09-067 Flood Feature: Guard Quick Reaction Force Responds to Flood Threat near Kindred, N.D. Published April 20, 2009 By Spc. Chris Erickson NDNG Public Affairs KINDRED, N.D. -- North Dakota National Guard Soldiers responded to a request to help combat overland flooding today that threatened a handful of rural homes about four miles northeast of the town of Kindred. Two Quick Reaction Force (QRF) teams of approximately 20 Soldiers each, quickly responded to the emergency call with three bobcats, a bucket loader and a bulldozer. They arrived within an hour of receiving the assistance call, bringing sandbags loaded on a Palletized Load System (PLS) truck. The QRF teams responded from their staging locations in Fargo at Discovery Middle School, Titan Machinery and the El Zagel shrine. "This is a perfect example of why the QRF exists," said Command Sgt. Maj. Harley Schwind, senior enlisted Soldier for Joint Task Force-East in Fargo. "They quickly and effectively sprung into action, helping protect the homes of fellow North Dakotans threatened by rising flood waters from the Sheyenne River." One of the threatened homes belonged to Mike Schmidt who said that "The river overflowed its banks to the southwest of his home and flowed cross-country headed right at towards him." The Citizen-Soldiers of the QRF worked side-by-side with dozens of neighbors who also turned out to help Schmidt and other area residents protect their homes with sandbags. "The response was unbelievable," Schmidt said. "It's a huge relief and the Guard's help was more than welcome." -- Since the terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 2,800 Soldiers and more than 1,600 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. More than 1,900 National Guardsmen have been mobilized for current flood fighting missions all across North Dakota - another 1,100 Guardsmen remain available to provide support for state and national emergencies and homeland defense. -30-