Commander's Column. Col Marek reflects on the success of Wing Conference and the challenges ahead in the "Year of ES."
If you are registered but not paid for the Joint Dakota Encampment, please do so promptly. The wing needs your payment for expenses incurred before the encampment begins.
Updates
Horse Search. South Dakota Wing was part of the effort to find a Mustang horse that broke free from a wilderness camp in Wind Cave National Park on May 2. The search allowed wing members to refine their air-to-ground visual search from fixed-wing aircraft, photography drones, and ground team searching. (Read more)
Encampment Agreement. The wing commanders of North and South Dakota have signed an agreement governing the long-term operation of the Joint Dakota Encampment. Although the two states have cooperated to take turns hosting encampments since the 1990s, there has never been written documentation of the agreement. The new agreement does not change how the encampments operate but clearly states the expectations for host and partner wings in writing. (Read the agreement)
The Next SD Adjutant General will be South Dakota Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Mark Morrell, with a change of command in August when Maj. Gen Jeff Marlette retires. (Read more)
Congratulations Promotions are based on NHQ notifications; ceremonies may still be pending.
See Wing Conference story above for conference awards.
Seniors
UAS SQTR Training. Ten SDWG members have completed new or refresher SQTR class training for UAS mission pilot or technician. Completing the training were Tyler Gross (MP), Brad Lofland (Tech and MP), Aaron Giddings (Tech and MP), and Brad Hovland (Tech and MP). Also attending for refresher were Byron Aultmann, Justin Johnson, Tim Modde, Donny Weiand, Howard Steiner. and Jim Brown. Each position requires five additional sorties to complete the training.
Capt Brad Lofland earned the Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award
Deborah Springman was promoted to 2nd Lt (Big Sioux Composite Squadron)
Marc Schlecht completed Level 2, Part 1 (Rushmore Composite Squadron)
Jerry Dayton completed Level I (Rushmore Composite Squadron)
Cadets
Cadet 1st Lt Devin Griffin received Rushmore Composite Squadron's Lincoln Award on April 20, presented to the squadron cadet who has demonstrated the greatest dedication and leadership during the year.
Lillian Williams completed Achievement 6 with promotion to C/SMSgt (Lincoln County Composite Squadron)
Joshua Vermundson completed Achievement 6 with promotion to C/SMSgt (Pierre Composite Squadron)
Jonas Runge completed Achievement 6 with promotion to C/SMSgt (Lookout Mountain Composite Squadron)
Elijah Runge completed Achievement 6 with promotion to C/SMSgt (Lookout Mountain Composite Squadron)
Isaac Mayo completed Achievement 5 with promotion to C/MSgt (Lincoln County Composite Squadron)
Joanna Garland completed Achievement 5 with promotion to C/MSgt (Rushmore Composite Squadron)
Zechariah Garland completed Achievement 5 with promotion to C/MSgt (Rushmore Composite Squadron)
Fred Dennis completed Phase I of the CAP Cadet Program with promotion to C/SSgt (Lincoln County Composite Squadron)
Published by South Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol Col Michael Marek, Commander - Lt Col Craig Goodrich, Vice Commander 4275 Airport Rd, Suite A, Rapid City, SD 57703