Members of the North Dakota National Guard Biathlon Team from left to right: Capt. Blake Hillerson, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment; Staff Sgt. Brandon Pulst, Camp Grafton Training Center; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Wynn Roberts, Company D, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment; and Staff Sgt. Joshua Warmbold, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; cross-country ski a lap of the biathlon patrol race at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship, Camp Ripley, Minn., Feb. 17, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, N.D. Air National Guard)
N.D. National Guard Biathlon Teams Take Second in National Championship
The North Dakota National Guard men’s and women’s biathlon team brought home second place in the women's, men's, and the combined overall in the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship held at Camp Ripley, Minn., Feb. 11 to 17, 2022. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, N.D. Air National Guard)
The N.D. National Guard athletes narrowly missed taking top honors in the women’s overall, due to a technicality penalty in the last event of the competition. After the penalty was applied, both the women’s and men's teams took second in the respective categories, resulting in the combined second-place finish. There were four different biathlon events for both the men and the women at the contest with thirty teams from throughout the United States competing, including one team from the U.S. Virgin Islands. The temperatures were often below zero degrees Fahrenheit for competition.
On the men’s side, Capt. Blake Hillerson, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, took first place in the master’s category (10k Sprint Race); Staff Sgt. Joshua Warmbold, of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, placed second in the masters' pursuit and third place in the masters' sprint; and Warmbold and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Wynn Roberts, Company D, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, were named to the All-Guard biathlon team. The North Dakota women won their relay team event.
“I keep coming back for the comradery of my fellow Guard members, and I consider many of our competitors from other states to be friends,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Pulst, N.D. National Guard competitor and coach of the team.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Warmbold, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, N.D. Army National Guard, takes aim at a target on the shooting range of the biathlon patrol race at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship, Camp Ripley, Minn., Feb. 17, 2022.
Members of the N.D. National Guard biathlon team from left to right Chief Warrant Officer 2 Wynn Roberts, Company D, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment; Staff Sgt. Brandon Pulst, Camp Grafton Training Center; Staff Sgt. Joshua Warmbold, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; and Capt. Blake Hillerson, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment; cross-country ski through the penalty portion of the biathlon patrol race at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship, Camp Ripley, Minn., Feb. 17, 2022.
“Being able to compete jointly with the Army and Air is really fun to be a part of. Seeing the same people each year, meeting new people, and seeing the sport grow is great. We have more women here this year than I’ve ever seen before,” said Senior Master Sgt. Danelle Card, 119th Wing.
Senior Master Sgt. Danelle Card, 119th Wing, takes aim at a target from the prone position at the shooting range portion of the biathlon patrol race at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship, Camp Ripley, Minn., Feb. 17, 2022. Her team placed second in the women’s overall category of the competition with several individual and group event awards in various biathlon events.
Members of the N.D. National Guard from left to right: Senior Master Sgt. Danelle Card, 119th Wing, 2nd Lt. Kaitlyn Gura, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and Spc. Sydney Kautz, 188th Engineer Company, cross-country ski a portion of the biathlon patrol race at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship, Camp Ripley, Minn., Feb. 17, 2022. The team contributed to a second-place finish in the women’s overall category of the competition with several individual and group event awards in various biathlon events.
Soldiers and Airmen interested in competing can contact Sgt. 1st Class Tim Simmons, the N.D. National Guard competitive events coordinator, 701-333-3108.
CST to Participate in Alaskan Exercise
The N.D. National Guard loaded equipment onto a C-17 Globemaster aircraft piloted by the 172nd Airlift Wing, Mississippi Air National Guard, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Army Aviation Support Facility, in Bismarck. Eighteen members of the 81st Civil Support Team traveled with their equipment to Alaska for exercise Arctic Eagle-Patriot. (National Guard story and photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
A C-17 Globemaster aircraft, piloted by the 172nd Airlift Wing, Mississippi Air National Guard, lands at the N.D. Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, Feb. 22, 2022.
Senior Master Sgt. Les Ressler, 119th Logistics Readiness Squadron, supervises aircraft loading operations aboard a C-17 Globemaster for the 81st Civil Support Team's (CST) equipment, Bismarck, Feb. 22, 2022.
Senior Master Sgt. Les Ressler, 119th Logistics Readiness Squadron, right, and Capt. Thomas Hansen, 81st Civil Support Team, secure the 81st Civil Support Team's equipment inside a C-17 Globemaster aircraft, at the N.D. Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, Feb. 22, 2022.
