Hello Neal,
Here is our statement:
STATEMENT FROM THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
~~ Attributable to Lieutenant Colonel Mark Wiens, Commander of the 2nd
Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment ~~
“On Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28 the Minnesota National Guard’s Crookston-based B Co., 2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment conducted urban
operations training in Crookston.
The training occurred at two houses scheduled for demolition (416 and 424 Summit Avenue North) with city administrator approval. Crookston police department was informed, notification was sent to the surrounding neighborhood and an announcement was made on the local radio station.
Residents were informed in advance to expect high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles traveling between the Crookston National Guard Armory and
Summit Avenue.
Residents were also informed that Soldiers were utilizing blank ammunition and had military issue weapons. Soldiers on site were available at all times
to answer citizen questions about training during the exercise.
The Minnesota National Guard enjoys great support from the citizens of Crookston as it was the first established Beyond the Yellow Ribbon network in northwest Minnesota recognized by the governor for its efforts.
The unit has been active in supporting community needs in times of need — for example, flood response — and the community has responded to support
deployed soldiers’ families and currently helping returning veterans find employment in the Red River Valley.
There is a great mutual admiration and long-standing respect shared between the community of Crookston and its National Guard unit, B Co., 2nd Battalion,
136th Infantry Regiment. We continue to serve and honor this relationship.
Upon reflection, the successful training was a valuable exercise that prepared the Citizen-Soldiers of the Crookston unit to respond to any possible future state or federal mission in an urban environment.”
///////// END OF STATEMENT /////////////////////
Thank you,
Master Sgt. Daniel Ewer
Public Affairs Journalist
Minnesota National Guard
Initially heard of this story on Intel Hub
http://theintelhub.com/2012/05/01/fully-armed-u-s-troops-patrol-minnesota-neighborhood/
They were able to get photographs of the event from local citizen.
Neal Thomas
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