Increased traffic, military activities expected for Golden Coyote exercise

  • Published
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  People working and living on or near the base should be prepared for increased military vehicle traffic, especially at the intersection of West Gate Road and Highway 14-16, during the South Dakota National Guard's 30th annual training exercise - Golden Coyote - June 7 to 21.

Several hundred National Guard soldiers 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.

Maj. Anthony Deiss, SDARNG state public affairs officer, said motorists should be aware of an increase in military traffic throughout the entire region, adding that Rapid City, Hill City and Custer and can also expect an increase in noise levels due to military training.

"Aircraft will be operating throughout the area and will respond to real-world emergencies during the exercise and remain in an all-hours-ready status," Deiss said. "We greatly appreciate the support we receive from the community, but ask that everyone remain at a safe distance from all moving military vehicles and aircraft to prevent injuries or property damage."

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 4,400 service members to conduct combat support and combat service support missions in a realistic training environment and provide valuable services to the public.

Deiss noted that 45 military units representing 15 states will team up with military members from four foreign nations as well as Airmen, soldiers and sailors to create an invaluable training experience.

"Participating units will conduct military operations, train on their equipment and employ tactics, as well as complete various humanitarian missions and engineer projects that help improve the forest and infrastructure of many local communities," Deiss said.

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.

Deiss said units are also able to participate in many warrior training tasks and battle drills such as combat patrols, urban combat operations, land navigation, first aid, casualty evacuation and convoy operations, skills needed for any future overseas deployment.

For more information about Golden Coyote, contact Deiss at (605) 737-6721, (605) 431-8753, or via e-mail at: ng.sd.sdarng.list.pao@mail.mil, or Sgt. 1st Class Don Matthews, SDARNG/PA NCO in charge, at (605) 381-8161, (605) 431-8521, or via e-mail at: donald.j.matthews10.mil@mail.mil.