|
Senator Cramer’s Praises
Guardsmen for Their Service and Leadership |
|
FARGO – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a
Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) member, attended a groundbreaking
ceremony today at the Fargo Air National Guard Base for the North Dakota Air
National Guard’s (NDANG) new Consolidated Operations Center. The center will
be used by the NDANG 119th Wing, known as the “Happy Hooligans,” to operate
the MQ-9 Reaper, an unmanned aerial vehicle controlled remotely by the Airmen
in Fargo.
“The Happy Hooligans have long been a model for
the Air Force of strong leadership and success. This new operations center
will help them carry on that legacy by harnessing state-of-the-art
technologies which they will use to continue their work of keeping America
safe and secure,” said Senator Cramer. “I am grateful for
all who answer the call to serve in the North Dakota National Guard and for
the progress today’s groundbreaking represents in getting them the tools they
need. I plan to work with our leaders to ensure this center gets completed on
time and ready for their use as quickly as possible.”  Senator Cramer received a briefing and tour of
the 26,000 square foot operations center following the groundbreaking. As a
member of SASC, the senator helped write the 2020 National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) which authorized funding
for this project. He announced those
funds had been awarded for the center in July by the U.S. Army, which expects
it to be completed by October 2022.  Senator Cramer has repeatedly used his seat on
SASC to help support the North Dakota National Guard and intelligence
efforts. The NDAA passed by SASC
earlier this year includes $100 million for the Air Force to acquire
additional MQ-9 Reapers which are flown by the NDANG 119th Wing.  Following the events at the operations center,
Senator Cramer participated in a tour and ribbon cutting at the North Dakota
Army National Guard’s Fargo Readiness Center. The 93,331 square foot facility
with its 59,376 square foot vehicle storage building will be used by the
141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the 191st Military Police Company, and
the 112th Aviation Regiment. “Part of what separates our military from the
rest is the quality of our Guardsmen, and these units are among the first to
be called to respond in times of duress,” said Senator Cramer. “The
Fargo Readiness Center will ensure their efforts are properly coordinated and
their equipment is efficiently stored and maintained. I am grateful this
longtime project has been completed under budget and ahead of schedule, and I
trust our Guardsmen will put it to good use.”  Senator Cramer advocated for
funding for the Fargo Readiness Center as a member of the U.S. Representatives
in 2018, and he participated in
the groundbreaking in August 2019.
|