SOUTH DAKOTA
‘Remember Why You Serve,’ Top Enlisted Guard Leader Says in South Dakota By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Pena, National Guard Bureau | July 19, 2024 RAPID CITY, S.D. - Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, toured facilities and met with Soldiers and Airmen of the South Dakota National Guard during their drill weekend July 14-15. Whitehead also conducted town halls at various units in South Dakota, giving hundreds of Guardsmen of all ranks the opportu- nity to engage with the highest-ranking enlisted member of the National Guard. The topics ranged from current issues facing the entire National Guard to state-level challenges and diversity within the Defense Department. One message remained constant from the top enlisted leader: “July is the Guard’s month of understanding and communicating why we serve,” Whitehead said. At a visit to the 196th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, Fort Meade, Whitehead spoke to a group of Army officer candidate selectees during their initial moments at the academy. “I can’t think of a more fitting place to be than in front of the newest future leaders of our Army National Guard,” he told the candidates. “Being an officer in our armed forces is a huge responsibility. … The life and death of our Guardsmen are in your hands,” said Whitehead. “I know that seems intense, but you must hear this today. You must know we [the enlisted force] appreciate every- thing you have done to make yourself available to be the leaders for the next generation of those fighting our fight.” South Dakota is divided by the Missouri River, with two-thirds of the units on the east side and one-third on the west. Whitehead visited units at Camp Rapid in Rapid City and the state’s Joint Force Headquarters and 114th Fighter Wing on Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls. While at the 114th FW, key leaders briefed Whitehead on the newly acquired standalone virtual reality systems dedicated to enhancing training capabilities in the maintenance career field. These systems are available to wings across the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia.
By Staff Sgt. Oscar Valdez 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment | OCT. 4, 2022 PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Twenty-three South Dakota National Guard citizen-warriors from the 730th Medical Company Area Support and 114th Medical Group traveled to Suriname Aug. 19 to 26 to provide medical and dental services to citizens of Para- maribo, La Vigilantia and Powakka during Operation “Gran Mati,” a phrase that means “good friend.” The mission was conducted as part of the State Partnership Program, which seeks to strengthen ties through engagement activities and share experiences and best practices through a variety of military subject matter expert exchanges. Suriname and South Dakota have strengthened their relationship through this program for more than 18 years. “The U.S. Embassy was very pleased to welcome members of the U.S. Armed Forces who traveled here to help us with this operation, to include medical providers, dentists and behav- ioral health specialists to participate in ‘Gran Mati’,” said U.S. Ambassador Robert Faucher. “This demonstrates the United States’ continued resolve to promoting the U.S. and Suriname partnership. Operation ‘Gran Mati’ is a testament to the enduring partnership between our two countries.” National Guard, Suriname partnership supports Operation ‘Gran Mati’ 2024
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