A Pierre-based South Dakota Army National Guard battalion has been recognized as the most outstanding Army National Guard battalion in the nation.
The 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion received the Gen. Walter T. Kerwin, Jr. Award recognizing the top performing Army National Guard and Army Reserve units in the country at the annual conference of the Association of the U.S. Army earlier this month (Oct. 3).
The Pierre-based 152nd CSSB demonstrated excellence in operational planning, execution of training and maintaining high readiness standards above all other Army National Guard units for training year 2017.
152nd battalion commander Lt. Col. Tim Schlotterback says the hard work and dedication of soldiers in this battalion resulted in four of the five down trace units receiving the Superior Unit Award. The 152nd CSSB is currently preparing for an upcoming deployment to the Middle East, where they will provide command and control of logistical missions in support of U.S. forces in the region.
The 152nd CSSB provides mission command and supervision for five units with about 520 Soldiers in seven communities throughout South Dakota. They assist assigned units in meeting training, administrative and logistical requirements to maintain the unit’s readiness in support of their state and federal missions.
Units under the 152nd CSSB’s command include: Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Pierre; the 730th Area Support Medical Company in Vermillion; the 740th Transportation Company in Milbank and its detachment in Aberdeen; the 1742nd Transportation Company in Sioux Falls and its detachment in Flandreau; and the 147th Army Band in Mitchell.
The Kerwin Award was first established in 1976 after the former U.S. Army vice chief of staff who served as the first commander of U.S. Army Forces Command. The command was responsible for ensuring the readiness and training of all Army units in the United States.
Kerwin was a strong advocate of the “One Army” or “Total Army” concept that recognized the important role of the National Guard and Army Reserve. The programs he initiated resulted in a significant improvement in the readiness of reserve components.
Photo: The South Dakota Army National Guard’s 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion receives the Gen. Walter T. Kerwin, Jr. Award in recognition as the most outstanding Army National Guard battalion in the nation in Washington, D.C., Oct. 3, 2018. The Pierre-based 152nd CSSB demonstrated excellence in operational planning, execution of training and maintaining high readiness standards above all other Army National Guard units for training year 2018. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Pete Morrison)
