News Releases for October 2005
October 27, 2005
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Hoeven, Deputy Adjutant General Announce Return And Welcoming Plans For 188th Air Defense Artillery Battalion
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven, along with Deputy Adjutant General Jerald Engelman, today announced the return of members of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s 188th Air Defense Artillery Battalion, F Battery, scheduled to arrive in North Dakota next month after serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. One hundred soldiers from the 188th were deployed to Iraq in December 2004 as part of the 116th Brigade Combat Team based in Idaho.
“The brave men of Battery F of the 188th Air Defense Artillery have served this state and nation with courage and honor,” Hoeven said. “We welcome them home with great pride. Hand-picked for this important mission to train Iraqi Army soldiers, these heroes stepped up and got the job done with skill and distinction.”
A majority of the soldiers will arrive at Fort Lewis, Washington the first week in November, with the remaining members to follow over the next couple of weeks. The soldiers will then complete their demobilization procedures and return home to North Dakota as early as the second week of November.
According to Hoeven, the National Guard will do everything possible to let families, friends and communities know when the soldiers will arrive in North Dakota so they can be there to welcome them home. The Governor has asked the Guard to arrange official welcome home ceremonies, at a date to be announced, once the soldiers have had an opportunity to get reacclimated and spend time with their families and friends.
“Our first priority is to get the soldiers into the arms of their loved ones as soon as possible,” Engelman said. “Then we will honor these fine men at a formal ceremony for the incredible job they performed in Iraq. They have completed a difficult mission, and they’ve done it very well. The provinces of Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah are more secure today as a result of their skills and hard work.”
Hoeven and Engelman also expressed their gratitude to the family, friends and communities, who have stood behind these soldiers. “You have served your country honorably,” Hoeven said. “Because of your support and sacrifice, your loved ones have been able to successfully perform this important mission and return home to proud families and grateful communities.”
The 100 members of Battery F of the 188th Air Defense Artillery were mobilized on June 28, 2004, and began their one year “boots on ground” service on December 2, 2004. As part of the 116th Brigade Combat Team’s Task Force 3-116 Armor, “Fox” Battery was in charge of training two companies of Iraqi Army soldiers in Kirkuk, Iraq, focusing on basic task skills to aid them while performing security missions in that country.
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