FARGO, N.D. - Eastern North Dakota will soon be able to benefit from the capabilities that accompany Army aviation assets. The North Dakota Army National Guard will announce the stationing of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Fargo as the start of a growing Army aviation presence on this side of the state. That presence also will include the UH-72 Lakota and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters stationed on a rotational basis between Fargo and Bismarck. Since 1958, Army National Guard aviation assets have flown solely from the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, N.D.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Congressman Rick Berg, Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, will address the changes at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Jet Center's south hangar, 1748 23rd Ave. N. in Fargo. Lt. Col. Jerry Anderson, state Army aviation officer for the North Dakota National Guard, will emcee the event.

Both a UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota will be on display during the event, and a short orientation ride will be provided for leadership and media on the Black Hawk following the ceremony.

With the new location in Fargo, the Guard will be better equipped to respond to natural disasters, search and rescue missions and related needs across the eastern portion of the state.

WHO: Speakers include Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Congressman Rick Berg, Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, as well as Lt. Col. Jerry Anderson, state Army aviation officer, serving as the emcee. Also expected to attend are Julie Fedorchak, Sen. John Hoeven's state director; and Shelly Klein with Sen. Kent Conrad's office.

WHAT: event announcing North Dakota Army National Guard aviation assets based in Fargo, N.D.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22

WHERE: Jet Center, south hangar, 1748 23rd Ave. N., Fargo, N.D.

MEDIA: No precoordination will be necessary to attend the press conference.

Any media interested in a 15-minute orientation ride in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter following the event will need to call Amy at 701-451-2273. One seat per media outlet will be allowed, with seats filled on a first come, first served basis.

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized nearly 3,900 soldiers and more than 1,800 airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. About 70 percent of all members serving today have joined since that time. Currently, nearly 200 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas while about 4,000 remain in the state for emergency response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that's more than four times the national average.