FARGO, N.D. - The North Dakota Air National Guard will honor airmen who have served in a contingency operation, along with their families, during a Hometown Heroes event Sunday in Fargo. Weather permitting, the event will occur 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at Heritage Park, North Dakota Air National Guard. (In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors at the base.)

Gov. Jack Dalrymple and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, N.D. adjutant general, will be joined by Sen. John Hoeven, Congressman Rick Berg and civilian and military leaders in honoring about 250 Airmen who served on Title 10 orders for 30 days or more in support of a contingency mission. Family and friends are invited to attend.

The Airmen being honored this weekend served on active-duty orders between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010. They will be recognized in three groups:
Tier 1 awards will be given to those who served on orders for 30-179 consecutive days, Tier 2 awards will be given to those who served on orders for 180-365 consecutive days, and Tier 3 awards will be given to those who served on orders more than 365 consecutive days. Airmen's families also will be awarded, and each Guardsman being recognized will be given a Center of Influence medallion to present to the person of their choosing in recognition of that person's support during the mission.

Airmen who mobilized during the Global War on Terrorism prior to 2009 were honored during a Sept. 11, 2010, Hometown Heroes event - the first of its kind in North Dakota.

WHO: North Dakota Air National Guard Airmen
WHAT: Hometown Heroes Event
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9
WHERE: Heritage Park, North Dakota Air National Guard, 1400 32nd Ave. N., Fargo, N.D.
MEDIA: Penny Ripperger (701-212-8710) will escort media through base security at 1:45 p.m. Saturday.