Burgum, Dohrmann visit North Dakota troops at US-Mexico border

(US-Mexico Border) — Governor Doug Burgum, North Dakota’s Commander-in-Chief of the North Dakota National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, the Adjutant General of the National Guard in North Dakota, visited soldiers from the Jamestown-based 817th Engineer Company, stationed at the US-Mexico border, where they are supporting the efforts of fthe US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to secure the border.

The visit happened on Friday, and, due to security concerns, the military requested that the location of the 817th not be publicized.

“The well-trained soldiers from the 817th Engineer Company are making a real difference in efforts to enhance national security at the southwest border. And what we learned today is that they have not only taken on this mission, they’ve excelled at it, setting the bar high for future missions,” Burgum said. “These soldiers are detecting tens of thousands of attempted illegal crossings, and in the process they’re helping to protect our country, state and communities and save lives from illegal activity including drug and human trafficking. On behalf of the citizens of North Dakota and a grateful nation, we thank them for their incredible service and wish them a safe and successful mission.”

The 817th deployed to the southwest border on federal status in early November for what’s expected to be a yearlong mission. Burgum received briefings from Guard officials and visited with members of the Jamestown-based unit about their mission in support of CBP border security operations.