#TBT SDNG responds to Hurricane Katrina recovery On Oct. 2, 2005, the South Dakota National Guard’s Task Force Coyote arrived in Louisiana in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. “213 Soldiers and Airmen from the SDNG arrived at the Naval Air Station Belle Chasse, south of New Orleans,” said Sgt. Lisa Bambas at the time. “The troops set up living quarters in a tent compound where they were housed. I now have a greater appreciation for what I have back home.” Showers and a dining facility were provided and the base provided mail service, laundry, a fitness center, a recreation center, internet and phone stations, and chapel services. Supplies, equipment and trucks were located on an open airstrip where members provided maintenance support for the task force. South Dakota was directed by National Guard Bureau, through the governor, to assist in the flood recovery. Gen. Mike Gorman, the adjutant general of South Dakota, named the 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery’s Lt. Col. Marshall Michels to head up the newly formed Task Force. Task Force Coyote was actually the third element from South Dakota to support the relief effort. Reid Christopherson from the South Dakota Air Guard public affairs and the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, commanded by Maj. Joe Jacobson, had already completed their missions and returned home in September. Mission tasking was very specific. Col. Scott Jackson, the director of operations, selected 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery as the command and control element, which was required to provide support personnel. The 727th Transportation Company arrived with one platoon of trucks. The 665th provided one maintenance platoon with personnel and equipment. Company B, 109th Medical Battalion also arrived with one medical platoon with personnel and equipment. The 153rd Engineer Battalion provided engineer equipment such as skid loaders and equipment operators. Additional medical personnel were supplied by the 114th Fighter Wing. For the next 30 days TF Coyote completed several missions. South Dakota Soldiers and Airmen hauled garbage by truck, provided sick call for civilians and military, filled 3,000 pound sand bags for levee breaches, cleaned local schools and churches, provided law enforcement for the local naval exchange and several other tasks. Medical missions: Set up and operated X-Ray and laboratory for the local population at Meadow Crest. They completed immunizations at the Kenner Clinic. Set up and manned the medical aid station at Grand Island and provided direct medical support to Task Force Pelican East. Transportation missions: Transported school equipment in Boothville-Venice, Belle Chasse, Buras and Port Sulphur. They cleaned mud and debris from building Port Sulphur and Venice. Operated front end loaders and skid loaders removing mud and debris throughout the area. Maintenance missions: Operated fueling station at the Belle Chasse motor pool. They provided maintenance support teams to Houma and Pard Park. After TF Coyote returned the South Dakota, Oct. 30, 2005, Michels said, “I have never been more proud to be a member of the South Dakota National Guard than I am now. I have had the great fortune to lead this group of dedicated professionals supporting the hurricane relief effort. This team of professionals quickly came together to accomplish any task. The staff always anticipated every option, situation, or issue in a professional manner. The leaders accomplished every task professionally and safely. The Soldiers and Airmen performed their duty in a truly outstand manner, always with a positive attitude. I can say this is the easiest command I have had, all I had to do is give the guidance and get out of the way and watch it happen. We are truly blessed with a superb group of Soldiers and Airmen in the South Dakota National Guard.”
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 19:11:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015