North Dakota National Guard to activate troops for 250th celebrations

NORTH DAKOTA (KVRR) — North Dakota National Guard troops will be stationed across the state to assist in the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The North Dakota Emergency Commission on Monday approved a $283,000 request to deploy the troops.

50 troops will be stationed, with half in Dickinson and the other half in Bismarck.

Funding for the activation of the troops will be paid through special funds in the North Dakota Disaster Relief Fund.

“So they’ll work on equipment maintenance, they’ll work on some other training pieces, so they’ll maintain awareness of the operational environment of events that are going on around the state,” said Lt. Col. Matt Voeller, Director of Domestic Plans and Operations for the North Dakota National Guard. “We’ll work with civil law enforcement. We’ve got liaisons that are set up in the state emergency operations center, so we can monitor everything that’s happening and be quick to respond if necessary.”

The funding for the deployment was available from an executive order made in April to support the 250th anniversary celebrations.