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    800 Guardsmen on Duty to Fight Flood in Eastern North Dakota

    FARGO, UNITED STATES

    03.24.2009

    Courtesy Story

    North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

    FARGO, N.D. — With the crest prediction coming faster and bigger, the North Dakota National Guard has stepped up efforts in the Red River Valley. About 800 Guardsmen should be on duty in the eastern part of the state by the end of today. The Soldiers and Airmen are based heavily in Fargo and Wahpeton, although contingents have been assisting other towns in need. Additional Soldiers are responding in the Bismarck-Mandan area other western North Dakota communities.

    "We have Soldiers and Airmen working around the clock to respond to communities' emergency requests," said Col. Jim Hrdlicka, of Bismarck, who is commanding the Joint Task Force - East in Fargo. "Despite predictions, we are very confident that North Dakota citizens and our communities, together with the Guard, Department of Emergency Services, Department of Transportation and U.S.
    Army Corps of Engineers can mitigate this threat to the best of our abilities."

    Joint Task Force - East comprises Soldiers for the North Dakota Army National Guard and Airmen from the North Dakota Air National Guard working together to coordinate and manage local floodfighting support.

    Since the first group in-processed in Fargo on Friday, March 20, Soldiers and Airmen have assisted in filling and hauling sandbags, transporting equipment such as pumps and a generator light set, using trained military police to provide traffic control points in risky areas in various communities, helped to construct a clay dike in Fargo and worked to set up and fill HESCO barriers for flood protection in north Fargo. Commonly used to protect troops from explosions in Iraq and Afghanistan, HESCO barriers are large (about 3-by-3 feet and 4 feet high) containers that offer protection when filled with sand. Guardsmen have been helping to haul sand for them from Sabin, Minn.

    "As we stabilize the site here in Fargo, we're prepared to move north to Grand Forks later this week," said Capt. Craig Hillig, operations officer for Joint Task Force - East. "We will still have personnel in Fargo, but we'll be moving north to follow the water."

    Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, said he wished to extend his thanks to the employers throughout North Dakota who continue to share the talent and skills of our citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in their employment with the North Dakota National Guard.

    "Fighting the flooding of 2009 will take a massive community effort. The North Dakota National Guard is one major component of this effort. By allowing employees who also are Guardsmen to serve in this response, employers are contributing to our communities," Sprynczynatyk said. "I understand that it can be difficult to go without even one employee in some organizations. I want employers to know that we recognize this and that we are grateful for their support. Employers play an incredibly valuable support role throughout our many missions, whether here fighting floods or abroad fighting terrorists, and we thank them sincerely for their continued support of our men and women in uniform."
    ——
    Since the terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 2,800 Soldiers and more than 1,600 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. More than 3,000 National Guardsmen remain in North Dakota and are available to provide support for state and national emergencies and homeland defense.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.24.2009
    Date Posted: 03.24.2009 15:50
    Story ID: 31556
    Location: FARGO, US

    Web Views: 838
    Downloads: 781

    PUBLIC DOMAIN