Fargo, N.D., - As the 2010 North Dakota National Guard flood
operations come to a close, the 119th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron is already
in full swing preparing for their next deployment, a two-week humanitarian
mission to Africa through the State Partnership Program (SPP).
Since 2004, the North Dakota National Guard has developed a professional
relationship with Ghana as part of the Department of Defense's SPP. This
program aligns states with partner countries encouraging the development of
economic, political and military ties.
"It's exciting for our squadron to go somewhere that we've never been before.
We have had the opportunity to travel to several unique places in the past,
like Romania, Caribbean, Germany and Honduras twice, but going to Ghana will
be a first for us as a squadron," said Maj. John Gibbs.
Gibbs is part of a three-person advance team that will leave Monday. The rest
of the group, which consists of about 40 Happy Hooligans, are scheduled to
depart April 19.
The North Dakota Airmen, along with a group of Airmen from the 127th Civil
Engineer Squadron based out of Michigan, will work together to complete two
major construction projects while they're in the country.
The first project will consist of renovating a medical laboratory facility at
the Ghanaian Armed Forces 2nd Battalion in Takoradi, a city in the western
region of Ghana. The Airmen will replace the roof, construct interior
partitions, plaster and paint walls, conduct electrical work, fix the
flooring and install air conditioning units and windows in the facility.
The second project will take place at the Acota Academy at Burma Camp, near
the capital city of Accra. The Airmen will be tasked with window
installation, painting and electrical work.
"Our primary mission as a Civil Engineer Squadron is to be able to support
air operations worldwide and these types of deployments help us to remain
trained and prepared to do just that," said Gibbs. "Not only will it be an
incredible experience, but it will also give us a chance to train in our
contingency skills that are vital in our jobs."
Since the inception of SPP, over 180 North Dakota Guardsman, civilian
officials, Ghanaian military and civilians have conducted SPP events and
workshops to include topics such as disaster management, aviation safety and
maintenance, military medical and community health programs, military
engineering, public affairs, and leadership.