Soldiers Prepare for Deployment | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 11/3/2012

U.S. military presence in the Middle East is winding down, but it`s not over yet. The United States is still at war and North Dakotans continue serving around the world.

Four more North Dakotans will be deploying overseas in the coming weeks. A send-off ceremony was held for them in Bismarck Saturday afternoon. Maj. Mike Lowe of Bismarck is the commander of the unit. He along with Sgt. First Class Heidi Sigl, Staff Sgt. Cody Martin and Staff Sgt. Curtis Richter will be deploying together as members of the Guard`s 1919th Contingency Contracting Team. Each will be serving alone in yearlong missions in Afghanistan and Qatar.

They`ll be serving as contracting officers, helping the U.S. military get the supplies and services it needs.

"Whenever we deploy any of our soldiers or airmen overseas, they`re away from home for up to 12 months. That in itself is very difficult, very challenging. But they are going in harms way and we know that there`s a risk, a great risk but we also know that our soldiers and our airmen are well trained, well-equipped, well-prepared and they`ll take care of one another, take care of themselves and return home safely and very soon," said North Dakota Adjutant General David Sprynczynatyk.

Saturday`s send-off was the 39th send-off in North Dakota since the events of September 11. General Sprynczynatyk says more North Dakotans might be deployed in the upcoming year.

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