Airmen at the forefront of community aid Published May 15, 2013 By Capt. Mark McGregor 5th Bomb Wing Chaplain MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- As North Dakota enjoys its ongoing sunny weather, Ward County Emergency Management officials have braced themselves for a rapid snow melt and rising river levels in the Des Lacs and Souris Rivers. When the county sent word to the community to help make sandbags to be used to help as a protection effort against flooding, they knew that they could count on Minot Air Force Base to help. Dozens of airmen showed up at sites outside of Minot, in Burlington, Carpio and Sawyer to lend a hand. On April 27, groups from Team Minot including the 5th Medical Group's Dental Flight, 705th Munitions Squadron, 5th Security Forces Squadron and the Catholic Men's Group of the Chapel joined up with several Airmen and civilians to create the much-needed sandbags. "We are impressed with the turn-out from the base," said Dan Green, Assistant Director of Emergency Management for Ward County. "These sandbags will really help the unincorporated towns in lower lying areas, like Foxholm." Green explained Ward Emergency Services works with a wide team of agencies and individuals, including the National Weather Services, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Army Corps of Engineers, two North Dakota state agencies, and Canadian authorities that monitor and forecast conditions in the Minot region. The Souris, also called the Mouse River, flows south from Canada through Minot, and is prone to rise when the Canadian snowmelt spikes. "This year's forecast is tough to call because of the large snowfall and flux of temperature, but our office wants the public to stay current with information and watch for possible flooding. We depend on local people to watch and to prepare in case water levels get critical," added Green. He cited the National Weather Service website: www.crh.noaa.gov/bis/ as an important source of information for local river conditions. "It definitely felt great to know that a few hours of work will go toward helping people who need it," said volunteer Maj. Federico Flores, assigned to the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron. The volunteers from Minot AFB and the greater community converted a few piles of sand and dirt into more than 1,000 sandbags at the North Hill site, just off Highway 83. He noted volunteers from Minot AFB were also crucial in making approximately 3,000 sandbags in Burlington. When Minot volunteers left the North Hill site in the afternoon, there was no dirt left. However, by that evening, county officials had delivered more dirt. This was definitely a sign for more community service calls to put Minot AFB muscle to use in turning back rising waters.