Photo By David Lipp | The 119th Civil Engineer Squadron members board a military aircraft Dec. 6, at the...... read more read more
FARGO, N.D. — About 50 North Dakota National Guard airmen recently arrived in Southwest Asia for a six-month deployment. It’s an unusual mission for the Happy Hooligans, who typically deploy overseas individually or in very small groups.
“We do things a little differently in the Army versus the Air [Force], but in both instances whenever we’re sending off our airmen and our soldiers, this is our opportunity to thank you for what you do, wish you well in the coming months in terms of the mission, and most importantly, show our support for you, both the airmen and the family members, as members of the North Dakota National Guard,” Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, told the airmen and their families before they left.
Sprynczynatyk also shared a letter from Gov. Jack Dalrymple that read, in part, “It’s my honor to serve … as the commander-in-chief of the nation’s finest National Guard, an organization comprised of dedicated and professional patriots, such as the members of the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron. North Dakota has a rich history of military service, and a distinguished reputation for success in its support in the Global War on Terrorism. I’m confident that the members of the 119th will carry on that proud tradition of service and will successfully complete their mission.”
Col. Rick Gibney, 119th Wing commander, referred to the mission as “a very busy deployment at a very historic time in our nation’s history.”
“The tough job isn’t for us who go forward to the theater; the tough job is for the folks who stay back,” he added. “When we go overseas, the schedule is pretty routine, we get into a rhythm of things. The hard part is for the family members left back.”
The deployed Guardsmen serve in the 119th Wing’s Civil Engineer Squadron and are skilled in construction trades. Many have previously deployed, including Maj. Jon Wahlgren, the group’s commander.
Sprynczynatyk presented Wahlgren and Chief Master Sgt. Scott Terry with a North Dakota flag to fly during the mission.
“We should stay pretty busy maintaining not only hard buildings, but tentage,” said Terry, who is deployed with his nephew, Senior Airman Tony Rezac. “… There’s no doubt in my military mind that we’ll pull this off in a great fashion.”
Two sets of brothers and two sets of uncles and nephews are deployed together within the small group.
Tech. Sgt. Tracy Winterquist and his brother, Staff Sgt. Travis Winterquist, live on the same street in Argusville, N.D., with their wives and children. Both are third generation Happy Hooligans.
“Having a family member there is kind of nice, but it does actually make it a little bit harder because when I’m gone the person I would look to for snow removal, maybe help around my house, will be a couple doors down. … It’s good for me over there, but for being back here it makes it more difficult,” Tracy said.
Leaving so soon before the many would observe holidays poses an extra challenge for military families, some of whom celebrated early. Others are holding out for a summer celebration after their Airman’s return.
“Actually knowing that Steve is going over and there’s soldiers coming home to have Christmas with their families makes our Christmas a little more special,” said Bridget Schwartz, whose husband Master Sgt. Steve Schwartz is deployed for the second time.
A formal, public send-off did not take place, and the specific deployment location for this group cannot be released due to U.S. Air Forces Central policy guidance. As a result, news of deployments in the North Dakota National Guard need to be shared differently depending on whether it’s an Army National Guard or Air National Guard unit.
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2011 14:14 |
| Story ID: | 81496 |
| Location: | FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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