RAPID CITY, S.D., - A team of 28 combat engineers from the German army has traveled more than 5,000 miles to participate in the 2010 South Dakota National Guard's Golden Coyote training exercise.
The unit from Munster, Germany constructed informational kiosks at two sites in the Black Hills National Forest. The kiosks, which were completed June 26, are located at the trail heads for each of the Victoria Lake Road and Ditch Creek campground sites.
"Our mission here is to build two kiosks, or information boards, for tourists to know where they are allowed to go and what fine places they can look for, said Lt. 1st Class Alexander Lange, " the officer-in-charge of the German combat engineer unit.
The German soldiers, who traveled to Golden Coyote in conjunction with the SDNG's Small Unit Exchange Program, teamed up with the 155th Engineering Company, Rapid City, to complete the kiosk projects for the U.S. Forest Service. In addition, the innovative readiness training (IRT) section at Camp Rapid assisted with the coordination of the engineer projects like these for the training exercise.
Lange said he is impressed with the hospitality that the 155th has provided his troops during the exchange.
"I think the relationship between the Germans and Americans here is very good," he said. "They are there for us and try to help us all the time. When we ask them for something they handle it. They are really motivated to support us and that is a good thing."
Capt. Kevin Huxford, commander of the 155th, said the exchange program, which will allow the 155th to make a visit to Germany later this year, provides value to both parties while they train in a foreign country.
"When they come over here, we get to involve them in our training," Huxford said. "It's a reciprocal program so when we go over to Germany, our soldiers are able to train with them, and see what their training styles are, and hopefully we are able to learn something from each other."
Two soldiers with the 155th, Spc. Cory Vogt and Spc. Michael Wollman, are overseeing the kiosk construction at Victoria Lake Road. Each has found value in their training with the group of German engineers.
Vogt, an electrician with the 155th, said watching the German soldiers work has showed him that there are different ways to accomplish tasks.
"There is no exact template to use in putting these kiosks together," he said. "The shortcuts the Germans use in finding measurements and angles are unique and different than the shortcuts we use. It shows us that there are other effective ways to do things."
Wollman, a carpenter with the 155th, said the work ethic of the German soldiers has really stood out.
"Their teamwork is amazing and they take perfectionism to a whole new level," he said. "The way they work together has put construction in a new perspective for me."
The German soldiers appreciate the perspective they have gained during Golden Coyote and the Small Unit Exchange Program, Lange said.
"We are all very impressed with the landscape, the country, the people who live here and it is great fun for us," he said. "We will take our improved construction skills with us back to Germany."
The German combat engineers are scheduled to make the return trip home June 26.