An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Warriors of the North help out at GF sand bag central

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman R. Michael Longoria
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Warriors of the North filled more than 10,000 sand bags March 18 in Grand Forks, N.D.

Seventy Airmen from Grand Forks Air Force Base spent a combined 402 man-hours working at the sand bag central in downtown Grand Forks. The 319th Air Refueling Wing received a request for volunteers from the Grand Forks Emergency Operations Center.

Shortly thereafter, Airmen began volunteering and drove the 20 miles downtown to help fill sand bags. As volunteers stated getting tired, more Airmen stepped in to complete the task.

"Our Airmen are spectacular," said Col. Joseph Douez, 319th Mission Support Group commander. "They stepped up almost immediately after we asked and they continued to step up until all the sand bags were filled."

The Airmen worked from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

"Our Airmen worked feverishly until the job was done," said Chief Master Sgt. David Carlson, 319th MSG superintendent. "I'm more than impressed with the selflessness and professionalism our Airmen demonstrated."