Air National Guardsmen were among the 500 National Guard members from two states who worked over last weekend to help fight the Red River floodwaters near Fargo, N.D. Some 200 Minnesota and North Dakota Air and Army Guardsmen joined forces to provide traffic control, fill sand bangs, and build temporary levees. Melting snow and heavy rains sent the Red River over its banks in Fargo on March 22, when it reached 21 feet, but officials expected the river to continue rising possibly up to 41 feet. North Dakota Guard officials expected to call up at least another 300 Guardsmen. (National Guard Bureau release)
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
