06.05.21

Hoeven Honors Work of 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery at Send-Off Ceremony in Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today commended the service of 225 members of the North Dakota National Guard’s 1st Battalion of the 188th Air Defense Artillery at a send-off ceremony in Grand Forks. The senator honored the servicemembers, and their families, for their service as the soldiers prepare to return to the National Capitol Region (NCR) for a third time. While there, the unit will provide airspace security under Operation Noble Eagle for up to 14 months. 

“No matter where or when, the members of our North Dakota National Guard are always ready to serve,” said Hoeven. “This unit is no stranger to being deployed and as they return to protect our nation’s capital, we thank them and their families for making this sacrifice on behalf of our state and country. We look forward to their safe return.”

Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, continues to support the work of the North Dakota National Guard. Last month, the senator hosted Director of the Air National Guard Lieutenant General Michael Loh at the 119th Wing to discuss securing a new MQ-9 operations center and efforts to support the MQ-9 Reaper mission. The senator also recently hosted Space Development Agency (SDA) Director Dr. Derek Tournear in North Dakota to review a new low-Earth orbit satellite mission in Grand Forks and to review unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the Red River Valley. 

In addition, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) recently signed a memorandum enabling members of the Guard and Reserve to concurrently use Federal Tuition Assistance and GI Bill benefits to fund their education, following Hoeven’s efforts to ensure Guard and Reserve servicemembers receive the full education benefits that they have earned.

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