South Dakota Guardsmen prep for deployment

[unhappycamper]

South Dakota Guardsmen prep for deployment
By Peter Harriman - Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Posted : Monday Feb 11, 2008 18:11:16 EST

On a day that was surely the antithesis of their anticipated return to Sioux Falls late last summer, 31 airmen with the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Security Forces Squadron readied for deployment on Saturday.

The airmen and hundreds of family members and well-wishers leaned into a biting February wind as they crossed a parking lot to reach a unit activation ceremony highlighted by speeches by Sen. John Thune, Gov. Mike Rounds, Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson and South Dakota National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Steve Doohen.

The squadron, which has been training at Fort Lewis, Wash., will join Guard units from five other states later this month to provide base security and law enforcement at Manas Air Base in northern Kyrgystan.

The speakers touched on themes regularly explored at activation ceremonies — the sacrifice of the soldiers and their families, the assurance they will perform admirably, the support of the community, and their hope for a safe return.

The event culminated when the 31 squadron members, in tan and brown camouflage uniforms, stood when their names were called and separated from friends and family to assemble as a unit at the front of the room.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/gns_sdairguard_activated_080211w/