Submitted Photo Spc. Hunter Churchill, 191st Military Police Company, left, and Spc. Michael Sumrall, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, organize data from 119th Wing unit members who participated in COVID-19 testing on July 10 at the Air National Guard Base in Fargo. Photo by U.S. Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp.

The North Dakota National Guard has reached a new milestone in its domestic support operations when COVID-19 support exceeded the efforts of its 2011 state-wide flood support mission.

On Nov. 19 the N.D. National Guard assessed 67,495 personnel days surpassing the record 67,264 personnel days worked in response to 2011 flood. The COVID-19 support mission is now the largest and longest state mobilization in the history of the N.D. National Guard.

“The North Dakota National Guard has been instrumental in our whole-of-government response to this pandemic,” said Gov. Doug Burgum. “We are all deeply grateful for their incredible commitment and tireless efforts to save lives and livelihoods and protect our most vulnerable citizens from this unprecedented threat to public health.”

The N.D. National Guard saw its first activation on March 16 and has conducted support operations for 248 consecutive days. The 2011 flood response saw Guard members on duty for 142 days. About 270 soldiers and airmen remain on COVID-19 duty.

“Our Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees have performed exceptionally well during this emergency response in a multitude of tasks”, said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general. “I am proud of their efforts in this battle to contain this virus in support of the citizens of North Dakota while continuing to conduct much of their normal duties, supporting our federal missions and maintaining readiness.”