Volume 124, Number 41            Wednesday, November 14th, 2007

Sioux Manufacturing gets contract for armoring vehicles
Troops are receiving higher protection from ambushes during vehicle patrols, thanks in part to a company right here in Benson County.
Fort Totten-based Sioux Manufacturing Corporation (SMC) has received advanced notification of award from BAE Systems in York, Pa. to help produce armor for MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle sets. The MRAP is designed to survive blasts from IEDs (improvised explosive devices), the main killers of American service members in Iraq. MRAP vehicles have a V-shaped hull that deflects the blast, providing more effective protection for service members inside the vehicle. MRAPs are replacing armored Humvees.
The advanced authorization allows SMC to procure the materials necessary to start building components for the RG33. The RG33 is BAE Systems' latest in its series of mine protected wheeled vehicles that offer more volume under-armor than any other mine protected vehicle and incorporates the latest designs in protecting against IEDs. SMC will produce composite components that are installed onto the RG33.
The material manufactured by SMC is layered and coated with resin before being fabricated into various panels and liners that protect troops inside vehicles.
The MRAP program is the single largest armoring program in terms of dollars in the history of military procurement. The Department of Defense gives a priority rating to all prime contracts, subcontracts or purchase orders in support of an authorized program using the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS). The MRAP contract has been given a DX rating, which is assigned only to programs of the highest national defense priority.
"The MRAP is a huge program and takes a multitude of suppliers to get the military what it's asking for," says Carl McKay, SMC president and CEO. "We're honored to be a part of this process, and to supply a product within our core competencies." Because of the fast turnaround and DX rating, the MRAP order will take a top priority in SMC's manufacturing queue. "Our expansion plans will add the capacity we need for SMC to continue fulfilling additional requirements for these types of contracts," says McKay.
The MRAP order is not the only DX rated order that is currently in the works at SMC. SMC also manufactures ablative tile components for use by the US Navy. On cruisers and destroyers, missile launchers are stowed in protected, below-deck locations. Ablative materials line the inside of the launch canisters, protecting the ship during missile launches. SMC is the only qualified supplier of this particular type of ablative material for US Navy applications.
In addition, SMC has supplied spall liner protection for Bradley Fighting Vehicles since the 1980s. Spall liners line the inside of military vehicles to protect soldiers from metal fragments. Metal fragmentation is a threat in and of itself. When incoming projectiles hit a vehicle, metal from the vehicle splinters, shatters and pushes itself inside the vehicle. Spall liners absorb these metal fragments.
"Our business is to help protect those who defend our country," says McKay. "That's why we are so committed to creating products of the highest quality. We want to help bring them home safely."
For 30 years, Sioux Manufacturing Corporation has furnished protection equipment to millions of US armed forces members. It is a Native American-owned business operating out of a 250,000-sq. ft. facility located on the Spirit Lake Nation at Fort Totten. Sioux Manufacturing Corporation currently employs 200 people.
As the largest vertically integrated manufacturer of aramid armor per MIL-DTL-62474 in North America and with nearly 30 years experience in providing a variety of quality composite armor products to the Department of Defense, Sioux Manufacturing Corporation has the production and testing capabilities, experience and technical expertise to deliver competitively priced quality composite molded components manufactured to meet its customers' specifications.
Sioux Manufacturing Corporation is 100% owned by the Spirit Lake Nation. Sioux Manufacturing Corporation is a self-certified Small Disadvantaged Business and certified HUBZone Small Business Concern.
BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information and technology solutions and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 96,000 employees worldwide, had 2006 sales that exceeded $27 billion.

Sioux Manufacturing Corporation is located in Fort Totten in this 250,000 square foot facility and is wholly-owned by the Spirit Lake Nation.

The RG33 is replacing the Humvee and Sioux Manufacturing Corp. is producing the composite armor for its interior.

Dodds earns medals
The ND National Guard hosted a Freedom Salute for the Bismarck-based 1/129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) November 3. In an awards ceremony held prior to the event, Sgt. First Class David Dodds of Grand Forks was awarded several medals: the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and Overseas Service Ribbon.
Dodds is married to Jennifer Dodds and has two children. Upon returning from deployment, he has resumed his full-time duties as a reporter for the Grand Forks Herald. He is the son of Lyle and Darlene Dodds of Leeds. Dodds graduated from Dickinson High School in 1991 and UND in 1998. He enlisted in the military in 1989.
The 129th MPAD is comprised of 20 soldiers, 13 from the Bismarck Detachment and seven from the headquarters element in Rapid City, SD.
The unit was mobilized for active duty in April of 2006 and conducted operations in US Central Command's (CENTCOM) 27 areas of responsibility. MPAD soldiers were also located at CENTCOM's headquarters at MacDill Air Base, Tampa, Fla. and the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution (DVIDS) hub in Atlanta, Ga. and traveled extensively throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and many additional countries in US Central Command's area of responsibility. The unit returned in June 2007 after 15 months of deployment.

