Grand Forks-based unit receives alert for possible mobilization

North Dakota Army National Guard unit has received an alert for possible mobilization. If ordered to mobilize, the Grand Forks-based 1^st Battalion, 188^th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188^th ADA) would leave for duty in the National Capitol Region (NCR) early- to mid-summer 2021.

The unit is headquartered in Grand Forks with subordinate units in Fargo and Bismarck and has about 225 Soldiers assigned. If ordered to mobilize, the unit would collaborate with other Department of Defense agencies as part of the integrated air defense system designed to protect NCR airspace. The length of their mission is expected to be about one year and would be consistent with typical U.S. Army ADA missions and tasks associated with aerial surveillance and protection of facilities and personnel from air attack.

“Once again, our N.D. Army National Guard air defenders may be asked to serve in the protection of the airspace in and around our nation’s capital,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general.

If mobilized for this mission, this would be the 1-188^th ADA’s 12th deployment since 2004, making it the most-deployed unit in the North Dakota Army National Guard.