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    Demand for Guard Lessens as Flood Waters Recede

    Demand for Guard Lessens as Flood Waters Recede

    Photo By David Lipp | Staff Sgt. Elise Peterson, of the 119th Maintenance Squadron, monitors an earthen food...... read more read more

    BISMARCK, ND, UNITED STATES

    03.24.2010

    Story by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp 

    North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

    By Pvt. Jessica Raasch

    BISMARCK, N.D. — With 'Day 10' of flood operations for the North Dakota National Guard bringing many missions to an end, this year's flood flight proved to be a major contrast with 2009. Flood operations in 2009 resulted in Guardsmen being on duty for nearly 100 days all across North Dakota, whereas many members stayed activated for only a few days in 2010 with the efforts focused on the Red River and southeastern part of the state. Extreme preparedness and training combined with weather ideal for a moderate melt made for an easier fight in 2010.

    "Our men and women in uniform help to make sure that whatever needs to get done gets done," said Gov. John Hoeven. "Although we remain vigilant, we would like to extend our thanks to them, their families and their employers, as well as to all of the men and women in communities around North Dakota who have fought and who continue to fight flooding in our state."

    About 120 Soldiers and Airmen in Fargo were dismissed from State Active Duty today, bringing the number of Guardsmen still serving on flood support to approximately 260. That's down from a high of 750 on duty this past week. The number of North Dakota Guardsmen on flood duty is expected to drop under 100 by this weekend.

    The damages caused by the 2009 floods led the North Dakota National Guard to begin preparing for the 2010 flood operations months in advance. Local areas were listed as being under flood emergency status in mid-February and the Guard began actively preparing for potential flood operations. Hoeven called up Soldiers and Airmen for State Active Duty March 15, officially marking the beginning of the 2010 flood fight for the North Dakota National Guard.

    "We're working side-by-side with community volunteers and leaders ensuring that there's enough effort to protect lives and property in the city of Fargo and throughout North Dakota," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general.

    The North Dakota National Guard has been fully engaged in Fargo, Kindred, Harwood, Wahpeton, LaMoure, Lisbon and Jamestown. Throughout those locations, Guardsmen helped by patrolling dikes, performing emergency sandbagging operations, manning traffic control points, distributing and placing sandbags, facilitating dike construction and working as 'quick response force' teams to respond to emergencies.

    Bulldozers, front-end loaders, dump trucks, helicopters, generators and pumps have been used by the National Guard during this mission.

    Quick response force teams jumped to serve in several situations, including a response to a break in a levee that threatened a man's house near Kindred where Guardsmen shored up a dike and helped rescue the man's livestock. Just one evacuation mission was performed this year, for an elderly lady near Harwood. Quick response force teams remain on duty in both Hickson and Harwood to respond to any future flooding threats.

    Ideal weather conditions have resulted in moderate melting and minimal flooding, though the Guard trained and prepared for every scenario. The flooding has been controlled in most areas and many Soldiers and Airmen have been taken off of duty.

    The flood fight may be winding down in locations, such as Fargo and Jamestown, but monitoring state rivers is still a priority for the National Guard. The Guard will continue to keep an eye on the lower Red River, Sheyenne, Cannonball, Heart, and Knife rivers as well as Beaver Creek and Apple Creek to ensure overland flooding does not get too severe and any ice remaining in the rivers does not cause jams.

    "The bottom line is whenever we're called upon, the Guard will be ready, the Guard will be there," Sprynczynatyk said.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.24.2010
    Date Posted: 03.24.2010 21:07
    Story ID: 47168
    Location: BISMARCK, ND, US

    Web Views: 176
    Downloads: 164

    PUBLIC DOMAIN