South Dakota Guard deploying to help at US southern border

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Dozens of National Guard members from South Dakota will answer a call from the Pentagon to help at the country’s southern border.

One-hundred-twenty-five members of the 1742nd Transportation Company will be deployed for 9 to 12 months.

Gov. Kristi Noem, Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds, and Rep. Dusty Johnson were on hand for an activation ceremony Sunday at the University of Sioux Falls.

Thune says the soldiers will try to reinforce the border and establish some order and stability in a humanitarian way.

In July, Noem sent 50 South Dakota soldiers to the border following Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s request for help.