Sgt. First Class David Dodds, right, receives his awards from the unit's commander, Maj. Jocelyn Baker.

Young hunters bring home geese
While everyone else was out hunting deer, the Sears girls concentrated on the plentiful geese in the area. On Nov. 11 they bagged nine geese at the junction of ND 19 and ND 30. Left to right are Maria, 10, Katherine, 12 and Madyson, 6. Maria and Katherine are the daughters of Jerry and Marianne Sears of Harlow and Madyson is the daughter of David Sears of Minnewaukan and Ann Sears of Maddock.

Halloween Party
Residents of the Maddock Memorial Home had a Halloween party. Left to right, back row, are Leo Marquart, Mamie Johnson, Bennie Marquart, Veloy Vallier, Stella Benson and Orville Stadum. Front row: Margaret Jacobson, Lillian Moran, Hilda Kotaska, Ruth Nelson, Lorraine Hellerud, Ruth Sorenson, Ida Hofer, Victoria Skold and Doris Lysne.

Play in tourney
Fourth-sixth grade basketball teams from the Minnewaukan School participated in the Four Winds Basketball Jamboree on Saturday, Nov. 3. The 4th and 5th grade team received 5th place and the 5th and 6th grade team received 2nd place. The teams are coached by Mr. Jeff Walen and R.J Hansen. The 5th and 6th grade team is pictured. Left to right, back row: J.W. Azure, Jasten McKay and Calum Sherman. Middle row: Jon Yankton, Austin Erickson and Darion ThreeIrons. Front: Dallas Anderson.

The 4th and 5th grade team is pictured. Left to right, back row: Mr. Walen, Chazz Reeves, Jace McKay, Parker Mudgett, Darwin ThreeIrons and Jason Feather. Front row: J.J. Duty, Ambrosa Littlewind, Taylor Nestell, Todd Hernandez, Koltin ThreeIrons and Julian Cavanaugh.

House bites the dust
The building known as the Caine House in Minnewaukan was demolished by the Benson County Highway Dept. last week. Located a block north of the US Post Office, the building had been empty for many years. It was a rooming house at one time.

A backhoe tears at the back of the building as the dust accumulated over the decades flies through the air.

The big county payloader was able to lift the front of the building right off the ground.

In this photo the second story and first story were separated by the strength of the big machines, a payloader, a backhoe and a Caterpillar.

The front of the building is pushed down by the payloader.

By the end of the day nothing was left but rubble.

Oberon winners
Read, Read, Read winners for the month of October at the Oberon School are pictured. Left to right, back row: Nakia Hill (6th), Dolan Richotte (6th), Whisper Gourd (3rd), George Brown (6th), Chyenne DeMarce (6th), Cody Spider (4th), Emily Thumb (5th) and DaShone Cavanaugh. Hidden behind DaShone is Tiana Thumb (3rd). Middle row: Larissa Dunn (2nd), Shirley Driver (2nd), Donise Old Rock (2nd), Alexis Driver (1st), John Anchondo (3rd), Bryson Robertson (4th), Shawn Charboneau (3rd) and Bryeann Robertson (3rd). Front row: Anthony DeMarce (K), Riah Littleghost (K), Jade Old Rock (1st) and Destanee Black (1st). Not pictured is Felix Black (K).

Halloween writing contest winners in the 3rd through 7th grade at the Oberon School are, left to right, Lacey Brown (7th grade, 3rd place), Cody Spider (4th grade, 3rd place), Dolan Richotte (6th grade, 1st place), Emily Thumb (5th grade, 2nd place), Darica Deckert (3rd grade, 1st place) and Bryeann Robertson (3rd grade, 2nd place).

Take part in music festival
Jordan Callahan, left, and Beth Beecroft were chosen to participate in the Northwest Music Festival held at Minot State University. The students rehearsed November 2 and 3 and presented a concert Saturday evening.