Canadian forces participate in Golden Coyote

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hailey Staker
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- The 41 Canadian Brigade Group was one of four foreign nations that participated in the South Dakota National Guard’s 2016 Golden Coyote exercise June 11 through 23.

Aiding a smooth transition into the U.S., Ellsworth AFB and Airmen from the 28th Logistics Readiness and Operations Support Squadrons supported the arrival and departure of approximately 240 personnel from the 41 CBG, providing the runway for landing and take-off and in and out-processing through customs.

During their time here, Canadian personnel provided mission command for engineering units supporting Golden Coyote, and assisted National Guard units during timber hauls and bridge repairs.

“Task Force 41 engineers assisted the National Guard during timber hauls by de-limbing the logs for transport,” said Canada Capt. Brad Young, 41 CBG Headquarters public affairs officer. “The engineers also conducted bridge repairs at French Creek in Custer State Park by replacing the bridge deck and improving the pedestrian bridge in Custer.”

The engineers also renovated buildings on Camp Rapid and participated in “lanes training” at West Camp Rapid with base personnel and units participating in Golden Coyote. While there, units took part in specialty-specific training such as convoy escorts, dismounted battle movements and urban terrain operations.  

“These joint exercises allow allied nations to work together and see how other nations operate,” Young said. “It gives us an opportunity to work with our counterparts to see what procedures are similar and what other units do a little bit differently, and allows us to incorporate and build on those procedures to make ours better. Exercises also help raise the level of understanding between our nations.”