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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The 817th Engineer Company from Jamestown will no longer be on Afghanistan Deployment Alert.
Dan Murphy with the National Guard had this information.
“The Soldiers of the 817th Engineer Company have proven their capabilities and dedication in numerous endeavors over the years, from natural disaster support to missions in Iraq,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “I’m grateful for their service and their willingness to take part in yet another mission, but I’m also thankful that their families will no longer need to worry about spending a year apart from their Soldiers. This is also good news for their employers, who have been instrumental in ensuring the mission success of our citizen-Soldiers.”
The North Dakota National Guard unit of nearly 100 Soldiers received an alert notification in December 2012 and began preparing for a potential Afghanistan mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom expected to begin the spring of 2014.
Last June, the unit, which specializes in combat engineer missions, trained for two weeks preparing for their overseas mission at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
The company last deployed from June 2007 until June 2008 and served in Iraq. Prior to its transformation to the 817th Engineer Company, the Jamestown unit was designated Company B of the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion. The Soldiers in that unit also deployed to Iraq, as part of a 15-month mission from December 2003 through February 2005. On each deployment, the Guardsmen served as “Trailblazers,” securing routes of potential hazards to ensure safe movement for coalition forces and civilians.
When asked why the Guard wasn’t being deployed, Murphy stated he didn’t know and it isn’t the first time that units have been taken off of alert.
And acordding to Murphy, it’s been rumored for a while that the Jamestown unit wouldn’t be deployed.
There are currently still some units in deployment from the North Dakota National Guard.