News Release Archive

Reclamation, South Dakota Army National Guard Partner for Training Exercise at Belle Fourche Reservoir

Media Contact: Jay Leasure, (605) 394-9757 ext. 3011, jleasure@usbr.gov

For Release: March 28, 2017

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has announced the South Dakota Army National Guard (SDANG) is conducting a training exercise in the Fruitdale Area of Belle Fourche Reservoir on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, beginning at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Soldiers from the 189th Medivac Unit out of Rapid City, S.D., will perform a Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) training exercise. Training will include the ignition of a grenade simulator and smoke grenade to simulate an IED, causing simulated casualties. Soldiers will use blank ammunition to aid in the realism of the training exercise. A UH60 helicopter will be called in and land in the area to transport injured soldiers.

Public access to the area will be restricted during this time - soldiers and military vehicles will be at the entrance of the Fruitdale Area off of highway 212. The public is encouraged to observe the training exercise from a distance. The grenade simulator and smoke grenade will be contained in a burn barrel and not have contact with the ground. All blank ammunition will be retrieved and disposed of off-site.

Reclamation and the South Dakota Army National Guard have entered into an agreement permitting access to Reclamation lands at Belle Fourche Reservoir to conduct military training.

For more information please contact Jay Leasure at 605-394-9757, or jleasure@usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Dakotas Area Office Home Page