“When I enlisted in 2007, I actually started out in the Reserves,” he said. “When I went back to college at SDSU, the professor of military science, Lt. Col. Kory Knight, mentored me and set me up with an interview with the South Dakota National Guard and field artillery.” LaMaack has remained in the Rushmore State because of the personnel and organization. He emphasized that he likes what he sees in South Dakota. “You know, there have been a few different times when I thought about transferring to the Minnesota (National) Guard. The main reason I haven’t is because I like the people I work with over here (in South Dakota) so much,” he said. “That’s what really ends up making the unit. It’s not me, per se, it’s everyone else. We’re a unit, a group, and so it’s a brotherhood and a sisterhood. That camaraderie between the soldiers — you just don’t find anything else like it.” Perilous Times LaMaack’s command, and the work of Bravo Battery, reflects the changing dynamics of tensions around the world. The United States and its allies are facing two different enemies. The nation went from the Cold War to the new threats of post-9/11. The Global War On Terror (GWOT) remains a threat in all its forms, from a lone wolf to terror cells to rogue states. However, threats have risen from Russia and other nations around the globe. The United States is dealing not only with counter-insurgency but also the capabilities for NBC — nuclear, biological and chemical threats. At the time of his October 2017 installation, LaMaack spoke of the possibility that Bravo Battery would be called up for a mission. “We have no deployment coming up, but we need to be available in a year,” LaMaack said at the time. “By October 2018, if they need an MLRS battalion, we’ll be available. We’re ramping up our training in a changing world.” The stepped-up training and timeline is part of the overall national defense changes that all units face, LaMaack explained. “We’ve been fighting the (terrorist) insurgency for 16 years,” he said. “We’re also working with peer-to-peer situations, such as Russia and China, and near-peer nations, such as North Korea.” LaMaack takes command of a unit that consistently distinguishes itself. On multiple occasions, Bravo Battery has received the Superior Unit Award as one of the top National Guard outfits in the United States. Only an elite group earns the Superior Unit Award in any given year. Bravo Battery won its third consecutive Superior Unit Award in 2017. Of the 42 SDNG units, 23 won the Superior Unit Award. South Dakota received the award far out of proportion to its 0.9 percent of approximately 343,000 National Guard troops in the U.S. Of the 2,500 Guard units in the United States, 35 won the Superior Unit award — with 23 of them from South Dakota. The SDNG represents less than 1 percent of the Guard troop numbers but won 66 percent of the Superior Unit Awards. LaMaack said he firmly believes in his soldiers as they take their training and accomplishments to the next level. “The troops of Bravo Battery understand the mission, and we have no fear (on whether) we can accomplish it,” he said. An Important Mission With its current mission, Bravo Battery is making its first real field artillery mobilization since 2003, LaMaack said. The previous overseas missions involved security, supplies and the training of allied troops and police forces. “What the battery will be doing is taking part in these large multi-national exercises, to be able to work with our active-duty counterparts,” he said. “It also provides them something they have been missing in the theater, which is the long range rocket artillery. We’re providing them with that capability, and they provide us the opportunity to train and to become extremely proficient with our equipment.” Bravo Battery will remain under U.S. command during the mission while playing a key role in an international operation, LaMaack said. “This will be working with basically every major country in Europe. We’ll also be working with some Canadian artillery units,” he said. “This is truly a multi-national exercise and will be a big deal for us. It’s also means a lot to the people over in Europe, for them to see that kind of support from us.” vLAMAACK continued on page 9 Start t he Year wit h a New New Roof! If you had hail in your area in the last year or two, or your roof is weathered YOU NEED to have it inspected. “We’ve Got You Covered” 1600 Whiting Dr., Yankton, SD (605)857-1472 • Insurance Preferred Contractor • Family Owned – Locally Operated • Licensed / Bonded / Insured HISVOICEvJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019v5