Photo By Staff Sgt. Eric Jensen | Gov. John Hoeven speaks with family members of North Dakota Soldiers deployed with on...... read more read more
BISMARCK, N.D. — Gov. John Hoeven and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, announced that about 400 North Dakota Soldiers serving as part of KFOR 12 in Kosovo will be returning to the United States within the next week. The announcement was made this morning to over one hundred family, friends and fellow Guardsmen at the Guard’s Raymond J. Bohn armory. The Soldiers will first return to their mobilization stations at Camp Atterbury, Ind., and Fort Benning, Ga., where they will begin the demobilization process before returning home to North Dakota. The Soldiers are expected to arrive home in North Dakota within two weeks.
“It’s an honor to be able to announce the return of our Soldiers to their families and friends,” Hoeven said. “I saw first-hand how our Guard members proudly served the citizens of Kosovo by contributing to the security and stability in their communities. Soon we will welcome them home with the appreciation they’ve all earned through their service.”
In February, Hoeven and Sprynczynatyk visited Kosovo to get an update on the overall mission and its progression.
“Soldiers returning home from a successful mission is always a great cause for celebration,” said Sprynczynatyk. “As we prepare to celebrate their return, let’s remember all of the other North Dakota soldiers and airmen still serving in countries all across the world. Their ongoing efforts in defense of our nation will always be greatly appreciated.”
About 160 Soldiers of the 231st Maneuver Task Force (231st Brigade Support Battalion), Valley City, N.D., and the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade returned early to North Dakota last May. The entire group of soldiers was mobilized in last August.
Multinational Battle Group East is a U.S.-led unit, commanded by Brig. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard. This Battle Group is comprised of nearly 1,200 soldiers, including Task Force Hellas and Task Force POL/UKR (Polish/Ukraine) and Turkey. The charter mission of MNBG-E is maintaining a safe and secure environment and providing freedom of movement for the people in Kosovo.
About 35 North Dakota Soldiers will remain in Kosovo in order to effectively coordinate mission handover to the succeeding unit. The Puerto Rican National Guard will lead KFOR 13 and is scheduled to assume authority from the North Dakota National Guard on July 24.
“Let’s remember that one soldier won’t be returning with his teammates, Sgt. Terry L. Rishling,” Hoeven reminded the audience. “He and his family will always remain in our thoughts and prayers.”
Sgt. Terry L. Rishling, a North Dakota Army National Guard soldier from Fargo, N.D., died on Feb. 10, 2010, of apparent natural causes while deployed to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo.
KFOR 12 mission was the largest mobilization for the North Dakota National Guard since the Korean War. While many units have deployed simultaneously for separate Global War on Terrorism missions in recent years, the KFOR mobilization encompasses the largest single element to mobilize in more than five decades.
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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 3,500 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, about 800 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas. With a total force of about 4,400 Soldiers and Airmen, sufficient forces remain in the state for emergency response and homeland defense.
| Date Taken: | 07.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.09.2010 14:34 |
| Story ID: | 52615 |
| Location: | BISMARCK, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 264 |
| Downloads: | 217 |
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