Serving Community, Serving Country

UPDATED STORY 01.08.2020

The facility sits quietly near the center of Legion Park, a sentinel of sorts. It is rightly called a sentinel because when help is needed, its resources are called into action.

The Nebraska Army National Guard is known for responding when disaster strikes a community or region.

Representatives of the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard met at the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was part of a series of visits in Nebraska communities with National Guard units and detachments. Staff Sgt. Levi Loomis is the head of the Sidney operation and serves full-time as its Training Noncommissioned Officer (NCO).

“I've been the Training NCO since July,” Loomis said recently.

He has been with the unit for about four years and with the Nebraska Army National Guard (NEARNG) for about 15 years.

Sidney is home to Detachment 1 of the 1075th Transportation Company, which is

headquartered in North Platte.

“We drive M915s,” he said, which are similar to a truck-trailer. He said whatever needs moved, they can do it.

“If you can picture what a civilian truck driver can do, we do that,” he said.

In addition to being a transportation detachment, the Sidney Army National Guard also responds to emergencies. The NEARNG is also called upon for community emergencies, natural disasters and any incident needing their resources.

“This time of year, we just finished up preparing for winter response,” he said.

The Sidney detachment has cots if housing needs should surpass hotel capability and trucks capable of vehicle recovery. Staff Sgt. Loomis stressed that on normal operations the NEARNG does not compete with private enterprise. The exceptions are when urgent response is needed for public safety. An example is if streets need to be cleared of downed utility lines and trees following a storm, the National Guard might be contacted.

Staff Sgt. Loomis entered the Guard as many do, drawn by the option of paying for college. He worked for the railroad for 10 years before going full-time with the NEARNG. One of the talents Staff Sgt. Loomis has developed over time is shooting accuracy. He has competed in the “Chief's 50,” a contest among the National Guard for the best marksman. He has traveled to Tennessee, Wyoming and Arkansas to compete. The top eight shooters from each state compete for the Chief's 50. He has earned the title in rifle and missed by one point with the machine gun.

The Nebraska Army National Guard has more than 80 units and detachments throughout the state, from Nebraska City to Scottsbluff, Wayne to McCook. The NEARNG has is staffed with about5 3,500 NEARNG soldiers, most of who serve part-time one weekend per month.

The NEARNG recently partnered with the Rwanda Defence Force, becoming the newest partners in the Defense Department's State Partnership Program (SPP).

"The Nebraska National Guard is honored to have a new state partnership and build an even stronger relationship between the United States and Rwanda," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Daryl L. Bohac, Nebraska National Guard adjutant general.

In a story by Maj. Scott Ingalsbe of the Nebraska National Guard, Maj. Gen. Bohac said it is rare one nation can overcome all the challenges of today's complex and dangerous world. Collaboration and sharing of goals is needed.

“This partnership will enable us to do that, to indeed bring security and peace where we serve together,” he said in the article.