North Dakota Guard Mobilizes for Flood Duty

Photo By David Lipp | U.S. Air Force Col. Ron Solberg, the 119th Support Group Commander, right, addresses full-time North Dakota Air National Guard personnel March 15, as he initiates personnel mobilization plans for the regional flood fight beginning in the Red River Valley, Fargo, N.D. The North Dakota National Guard plan calls for 300-400 personnel to be voluntarily placed on state active duty orders within 24-hours. The plans provide for all of the same flood fighting missions that the N.D. National Guard provided in the historic flood fight in the spring of 2009. (DoD photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)  

FARGO, ND, UNITED STATES

03.15.2010

Courtesy Story

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs           

FARGO, N.D. - The North Dakota National Guard will mobilize soldiers and airmen to begin flood operations for seven of the state's southeastern counties today and tomorrow.

The Red River in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota is expected to crest about 20 feet above flood stage and three feet below last year's record crest by March 20.

The Guardsmen will serve in Steele, Traill, Barnes, Cass, Ransom, Sargent and Richland counties. Some 300 to 400 Guardsmen will be mobilized "with boots on the ground" by tomorrow, said Air Force Col. Ronald Solberg, the North Dakota National Guard's emergency operations commander for Region 4, which includes those counties.

Working in 12-hour shifts, the Guardsmen will conduct a variety of flood-related missions, including traffic control, logistical and supply support, sandbagging and creating rows of barriers.

"Airmen and soldiers will begin traffic control points in Lisbon and Fargo today," Solberg said.

• Date Taken: 03.15.2010
• Date Posted: 03.15.2010 14:17
• Story ID: 46695
• Location: FARGO, ND, US