Golden Coyote exercise to increase traffic, military activities starting June 6

  • Published
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  People working and living near the base should be aware of the potential for increased traffic, especially at the intersection of West Gate Road and Highway 14-16, during the South Dakota National Guard's 31st Annual Golden Coyote training exercise from June 6 to 20.

Several hundred National Guard members from across the state will be operating out of Ellsworth during the exercise designed to provide military units with relevant training opportunities in support of overseas contingency operations and homeland defense.

When traveling from the base, motorists are encouraged to utilize Exit 67B and access Interstate 90 at that point.

Residents in Rapid City, Hill City and Custer should also be aware of an increase in military traffic throughout the region and in their communities. They can expect an increase in noise levels due to military training, according to a news release published by the South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office.

Additionally, aircraft will be operating throughout the area and will respond to real-world emergencies during the exercise, remaining in an all-hours-ready status. The public is asked to remain at a safe distance from all moving military vehicles and aircraft to prevent injury to personnel or damage to property.

According to SDNG Public Affairs, 35 military units representing 12 states will team up with military members from three foreign nations as well as Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors to create an invaluable training experience.

Created in 1984 by the South Dakota National Guard, with the cooperation of the National Forest Service and Custer State Park, this year's Golden Coyote training exercise will allow about 3,000 service members to conduct combat support and combat service support missions in a realistic training environment and provide valuable services to the public.

Local residents receive numerous benefits from the many engineer projects conducted during the exercise. Units transport timber to Native American communities that use it as firewood, conduct building construction, repair and upgrades, identify hazardous wilderness areas and make them safe for public use, and resurface local roadways that have fallen into disrepair.