RAPID CITY, SD – The South Dakota National Guard formally welcomed home the Rapid City-based 109th Engineer Battalion during a ceremony Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Range Road Armory. The event honored approximately 50 Soldiers for their successful completion of a 13-month deployment to the U.S. southern border.
The 109th supported Joint Task Force–Southern Border, providing critical military capabilities to enhance the detection and deterrence of illegal crossings.
Lt. Col. Michael Roselles, the 109th Engineer Battalion commander, offered his Soldiers and their families a powerful perspective from the front lines, relaying a message from a U.S. Border Patrol agent who worked alongside them. “He told me, ‘Border security is national security, and the 109th has done an exceptional job of establishing it.’”
Roselles added, “I am incredibly proud of the vigilance and professionalism our Soldiers displayed. Their direct efforts disrupted hundreds of human smuggling events, safeguarded more than 500 unaccompanied minors, and led to the seizure of massive quantities of deadly narcotics like fentanyl and cocaine. This was about more than just statistics; it was about dismantling criminal networks and apprehending high-risk individuals to ensure our nation’s security.”
The deployment continued the 109th’s long and proud legacy of answering the nation’s call, a heritage that traces back to their service on the U.S.-Mexico border in 1916, symbolized by the cactus on their battalion crest.
Maj. Gen. Mark Morrell, the adjutant general of the South Dakota National Guard, highlighted the dedication and resilience of the Soldiers, saying, “Our South Dakota National Guard citizen-soldiers answered a difficult call under unique circumstances. They embodied a mission that demanded adaptability, professionalism, political sensitivity, and excellence in execution. That’s part of our culture of excellence in the South Dakota National Guard.”
Voicing the deep appreciation of the entire state, Gov. Larry Rhoden, commander-in-chief of the South Dakota National Guard, told the Soldiers, families, and supporters that their successful mission was a source of immense pride. He pointed to his own visit to the border as a moment of profound realization, saying, “When I visited you all last May, I was so impressed with the work you did. To see the magnitude of responsibility on that border and the area you were assigned to protect was incredible.”
The ceremony also recognized that mission success depended on the unwavering support of families, employers, and community leaders.
Joining Gov. Rhoden and Maj. Gen. Morrell in recognizing and honoring that success and support were U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, and Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun.
