


Contact: Bill Prokopyk at 701-333-2129 (office) or 701-220-7277 (cell)
ADA Soldiers Ready for Combat Missions
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
N.D. National Guard, and Command Sgt. Major Daniel Job, senior enlisted
leader for the N.D. National Guard, traveled to Texas Wednesday 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.
——
Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard
has mobilized more than 3,400 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support
of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, about 800 North Dakota Guardsmen
are serving overseas. With a total force of about 4,400 Soldiers and Airmen,
sufficient forces remain in the state for emergency response and homeland
defense.
-30-
Photo Cutlines
ADA Soldiers - Fort Hood, TX-1.jpg
Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard,
addresses Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery
Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. The Soldiers were mobilized in early Dec. 2009
and participated in pre-mobilization training prior to deploying to
Afghanistan and Iraq. Photo by Spc. Angie Gross, N.D. National Guard (Dec.
30, 2009). Released.
ADA Soldiers - Fort Hood, TX-2.jpg
Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard,
addresses Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery
Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. Standing on the right are Command Sgt. Major
Job, senior enlisted leader for the N.D. National Guard, and Capt. Walyn S.
Vannurden, commander of the 1-188th ADA Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment
(RAID-IV). The Soldiers were mobilized in early Dec. 2009 and participated in
pre-mobilization training prior to deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. Photo
by Spc. Angie Gross, N.D. National Guard (Dec. 30, 2009). Released.
ADA Soldiers - Fort Hood, TX-3.jpg
Command Sgt. Major Job, senior enlisted leader for the N.D. National Guard
addresses Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery
Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. The Soldiers were mobilized in early Dec. 2009
and participated in pre-mobilization training prior to deploying to
Afghanistan and Iraq. Photo by Spc. Angie Gross, N.D. National Guard (Dec.
30, 2009). Released.
For more information please visit:
N.D. National Guard News Release 10-013 (11/22/2009)
Crowd Gathers to Say Farewell to Three Groups of North Dakota Soldiers
http://www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=445
N.D. National Guard News Release 10-005 (10/9/2009)
1-188th ADA Receives Three Mobilization Orders
www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=436
N.D. National Guard News Release 09-017 (11/13/2008)
ND Army National Guard Unit Receives Mobilization and Alert for Possible
Mobilization Orders
www.ndguard.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=280
20th Infantry Brigade (Training Support)
http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/11/24/30945-120th-infantry-brigade-trains-and-
saves-soldiers/
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/120inf-bde.htm
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Bill Prokopyk
Public Information Specialist
Joint Force Headquarters,
North Dakota National Guard
Office (701) 333-2129
Cellular (701) 220-7277
Fax (701) 333-2017
DSN: 373-2129
william.prokopyk@us.army.mil
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