Photo By Sgt. Joshua Dodds | Lance Cpl. Dylan Dean, 20, Mt. Airy, N.C., vehicle mechanic, Motor Transport Platoon,...... read more read more
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Command Sgt. Maj. Guy V. Boschee, the top enlisted Soldier of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of Fargo, N.D., toured northeast North Dakota on Tuesday on a morale and safety check on Soldiers and Airmen sustaining the flood fight.
Boschee, a native of Eureka, S.D., was joined by 1st Lt. Collin J. Kappenman, of Fargo, N.D., the executive officer of the 815th Engineer Company.
They first stopped in Drayton, N.D., and checked on Sgt. 1st Class Charles A. Olson, of 132nd Quartermaster Company, and his Soldiers walking the city's levee system, where river flooding has leveled off around 42 feet.
The Guard has been monitoring the dike system since, April 3, and will continue to do it until the Red River falls below major flood stage or until civil authorities no longer need support.
"It is better to be proactive, than reactive," Boschee said to the 132nd Soldiers.
Many have been on state active duty since March 20, and most were involuntarily mobilized, on March 27.
In Pembina, N.D., Boschee visited with Soldiers of the 134th Quartermaster Detachment, which continues to stand watch over the dikes alongside citizens.
They're also in charge of a city generator that sits ready in case of emergency.
Soldiers of the 815th Engineer Company, based in Edgeley, N.D., are there, too, as a quick reaction force poised to take action with heavy construction equipment to repair any dike leaks.
The 815th Soldiers also were given a task to set sandbags along a portion of southeastern Pembina near the Red River. The mission, however, was halted by Boschee due to safety concerns over the river's dangerously strong current.
"If we are unable to do our mission safely, we will not risk our Soldiers," Boschee said.
The Guard also has about 10 Soldiers and Airmen in Cavalier, N.D., on standby as a QRF, waiting for an emergency situation in northeast North Dakota. For now, area levees are holding and the Soldiers patiently stand ready.
"Boring is good; it means good news for the civilians," said Staff Sgt. Ross L. Seefeld, who is in charge of the QRF in Cavalier.
As the flood fight nears a month old, many Soldiers have sacrificed time away from their jobs or schools. Boschee and Kappenman took time to quiz Soldiers about any personal issues they might have.
"All-around the morale of the troops seems to be high. The attitudes have been exceptional," Boschee said.
Despite being away from home and living out of hotel rooms, the Soldiers and Airmen have been making good use of their time. A few have been able to do homework online during downtime, and all are finding their colleges and employers to be supportive of their necessary mission to help North Dakota communities.
"It's what you make of it," said Senior Airman Blake A. Royal, Grand Forks, a member of the 119th Wing in Fargo, about his time in the flood fight.
| Date Taken: | 04.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.15.2009 14:59 |
| Story ID: | 32431 |
| Location: | GRAND FORKS, US |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 225 |
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