06.14.12

Hoeven Welcomes Home Members of the ND Air Guard's 119th Civil Engineering Squad

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today welcomed and thanked members of the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Civil Engineer Squadron from a six-month deployment in Southwest Asia. The unusually large group of airmen completed a broad range of construction, electrical, heating and other projects.

Approximately 20 North Dakota Air National Guard members remain deployed overseas in Southwest Asia, Afghanistan, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. An additional 300 North Dakota Army National Guard troops are deployed in Kuwait, Kosovo and at a mobilization station in Fort Bliss, Texas preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan.

“While I regret Senate business keeps me from attending in person, I wanted to be sure to thank and welcome our Air National Guard members home to their friends and families,” Hoeven said. “The sheer number of projects they completed while overseas is a testament to their outstanding skill, versatility and dedication to serving our country. We are all very proud of them.”

Hoeven hosted Sen. John McCain of Arizona for a tour of the Air National Guard’s base in Fargo last weekend. The senators reviewed the Air Guard’s Predator and C-21 missions, as well as the transition to the C-27J mission. The senators also thanked the airmen for their exemplary service to the nation. Senator McCain is Ranking Member on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Last year, the North Dakota National Air Guard 119th Wing won the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. It was the 14th time the Wing has received this award, which recognizes excellence in military performance.