The South Dakota National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) and seven Soldiers from the 109th Engineer Battalion partnered with the National Park Service to remove fallen trees and debris around Mount Rushmore National Memorial on April 11, 2024.
“It’s a project and partnership that has been in the works for some time and we were glad to be able to safely remove the downed trees, the alternative would be a burn, and it’s just a higher risk to the national memorial that we can avoid,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Anton Oerlline, sling load certifier.
The AASF provided support with the use of a HH-60M Blackhawk for the airlift mission that removed three loads of fallen trees and debris around Mt. Rushmore.
“I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude for the outstanding service and dedication that your team demonstrated in completing the recent haul mission. We are honored to have had the opportunity to work with your team,” said Mount Rushmore National Memorial Superintendent Michelle Wheatley.
The AASF utilized the use of a heli-basket to support the lift operation. The logistics of National Park Service employees hauling the downed trees and debris from the steep and rocky terrain was made void thanks to the SDNG’s training, equipment, and capabilities.
“Mt. Rushmore is a major monument in South Dakota and the United States so it’s a big deal that we maintain, respect it, and keep it clean and be good hosts of it,” said Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Dempsey, 109th combat engineer and project coordinator lead for the unit.
The SDNG remains a ready force of citizen-warriors and partnerships like these are vital to the community and provide valuable training opportunities for our Soldiers and Airmen.
The South Dakota National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) and 7 Soldiers from the 109th Engineer Battalion partnered with the National Park Service to remove fallen trees and debris from around the Mount Rushmore National Memorial on April 11, 2024. A heli-basket was used to support the lift operation in the steep and rocky terrain thanks to the SDNG’s training, equipment and capabilities.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell)
The South Dakota National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) and 7 Soldiers from the 109th Engineer Battalion partnered with the National Park Service to remove fallen trees and debris from around the Mount Rushmore National Memorial on April 11, 2024. A heli-basket was used to support the lift operation in the steep and rocky terrain thanks to the SDNG’s training, equipment and capabilities.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell)
Combat engineers with the South Dakota Army Nationals Guard’s 109th Engineer Battalion partnered with the National Park Service to remove fallen trees and debris from around the Mount Rushmore National Memorial on April 11, 2024. A heli-basket was used to support the lift operation in the steep and rocky terrain thanks to the SDNG’s training, equipment and capabilities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell)
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