Shutdown Cancels Minnesota Guard Drills

The National Guard's state training officer says a few units will continue to drill for specific training requirements.

Meanwhile, about 350 military technicians who work at Camp Ripley remain on furlough.

About 2,100 full-time military personnel support Minnesota National Guard activities. Of those, 1,207 are military technicians who have been furloughed since Monday.

Military technicians were not included in a bill signed by President Barack Obama authorizing payment to troops during the shutdown.

A Camp Ripley spokesman declined to comment on the type of work the technicians perform or how the furloughs are affecting the workload of those still working at the camp.