Deployed Engineers arrive in U.S.

FORT BLISS, Texas — About 160 members of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s 188th Engineer Company (Vertical), which is based in Oakes, N.D., and Wahpeton, N.D., arrived in the U.S. Wednesday.

The unit, which includes people from 68 communities, deployed to Kuwait in August 2011.

The soldiers will complete demobilization briefings, health care checks and paperwork at Fort Bliss, Texas, for more than a week before they're expected to return to North Dakota.

The North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs Office will announce the unit's flight time to North Dakota once it has been established.

“Thank you for your dedicated service this past year. You've accomplished more than even anticipated,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, to the returning troops.

While deployed, the 188th Engineer Company completed more than 83,000 hours of work on construction projects and spent more than 3,000 hours operating equipment. It's estimated that their efforts saved more than $1.2 million on construction projects alone.

“We are thrilled to know that the brave men and women of the 188th Engineer Company are safely back in the country they so honorably served while deployed to Kuwait this past year,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “They completed their mission successfully and carried on the North Dakota National Guard's proud tradition of distinguished service in support of the global war on terrorism.”

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