NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2010
Contact: Don Canton
(701) 328-2200
HOEVEN, SPRYNCZYNATYK TO VISIT N.D. TROOPS IN KOSOVO
CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO — Gov. John Hoeven and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, will be in Kosovo this week to visit North Dakota troops serving in a year-long peacekeeping mission. A statewide Video Teleconference with the Governor, General and deployed troops will be held for media and families of the troops on Feb. 5. Details of the teleconference will be released Thursday.
The Soldiers, part of the newly re-named Multi-National Battle Group – East, have reached the approximate half-way point in their deployment. Gov. Hoeven and Maj. Gen. Sprynczynatyk will be visiting with them to discuss their experience, and meet with Brig Gen. Alan Dohrmann, Kosovo Forces Battle Group commander.
“We’re going to Kosovo to show our support for our troops and to thank them, on behalf of all North Dakotans, for their outstanding service to our country,” Hoeven said. “They’re doing a great job to provide security for an ally that is working to build a stable democracy. That’s vitally important work, both for the people of Kosovo and for the security of the United States.”
Multi-National Battle Group- East (MNBG-E) is a U.S. led task force commanded by Dohrmann. This task force is comprised of nearly 2,200 Soldiers, including Task Force Hellas and Task Force POL/UKR (Polish/Ukraine). The charter mission of MNBG-E is maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment and providing Freedom of Movement for the people in Kosovo.
The North Dakota National Guard-led task force, formerly known as Multi-National Task Force-East (MNTF-E), officially changed its name to Multi-National Battle Group – East (MNBG-E) signifying the task force’s transformation to a more responsive and flexible force structure. The change is in response to the ever improving security situation throughout Kosovo, brought about by the hard work and cooperation of the people and institutions in Kosovo.
Currently, the North Dakota Army National Guard’s 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), Fargo, N.D., is the headquarters unit for more than 2,000 U.S. and multi-national Soldiers who make up MNBG-E. Other North Dakota units in Kosovo include the 231st Brigade Support Battalion, Valley City, N.D., and the 957th Multi-role Bridge Company, Bismarck, N.D. While in Kosovo, the North Dakota units have served with Soldiers from five other nations – Greece, Poland, Ukraine, Romania and Armenia.
National Guard Contacts:
Rick Smith at 701-333-2007 (office) or 701-426-0190 (cell)
Amy Wieser Willson at 701-451-6130 (office) or 701-412-6895 (cell)
Billie Jo Lorius at 701-333-2288 (office) or 701-426-5205 (cell)
Photos, Videos & Other Updates:
· www.youtube.com/NDNationalGuard
· www.flickr.com/photos/NDGuard
· www.twitter.com/NDNationalGuard
· www.facebook.com/NDNationalGuard
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