South Dakota deploys first all-female command team to Europe

Photo By Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell | U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Barbara Jensen, first sergeant, Capt. Julieanne Muckey, commander, and Capt. Amber Gustafson, executive officer, the command team of the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD), South Dakota Army National Guard (SDARNG), pose for a picture near the U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) Headquarters building at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany, Oct. 31, 2022. The SDARNG contributed to women’s history in the Army when it deployed its first all-female command team from the 129th MPAD to Stuttgart, Germany, in May 2022 to support SOCEUR public affairs for a nine-month rotation. The 129th MPAD 10-Soldier deployed team consists of eight women, three of which are on the command team and are South Dakota natives.  

GERMANY

03.10.2023

Story by 2nd Lt. Fiona Riley 

129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

STUTTGART, Germany – The Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps was established in 1942 and enabled women to serve in noncombat positions in the U.S. Army for the first time. Eighty years later, women can serve in all military occupations and at all levels of leadership. Recently, the South Dakota Army National Guard, 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) contributed to women’s history in the Army when it deployed its first all-female command team to Europe.

The 129th MPAD deployed a 10-Soldier team to Stuttgart, Germany, in May 2022 to support U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) public affairs for a nine-month rotation. The team consists of eight women, three of which are on the command team and South Dakota natives.

The 129th MPAD leadership team boasts more than 60 years of military experience and consists of commander, Capt. Julieanne Muckey, 1st Sgt. Barbara Jensen, and executive officer, Capt. Amber Gustafson. This is the first time in the state’s 160-year history that an all-female command team has deployed together.

“The best part of this deployment is facing new challenges and working with a joint network,” Gustafson said. “[along with] understanding the demands of supporting SOCEUR and the many different components and objectives.”

Since arriving, members of the 129th MPAD have traveled to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Spain, and Sweden to support SOCEUR missions, events, and exercises.

“The team here [at SOCEUR] has facilitated opportunities for our team to create relationships with special operations teams and support them by creating public affairs products that tell the command’s story,” Jensen said. “There are so many facets to providing public affairs support within this theater, and it has been a tremendous learning and training opportunity for us all. I’m excited to bring what we’ve learned back to South Dakota!”

The 129th MPAD is based out of Rapid City, South Dakota, and is made up of Public Affairs Mass Communication Specialists (Military Occupational Specialty 46S) and Public Affairs Officers (MOS 46A). Members of the unit provide public affairs, photography, videography, and journalism support to units across the state.

“The best part of working with this team is the passion and drive of our team and the unique talents everybody brings to the table,” said Gustafson.

“I’m so proud of our team,” said Jensen. “They have faced different challenges here with enthusiasm and professionalism, and South Dakota would be proud of what they have accomplished.”

The unit is expected to return from Europe in spring 2023.

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• Date Taken: 03.10.2023
• Date Posted: 03.10.2023 14:56
• Story ID: 440125
• Location: DE