Courtesy Photo | Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard,...... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas — Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th ADA) have finished their pre-mobilization training and are prepared to take the next step in assuming their war-time missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Job, senior enlisted leader for the N.D. National Guard, traveled to Texas Dec. 30 to salute the Soldiers in an informal farewell ceremony. The Soldiers will depart the U.S. within a week and will serve up to a year on active duty.
"Proficient in your skills, ready to serve with distinction, you have prepared yourselves well for your important missions," Sprynczynatyk told the Soldiers. "Your ability to operate state of the art surveillance equipment will help protect your fellow Soldiers from harm. When you complete your missions, we will be there with your Families, waiting for your safe return."
The 1-188th ADA, headquartered in Grand Forks, has in units in Fargo and Bismarck, N.D. was mobilized earlier this month and participated in pre-mobilization training at Fort Hood.
"These N.D. Soldiers are the best prepared and best led troops to pass through Fort Hood that I have seen," said Col. John T. Smith, commander of the 120th Infantry Brigade (Training Support). His unit is responsible for the additional training reserve component units receive prior to deployment to combat zones.
During the visit, the adjutant general promoted three Soldiers and presented
13 other Soldiers with coins in recognition of their outstanding performance during this training period.
The Soldiers are organized into three groups with three distinct missions, two in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. The largest group of about 40 Soldiers form the fourth 1-188th ADA 'RAID-IV', or Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment mobilized in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and are headed to Afghanistan to replace another group of 1-188th ADA Soldiers. The mission currently in Afghanistan is designated RAID-III and is expected to return home in January 2010. RAID refers to a tower system that incorporates sensor technology to protect forward operating bases.
RAID-IV will be accompanied by 25 Soldiers operating the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar. Both of the groups designated to serve in Afghanistan will be commanded by Capt. Walyn S. Vannurden, of Cavalier, N.D.
Another eight Soldiers comprise another Sentinel Radar mission and are headed to Iraq under the leadership of Sgt. 1st Class Michael Kraft, of Devils Lake, N.D. This is the first time N.D. Guard Soldiers will use the Sentinel Radar in a combat zone. The Sentinel can alert short-range air-defense weapons of hostile targets.
About half of the Soldiers deploying have previously served overseas.
| Date Taken: | 12.31.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2009 21:42 |
| Story ID: | 43360 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 358 |
| Downloads: | 282 |
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