{"id":17979,"date":"2021-05-13T19:38:38","date_gmt":"2021-05-14T00:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/south-dakota-national-guard-engineers-complete-construction-project-at-bear-butte\/"},"modified":"2021-05-13T19:38:38","modified_gmt":"2021-05-14T00:38:38","slug":"south-dakota-national-guard-engineers-complete-construction-project-at-bear-butte","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/south-dakota-national-guard-engineers-complete-construction-project-at-bear-butte\/","title":{"rendered":"South Dakota National Guard engineers complete construction project at Bear Butte"},"content":{"rendered":"
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RAPID CITY \u2013 Soldiers with the South Dakota National Guard\u2019s 842nd Engineer Company refurbished the observation deck near the summit of Bear Butte as part of an Innovative Readiness Training project, April 24 to May 2. <\/span><\/p>\n

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and Bear Butte State Park officials partnered with the SDNG to replace the weathered platform decking and stairs with new treated wood. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe need to repair, replace or upgrade aging infrastructure is always a major need in any state park,\u201d said Jim Jandreau, BBSP park manager. \u201cMost projects can be handled by the district that a park is located in. However, our observation deck is in a very inaccessible location when it comes to stocking material to do such a project.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The SDNG participated in the project through is IRT program, which partners with organizations on projects that provide a benefit to communities while providing hands-on, readiness training for soldiers. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProject size, location and man power, where the three deciding factors (for the project),\u201d said Jandreau. After observing the Michaelson Trail Bridge projects for quite a while now, it was very apparent that the National Guard could meet all these needs.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese types of projects facilitate goodwill and service to our local communities and state parks,\u201d said Capt. Nate Livermont, 842nd commander. \u201cThis is also an excellent opportunity to showcase our technical skills.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Bear Butte was established as a state park in 1961 and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Also known as Mato Paha or \u201cBear Mountain,\u201d the geological laccolith formation is an important landmark and religious site for the Lakota and other Native American tribes. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s awesome to work up here and make a better place for the visitors and Native Americans to this site,\u201d said Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Hartle, 842nd platoon leader. \u201cIt\u2019s great to actually do projects that we know support the community \u2013 it makes the project more meaningful.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

About 15 soldiers from the unit\u2019s vertical construction platoon worked on the project as part of their two-week annual training. They replaced the deck boards on the foundation of the 30-by-16 foot structure, as well as installed new railings and about 40 feet of stairs leading up to the platform. <\/span><\/p>\n

One of the unique challenges of the project is Bear Butte\u2019s elevation and rugged, steep terrain. The trail has a vertical climb of nearly 1,000 feet from the base to the summit and is 1.85 miles long. In order to deliver the lumber, equipment, and supplies safely and efficiently, the SDNG\u2019s Company C, 1-189th Aviation Regiment provided assistance with a HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to sling load in the heavy materials. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis project was unique in that it encompasses a tactical application with the nuances of the dismounted movement up Bear Butte, along with the coordination of sling load operations with the 1-189th Aviation,\u201d said Livermont. \u201cIt\u2019s an experience that will resonate with our soldiers for years.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an awesome opportunity to work with the aviators,\u201d said Hartle. \u201cThey saved us a lot of work for sure, and it\u2019s good to work with other units and see how they do things.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to providing skills training for the unit\u2019s carpenters and other job specialties, the project also helped the soldiers work through problem solving and project management. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe constraints that we have with tools and equipment, it helps the soldiers get better at managing projects, as far as what we need to do a project, timelines \u2013 we only have a limited amount of time to complete the project \u2013 it really helps them grow in their skills,\u201d said Hartle. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe sheer planning, coordination and risk mitigation that the Bear Butte projected entailed afforded our project NCOs to exercise their leadership skills on another level,\u201d added Livermont. <\/span><\/p>\n

Both Livermont and Jandreau credit the partnership on making the project a success. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith facilitation from Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Shay (IRT manager), our partnership with GFP has been seamless,\u201d said Livermont. \u201cSeveral factors contributed to the success of this mission; we were blessed with beautiful weather, thoroughly engaged partners from GFP, and consummate professionals from the 1-189th Aviation.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe experience has been all positive, who isn\u2019t impressed by a helicopter to do the heavy lifting and all the guys from the 842nd power walking their way up the mountain for 10 days and putting it all on the line to achieve a quality outcome,\u201d said Jandreau. \u201cIt was a pleasure and thank all of them very much.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The post South Dakota National Guard engineers complete construction project at Bear Butte<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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RAPID CITY \u2013 Soldiers with the South Dakota National Guard\u2019s 842nd Engineer Company refurbished the observation deck near the summit of Bear Butte as part of an Innovative Readiness Training project, April 24 to May 2. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and Bear Butte State Park officials partnered with <\/p>\n

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