RAPID CITY, S.D. — The South Dakota National Guard’s 82nd Civil Support Team welcomed their new commander throughout a change of ceremony at Ellsworth Air Force Base on May 3.
Lt. Col. Allen Godsell acquired command of the unit from Lt. Col. David Sheets, who commanded it since September 2020.
Sheets thanked the unit for his or her dedication to turning into the most effective.
“Each of you selected to interact, equip and empower me and each member of this crew for a single goal; to make sure we’re the most effective and most ready Civil Support Team within the nation, and we’re,” Sheets stated.
Godsell spoke of his pleasure about becoming a member of of the unit, saying, “I do know this crew is prepared and I’m prepared to hitch it. It’s the place I need to be and it’s what I need to be doing.”
Godsell’s navy profession started in September 1991 when he enlisted within the U.S. Army as an electronics communications specialist.
In October 1998, he joined the South Dakota National Guard and retrained as an intelligence analyst for the 109th Engineer Battalion, and he additionally enrolled at Black Hills State University majoring in social science with a minor in navy science. He graduated in May of 2001 receiving his officer’s fee as an engineer officer from ROTC.
Godsell joined the 842nd Engineer Company in Iraq as a platoon chief from 2003 to 2004, and deployed as their commander to Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012.
Upon returning to the South Dakota, Godsell transferred to the 196th RTI and took command of the Headquarters Detachment from 2012 to 2014. He then served in numerous administrative officer positions till being chosen to because the SDNG adjutant common’s government officer in 2020.