Soldiers from the South Dakota National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters and supporting units teach squad level combat maneuvers. The Military Operations in Urban Terrain, or MOUT lane, on West Camp Rapid provides service members the opportunity to learn basic and advanced fighting techniques.
“They would simulate our FOBs [forward operating bases] getting hit and we would have to use our trucks and pull security on the FOBs,” SGT Turner explained. “We got to practice communication with the radios and working as a team to make sure everything got done. It was great training.”
One of Golden Coyote’s engineering missions included a construction project at the Black Hills Playhouse, a nonprofit community theatre. Soldiers helped build a new deck, staircase and doorway for the theater – improving both the theatre and the National Guard’s relationship with the community.
“This is just an all-around great training environment for us to work in,” said SGT Jay Carroll of South Dakota’s 155th Engineer Company. “Not only as carpenters, but as Soldiers as well. It’s nice to work out here and form camaraderie between the public and the unit as we improve the building.”
Engineering units also assisted in building a road at Wind Cave National Park. By helping to expand and reinforce the road, the Soldiers helped provide the community with easier access to the park.
When developing the training activities for Golden Coyote, MAJ Weber ensured challenges were created throughout the exercise to emphasize the reality of obstacles faced in the real world.
“The engineer company might have to do worksite security because there might still be some bad guys that don’t want you working there on that road,” explained MAJ Weber. “We might send protesters out there or a farmer who says, ‘I want you to work on my road!’ Soldiers have to understand how to respond to that. How they share that information and react to the situations they are put in all tie into the scenario.”
