Central ND News

Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota warmly welcomed back the members of the 1st Battalion 112th Aviation Regiment, also known as the "Rough Riders," at a ceremony held at Bismarck's Army Aviation Support Facility. The unit had returned from a deployment to secure the southwest border, combat illegal immigration, and intercept drug and human trafficking.

During the ceremony, Senator Cramer expressed his gratitude to the soldiers, their spouses, families, and employers for their selfless sacrifices. He acknowledged the hardships that children face when their parents are away for extended periods and commended them for their resilience. He stated, "Thank you soldiers, spouses, families, and employers for your selfless sacrifices on our behalf. I believe the children make the greatest sacrifice when a parent is far from home for so long."

Senator Cramer also praised the battalion for their successful mission and highlighted the importance of deterrence at the border. He emphasized that projecting strength requires both the capability and the will to enforce appropriate policies. He stated, "Deterrence at the border, like deterrence around the world, is about having the capability to project strength, but it also is about the will to project strength through appropriate policy enforcement. You demonstrate your capabilities, and it is up to the political leadership of this nation to project the will, and right now, our nation's leader projects weakness. We will continue to work on that will in Washington. Welcome home and God Bless you all."

The 1st Battalion 112th Aviation Regiment, "Rough Riders," is renowned for maintaining the finest safety record in army aviation for the past 60 years. They have achieved zero major accidents and an impressive 99% aircraft maintenance availability rate. The unit operates and maintains the UH-72A Lakota helicopters, which are used for utility missions in non-combat, non-hostile environments.

This deployment marked the first time that the 1st Battalion deployed as a fully staffed unit, spanning 11 states and territories, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and the Virgin Islands. The North Dakota National Guard, which includes the 1-112th, consists of approximately 4,100 Soldiers and Airmen, supported by nearly 1,325 full-time federal and state employees.

Senator Cramer's welcoming ceremony and heartfelt appreciation for the 1st Battalion 112th Aviation Regiment exemplify the gratitude and support shown by the nation towards its dedicated servicemen and women.