BISMARCK, N.D. –The North Dakota National Guard’s 957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) and the 816th Engineer Company (Horizontal) will be conducting field training exercises at Kimball Bottoms and Nelson Lake areas. The missions will begin Saturday, April 21 at 8 a.m., with training ending Sunday, April 22 at approximately 1 p.m. The training is being conducted in coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The 957th Engineer Company will be using the southeast and northwest boat ramp at Lake Nelson area as a training site for rafting operations. The boat ramp and lake area are still open to the public and the public will be given priority at the ramp.

At Kimball Bottoms, the units’ mission will be to conduct road and trail improvements throughout the area. Soldiers will also be removing sand, trees and other debris that has gathered in the area and preparing the area for future training May 18-20. The area will remain open to the public.

The public should be aware that there will be large military vehicles and various engineer equipment driving throughout the entire Kimball Bottoms area as well as Nelson Lake area. 

Media is invited to report on the training and other operations at Kimball Bottoms. Please contact Staff Sgt. Carey Rasmussen (701-527-3684) to arrange escort to the training area and media are requested to cover training Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The N.D. National Guard is asking the public to be aware of the training activities near Kimball Bottoms and use extreme caution due to increased vehicle and boat traffic and military operations. These precautions are being taken in order to help ensure public safety. The public’s cooperation and understanding is appreciated.

WHAT: National Guard Training at Kimball Bottoms and Nelson Lake

WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 2012, 8 a.m. through Sunday, April 22, 1 p.m.

WHERE: Kimball Bottoms and Nelson Lake areas

Pre-coordination; Kimball Bottoms on-site POC day of training: Staff Sgt. Carey Rasmussen (701-527-3684)

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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, nearly 300 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.