RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Air and Army National Guard has cancelled the October 5-6, 2013 scheduled drill assembly as a result of the government shutdown. Due to the lapse in federal appropriations, select units of the South Dakota National Guard are in the process of contacting their members to inform assigned Soldiers and Airmen that drill is canceled for this upcoming weekend and, provided the federal government passes a budget for 2014 or a long-term Continuing Resolution, is rescheduled for October 26-27.

Not all SD National Guard units are affected by the decision to reschedule the October 5-6 drill assembly. Units preparing for an upcoming mobilization will still drill and some units were scheduled to drill on other weekends in October. Soldiers and Airmen of the SD National Guard are encouraged to contact their units for further guidance on scheduled drill assembly for October.

In spite of the government shutdown, the National Guard remains available for call-up in the event of a natural disaster or state emergency.

Currently, there are over 200 SDNG Soldiers and Airmen serving in combat in Afghanistan or deployed to the Middle East.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Maj. Corey Norris, Interim Public Affairs Officer, at (605) 737- 6785 or cell (605) 393-5929, or e-mail ng.sd.sdarng.list.pao@mail.mil