BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp met with North Dakota National Guardsmen at an open house in Bismarck prior to their deployment to Africa in September to support U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) operations.

“North Dakota’s National Guard offers the best men and women to serve across the globe protecting our security and freedom,” said Heitkamp. “I met with some of these outstanding Guardsmen today to thank them for their service and make sure they know we have their back before they are deployed to Africa in the coming months. Their service overseas protects the rest of us here at home and we cannot thank them enough for this sacrifice. While they are serving overseas, their families are serving here at home as a continued support system for them while they are deployed and it’s important we recognize the families as well. I know their mission will not be easy, it never is, but their service to North Dakota and the nation is simply invaluable.”

This mission will include six North Dakota National Guard aviators from the Bismarck based Detachment 7, Company C, 2^nd Battalion, 245^th Aviation Regiment, Operational Airlift Support. These guardsmen will be deployed to the Horn of Africa to support U.S. Africa Command by operating a C-12 Huron aircraft to help with the transportation of cargo and personnel.

Heitkamp continually fights to make sure North Dakota’s service members have the resources they need to do their job, return home safe, and secure our nation. She recently helped pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that included many provisions she fought for to protect our national security and provide members of the National Guard with the resources they need to maintain a tough, smart national security strategy such as:

• Making sure veterans and active-duty servicemembers are fairly compensated and honored for their service. Specifically, the NDAA includes high deployment allowances eligibility and protection from reduction in pay for mobilized federal civilian employees.

• Authorizing military construction for a new National Guard Readiness Center in Fargo. The NDAA authorizes $32 million for a National Guard Readiness Center in Fargo.

• Continuing support for the Air National Guard 119^th Wing’s MQ-9 Reaper mission. The NDAA continues to authorize funding for the MQ-9s operated by the Happy Hooligans in Fargo.

• Improving the National Guard officer promotion process. The NDAA provides the Department of Defense the authority to adjust the date of recognition for promotion of Army National Guard and Air National Guard officers. This will allow officers who experience a delay in the federal recognition process to receive their newly earned benefits and the recognition of new rank in expedited time. 

Heitkamp has continued to make sure National Guardsmen have the federal support they need through her work including:

• Heitkamp has consistently pushed for increased benefits, including through legislation she cosponsored that was signed into law to promote equal access to educational opportunities.

• In May 2018, Heitkamp honored North Dakota National Guard’s member Gigi Wilz when she pinned two stars on her shoulder at a promotion ceremony when she became a major general.

• In May 2018, Heitkamp spoke at a North Dakota National Guard Reception in Washington, D.C. about the invaluable role that North Dakota’s Guardsmen play in securing the state, the country, and protecting us around the globe.

• Heitkamp toured the North Dakota National Guard’s 119^th Wing base in Fargo in April 2018and met with Colonel Bradley Derrig, the Vice Commander of the Happy Hooligans.

• In May 2017, Heitkamp updated North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General Major General Alan Dohrmann on a bill she cosponsored at Dohrmann’s request. The legislation would make sure the National Guard isn’t rushed in complying with a new federal requirement that it convert technicians who currently serve both as military and civilian personnel to solely civilian roles.