Governor Pawlenty visits Soldiers during Flood Fight 2009

MOORHEAD, Minn. -– Late yesterday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty visited the city of Moorhead to assess the flood situation.

Pawlenty traveled to the Moorhead Armory to visit Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard. The Governor received a situation report from the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry (2-136 CAB). This included a briefing from Capt. Chip Rankin, one of 2-136’s operations officers. Pawlenty then participated in a brief availability with local media and discussed the continuing need for volunteers at staging areas around the Fargo-Moorhead area.

The Governor went on a humvee patrol with 2-136’s Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Andrew Englehardt and Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Erickson. They visited residents of Oakport, a town just north of Moorhead. Pawlenty thanked local residents who’ve stayed in their homes and worked to keep the flood at bay.

After visiting Oakport, the Governor stopped off in South Moorhead to visit a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) of 15 Soldiers. These Soldiers have been stationed at a local business for days. They remain on 'alert' and stand ready to move out at a moment’s notice to support local flood fight efforts.

In such difficult days, it's great to see Minnesotans come together during Flood Fight 2009. "We appreciate the assistance of our federal partners in fighting this historic flood,” Governor Pawlenty said. “We’re putting everything we’ve got into this effort and it helps to have every level of government working side-by-side.”

Spc. Davin Fischer • Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs
March 30, 2009

Mar. 30, 2009 Governor Pawlenty visits Soldiers during Flood Fight 2009 - Low-Res