The headquarters Battery Battalion 147 Field Artillery 07:13.890 --> 07:15.680 received the Certificate of Victory 07:15.680 --> 07:17.665 for having the highest overall figure of merit 07:17.665 --> 07:19.400 in the nation. 07:19.400 --> 07:21.100 For the second year in a row 07:21.100 --> 07:22.700 the South Dakota Army National Guard 07:22.700 --> 07:25.510 won the National Guard Bureau Excellence and Diversity Award 07:25.510 --> 07:27.710 in the unit and organization category 07:27.710 --> 07:29.470 for significant contributions 07:29.470 --> 07:31.970 to diversity and inclusion initiatives. 07:31.970 --> 07:35.030 The South Dakota Guard's Specialist Bailey Ruff 07:35.030 --> 07:38.510 was named the National 2018 Solider of the Year 07:38.510 --> 07:39.790 for the Army National Guard 07:39.790 --> 07:41.760 during its Best Warrior Competition. 07:41.760 --> 07:43.940 Ruff is the first soldier from South Dakota 07:43.940 --> 07:45.530 to win Solider of the Year honors 07:45.530 --> 07:47.460 at the Army National Guard level. 07:47.460 --> 07:49.574 He represented the entire National Guard 07:49.574 --> 07:52.840 in the department of the Army's Best Warrior Competition 07:52.840 --> 07:54.070 in October. 07:54.070 --> 07:55.683 For the fifth time in six years, 07:55.683 --> 07:57.740 the Department of Defense awarded 07:57.740 --> 07:59.580 a South Dakota Army National Guard unit 07:59.580 --> 08:01.620 with the Reserve Family Readiness Award 08:01.620 --> 08:03.340 for the Army National Guard. 08:03.340 --> 08:06.610 The award was presented to the 153rd Engineer Battalion 08:06.610 --> 08:08.220 and its Forward Support Company 08:08.220 --> 08:10.720 for demonstrating excellence in engaging with 08:10.720 --> 08:13.020 and supporting their members families. 08:13.020 --> 08:15.705 The South Dakota National Guard held numerous promotions, 08:15.705 --> 08:20.130 changes of command and changes of responsibility in 2018 08:20.130 --> 08:23.180 which included Brigadier General Russ Walls being named 08:23.180 --> 08:24.400 the Assistant Adjutant General 08:24.400 --> 08:26.410 for the South Dakota Air National Guard. 08:26.410 --> 08:27.830 Walls assumed the responsibility 08:27.830 --> 08:29.840 from Brigadier General Joel DeGroot, 08:29.840 --> 08:30.790 who is now serving 08:30.790 --> 08:33.510 as the South Dakota Air Guard's Chief of Staff. 08:33.510 --> 08:34.909 Brigadier General Tom Croymans 08:34.909 --> 08:37.040 was named the Assistant Adjutant General 08:37.040 --> 08:39.060 for the South Dakota Army National Guard. 08:39.060 --> 08:40.136 Croymans assumed responsibility 08:40.136 --> 08:42.760 from Brigadier General Kevin Grice 08:42.760 --> 08:45.480 who retired after 36 years of service. 08:45.480 --> 08:48.130 Marshall Michaels was promoted to Brigadier General 08:48.130 --> 08:50.410 and named the Director of the Joint Staff. 08:50.410 --> 08:53.053 Never in our history have we been better trained, 08:53.053 --> 08:55.557 better equipped or more heavily relied upon 08:55.557 --> 08:56.775 than we are today. 08:56.775 --> 09:00.150 The soldiers and airmen of the South Dakota National Guard 09:00.150 --> 09:02.700 are proud to add to its legacy and tradition 09:02.700 --> 09:04.501 as a force ready to support and defend 09:04.501 --> 09:07.393 our communities, state and nation.