Aviation Unit Receives Alert for Possible Mobilization (3/23/2012)

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North Dakota Army National Guard’s Det. 42 commander, Warrant Officer 5 Mitch Torgeson (right) congradulates Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kelby Hovey at the unit's Freedom Salute, Bismarck, N.D. on June 25, 2010. The unit's eight Soldiers of the Bismarck based Detachment 42 (Det. 42), Operational Support Airlift were formally honored for their yearlong deployment and service in Djibouti, Africa. (Photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)

BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota Army National Guard unit has received an alert notification for possible mobilization. The Bismarck-based Detachment 42 (Det. 42), Operational Airlift Support Agency (OSA) if mobilized, would deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in early 2013. This would be the unit’s third mobilization, which served in Afghanistan from Sept. 2004 until March 2005 and Djibouti, April 2009 to Feb. 2010.

Eight Soldiers will mobilize with Det. 42. This small but highly specialized aviation unit consists of one C-12 Huron aircraft. Their mission is to provide fixed wing aircraft of cargo and transport of personnel in their area of operations.

“Our aviators are extremely competent, well-trained Soldiers who take their mission seriously. Should a mobilization order follow this alert, they will have positive impact on aviation operations,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “The unit has earned a tremendous reputation thanks to their outstanding service and support during previous deployments.”

Soldiers in the Det. 42 were notified of their alert status by their leadership yesterday.

The unit is led by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Mitchell Torgeson of Bismarck, N.D. Almost all of the Soldiers scheduled for this mission have deployed in the past. For most, it will be their second deployment and for one Soldier it will be his fourth.

Approximately 275 Guardsmen are serving overseas, and 2 other units are on alert for possible mobilization. North Dakota Army National Guard units that are currently mobilized include, the Bismarck based Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Security and Support) and the Wahpeton, N.D. based 188th Engineer Company (Vertical). Units on alert are the 1919th Contingency Contracting Team (CCT), which is expected to depart in the December 2012 and the 818th Engineer Company, which is expected to depart in April.

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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 3,800 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, about 275 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas while more than 4,000 remain in the state for emergency response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.

High Resolution Photos in Flickr Collection “Det 42 Operational Support Airlift”

For more information please visit: Operational Support Airlift Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va. is the proponent for U.S. Army aviation fixed wing operations and standardization.

Related N.D. National Guard News Releases

Aviation Soldiers Honored for service in Africa (6/25/2010)

Soldiers, Military Families to be Honored Following Horn of Africa Deployment (6/23/2010)

Det. 42 Soldiers Arrive Safely on U.S. Soil (2/13/2010)

Gov, Adjutant General Announce Return of Det. 42 (1/19/2010)