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ND Guard marks one year of COVID-19 response operations

Submitted Photo Spc. Sullivan Ade, of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of 1st Battalion 188th Air Defense Artillery, administers a COVID test at the COVID-19 mobile testing site in Minot on June 19, 2020. The mission is a part of the North Dakota National Guard’s continued support to the state and local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brett Miller, 116th Public Affairs Detachment.

BISMARCK – On Tuesday, the North Dakota National Guard marked its one-year anniversary of COVID-19 response operations in support of state and community health agencies. The first North Dakota Guard members were activated for COVID-19 duty on March 16, 2020.

The ongoing COVID-19 support mission is the largest and longest state mobilization in North Dakota history. On Nov. 19, 2020, the N.D. National Guard logged 67,495 personnel-days, surpassing the previous record of 67,264 personnel-days recorded during response efforts in support of 2011 statewide flooding. As of March 15, the N.D. National Guard has logged 97,914 personnel-days of support in this mission.

“We are deeply grateful for the incredible contributions of the men and women of the North Dakota National Guard who have risen to the challenges presented by this historic pandemic,” said Gov. Doug Burgum. “Their dedicated service and support has been critical in our whole-of-government response to this unparalleled threat to public health, and our entire state is thankful.”

Members of the N.D. National Guard have supported the N.D. Department of Health and local municipal health agencies during this response. Soldiers and airmen have planned, conducted and administered traditional and later the BinaxNOW COVID-19 tests to include support at mobile testing sites statewide. N.D. Guard members have conducted strategic response planning and deep cleaning at long-term and congregate living facilities. Soldiers and airmen have also trained civilians in the use of BinaxNOW testing, assisted in the administering of COVID-19 vaccines, aided in the design of prediction models, which help guide response, and assisted with contact tracing. Guard members also have aided in the transportation of test specimens and provided other support to the state laboratory in Bismarck and administered vaccines to its force in accordance with CDC tiered COVID-19 Vaccine rollout recommendations. Also, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, has co-led the state’s Unified Command during state’s response to the pandemic.

“I salute our Guard soldiers, airmen and civilian employees for their exceptional efforts and unyielding dedication in support of our state and communities during this unprecedented pandemic,” said Dohrmann. “We remain indebted to our families and employers for their understanding and support over the past year. Without them, we would not be successful.”

Submitted Photo Soldiers from the 816th Military Police Company give information packets to incoming patients to fill out at the COVID-19 mobile testing site at Williston High School in Williston, May 4, 2020. Vehicles are directed through the lanes, alongside data collectors who stay with them until they reach the final part of the testing site. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment.

The N.D. National Guard’s other state and federal missions continue despite the pandemic. The Guard recently conducted wildfire and flood response exercises, welcomed airmen home from overseas duty, mobilized and deployed 70 soldiers of the Bismarck-based Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment to the National Capital Region, as well as 150 soldiers in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration.

The N.D. National Guard also conducted Vigilant Guard last summer, an exercise program sponsored by U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) in conjunction with the National Guard Bureau (NGB) designed to improve operational relationships with civilian and military partners at the local, state, regional and national levels.

Currently the Fargo-based 119th Wing has begun its overseas deployment of over 100 airmen while 50 soldiers of the Devils Lake-based 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment and 225 Air Defense Artillery Soldiers from the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment are training for possible mobilizations in support of U.S. Central Command (USCENTOM) and in support of the National Capital Region’s air space protection, respectfully.

N.D. Guardsmen have supported, and will continue to support the response to this pandemic as long as they are needed. About 988 individual N.D. soldiers and airmen have served on COVID-19 response duty. Today, about 240 soldiers and airmen remain on COVID-19 duty.

Submitted Photo Capt. Rebecca Stutz, 119th Medical Group, administers a BinaxNOW COVID-19 test at the FargoDome in Fargo, Feb. 21, 2021. U.S. Air National Guard photo by David H. Lipp.

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