ST. PAUL, MN -Governor Mark Dayton released the following statement this evening on the announcement that the Secretary of Defense has ordered nearly 700 Minnesota Army National Guard Soldiers from the Rosemount-based 34th Red Bull Infantry Division to be mobilized to West Africa to support Operation United Assistance.

"President Obama has assigned our nation's very best, the Minnesota National Guard, to perform this critical mission in West Africa. Their heroic work will protect the health and safety of Americans here at home and of people throughout the world.

I thank these Minnesota heroes for their service. I want to assure them and their families that we will do everything possible to ensure their successful mission and their safe return to their loved ones."