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St Paul (KROC AM News) - It seemed like a daily event in 2020 - the activation of the Minnesota National Guard.

And numbers show it came pretty close to reality.

A Guard spokesperson says a summary of its 2020 activities shows “it was a historic year!”

Public Affairs Officer Melanie Nelson has this summary:

MNG conducted more than 700 missions in support of civil authorities and organizations like the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, city and county law enforcement agencies, and the Minnesota Department of Health. The missions took place in 87 counties.

Approximately 60 missions were in support of civil unrest response operations

More than 640 missions were in support of COVID-19 response

Three missions were for weather-related response

Additional missions included explosive ordnance disposal response and fire department support

In contrast, the Guard conducted approximately 80 total response missions from 2016-2019, including the 55th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team’s operations and winter storm, flood, hurricane, and wildfire assistance.

Check here for more information on the MNG.

Governor Tim Walz last Wednesday issued his first MNG authorization of 2021. The order was issued to provide security at the state Capitol and elsewhere and will be in effect through Jan. 27.

GALLERY: Minnesota National Guard in 2020

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