04.28.13

Hoeven Sees Off 188 Air Defense Artillery Regiment on Deployment to Nation's Capital

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today joined with state and community leaders to honor members of the North Dakota National Guard’s (NDNG) 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at a send-off ceremony ahead of their deployment to the nation’s capital in support of Operation Noble Eagle.

“There is no group of professionals anywhere in the nation better able to defend our capital and represent our state than our North Dakota Air National Guard,” Hoeven said. “Your mission is important and your skills and competence are well up to the task. We’re all so very proud of you.”

The 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment will collaborating will serve as part of the integrated air defense system designed to protect the airspace around the National Capitol Region in support of Operation Noble Eagle. These Soldiers will be a vital part of monitoring and defending the airspace around our nation’s capital. Crews will focus on Avenger, Sentinel radar, National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile and Joint Air Defense Operation Center areas.

All crews took part in significant pre-certification requirements, including tests on visual aircraft recognition, general knowledge, march order and emplacement, missile reload, stinger crew drills, site briefings and conversions to man-portable air-defense systems.