North Dakota National Guard heading to southern border

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota National Guard will be deploying soldiers to help with border protection.

About 125 soldiers from a Bismarck-based unit will be sent to the U.S. border with Mexico later this year for an undetermined amount of time.

They will assist Customs and Border Protection along the border.

The soldiers from the 957th Engineer Company are expected to deploy this fall.

Gov. Doug Burgum’s office says the request was made by the Department of the Army.

The mission specifics are yet to be disclosed, but the National Guard has helped forces in securing the border in the past.

“As we get details about the mission and the task they are requested to perform in the upcoming weeks we will develop their training plan to make sure they are trained in all aspects and they’re ready to perform their mission,” North Dakota National Guard Lt. Col. Derek Kuntz said.

The soldiers are expected to return after one year.