<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2pOqVk_0wEEKeAH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2pOqVk_0wEEKeAH00" width="1400" height="1100" ></figure>{KXLG – South Dakota} On October 16, approximately 50 South Dakota Army National Guard's 109th Engineer Battalion soldiers were mobilized to southern California. The deployment is part of a year-long Title 10 federal mission in support of Southwest Border operations and 'Operation International Drug Trafficking.'<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0JkwfU_0wEEKeAH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0JkwfU_0wEEKeAH00" width="1729" height="1199" ></figure>"You're going to go down, and you're going to do a great job. This is a challenging mission, but you are doing this to protect the homeland and to protect each other," said Brig. Gen. David Dailey, SDNG Assistant Adjutant General- Army, as he addressed the departing soldiers.The 109th Engineer Battalion, an engineer headquarters unit, will provide subordinate units' command and control, logistics, finance, and personnel support functions. They will be aiding Customs and Border Patrol agents and directly supporting two subordinate companies from Texas and Michigan.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2Oobug_0wEEKeAH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Oobug_0wEEKeAH00" width="1175" height="1763" ></figure>"If you go back to the lineage of the 109th Battalion, this isn't the first trip to the Mexican Border. In 1916, the 109th was put on federal activation to the border, so here we are 108 years later, going back to do our job and serve our nation," noted Lt. Col. Roselles, 109th Commander.Upon arrival, the 109th will undergo a local area orientation and train processes and procedures with the unit they are replacing before fully assuming their mission. The 109th was one of the first South Dakota National Guard units deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2003."There has never been a South Dakota unit that has failed in their mission. We expect great things out of you, and I wish you the best of luck!" said Brig. Gen. Dailey expressed confidence in the unit's capability and dedication.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0IfU0N_0wEEKeAH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0IfU0N_0wEEKeAH00" width="1175" height="1763" ></figure>The South Dakota Army National Guard continues a heritage of excellence and commitment to their communities while providing ready forces to perform their missions and deter aggression. This latest deployment reflects the enduring spirit and dedication of the Guard to serve the nation. </div></body>

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SD Army National Guard Deploys Soldiers to Southern California for Border Operations

{KXLG – South Dakota} On October 16, approximately 50 South Dakota Army National Guard's 109th Engineer Battalion soldiers were mobilized to southern California. The deployment is part of a year-long Title 10 federal mission in support of Southwest Border operations and 'Operation International Drug Trafficking.'. \"You're going to go...

{KXLG – South Dakota} On October 16, approximately 50 South Dakota Army National Guard's 109th Engineer Battalion soldiers were mobilized to southern California. The deployment is part of a year-long Title 10 federal mission in support of Southwest Border operations and 'Operation International Drug Trafficking.'. "You're going to go...