Capt. Jacob Sommerfeld, 81st Civil Support Team, drives a vehicle into a C-17 Globemaster aircraft, guided by a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard, at the N.D. Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, Feb. 22, 2022.
119th Rising 6 provides Leadership and Networking Opportunities for Airmen
The 119th Wing Rising 6 council is an enlisted leadership and development organization consisting of Airmen in the ranks E-1 to E-6 with 10 years of service or less. The purpose of the council is to seek ways to improve base morale, build networking opportunities, and mentor leadership, at the North Dakota Air National Guard. (National Guard story and photos by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The program has undergone changes over the past few years. It was originally called the junior enlisted advisory council (JEAC), and then the enlisted leadership council (ELC), before becoming the Rising 6. The council currently meets quarterly, with times and locations posted under the base SharePoint general announcements. The Rising 6 seeks to promote the whole-Airmen mentality encompassing workshops, mentorship, 119th Wing familiarity, and networking connections to help further and enhance careers. Programs like Rising 6 are designed to help Airmen better themselves by helping them learn from each other, thereby making the entire unit better. The peer-to-peer Airmen interaction can also help identify potential problems so they can be addressed, making for a better work environment.
Guest speakers are invited to share career experiences at the meetings. Chief Master Sgt. Chris Andvik, the 119th Wing command chief, attends most Rising 6 meetings and brings the issues and topics discussed back to 119th Wing leadership, where they are given consideration for possible adjustments in how things are done.
“Speaking from my own experience in some of these junior enlisted organizations throughout my own career, I believe the Rising 6 experience will create something that stands out in the careers of those who choose to participate and will be very memorable for our Airmen,” said Andvik.
Chief Master Sgt. Chris Andvik, 119th Wing command chief, speaks at a Rising 6 meeting addressing Airmen about leadership opportunities, at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo N.D. Feb. 5, 2022. The meeting was held to help to provide open communication between Airmen and leadership, build connections and promote mentoring opportunities.
2022 State Schools
Approximately 300 Soldiers attended the state schools event, February 17 to 20, 2022. That number included 30 who attended virtually due to blizzard conditions, which had never been done before. The event, held at Camp Grafton, near Devils Lake, is an annual event where Soldiers have the opportunity to learn new skills or recertify in skills previously learned. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Instructors and trainees come from all major N.D. Army National Guard commands from around the state. Fifteen classes were offered that included Combat Lifesaver, Suicide Intervention Officer, and Unit Public Affairs Representative.
Spc. Sophia Boe, 142nd Engineer Battalion, and Spc. Makenzie Kotchman, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, instruct a Combat Lifesaver recertification course, Feb. 19, 2022, Camp Grafton, Devils Lake, N.D. (National Guard photo by Spc. Donald E. Bond, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
N.D. Army National Guard Soldiers participate in a Global Combat Support System (GCSS-A ) training and certification course during State Schools, Feb. 19, 2022, Camp Grafton, Devils Lake, N.D. (National Guard photo by Spc. Donald E. Bond, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Pfc. Anisssa Rosarrio, 142nd Engineer Battalion, applies a tourniquet to Sgt. Jason Jenkins, 815th Engineer Company, during Combat Lifesaver recertification course at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, N.D., Feb. 19, 2022. (National Guard photos by Cadet Abigail Rezac, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
“The learning opportunities given at state schools are paramount in giving our Soldiers the tools they need to complete requirements like additional skill identifiers (ASI) and additional duties for their jobs,” said Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, N.D. National Guard Army commander.
Spc. James Otoole, 3662nd Maintenance Company, takes a final exam during the Combat Lifesaver recertification course at Camp Grafton in Devils Lake, N.D., Feb. 19, 2022. (National Guard photos by Cadet Abigail Rezac, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Setting the Stage in Togo
The director of the N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP), Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, led a team of four Guardsmen to the Republic of Togo to support the National Defense University African Center for Africa Studies, sponsored by National Defense University, Feb. 14 to 17, 2022. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, Joint Force Headquarters)
The main purpose of this engagement was to conduct a site survey of the Togolese Armed Forces NCO Academy located near the town of Temedja, approximately 200 kilometers north of the capital city, Lome. Meeting with the academy's cadre is an important step in and developing strong relationships and trust necessary for an effective partnership.
The team included the N.D. National Guard's first bilateral affairs officer to Togo, Capt. Jeremiah Colbert, 119th Wing. Colbert will be stationed at the U.S. Embassy to Togo and will manage all security cooperation engagements between the U.S. Africa Command and the N.D. National Guard. He will move to Togo this summer and also be responsible for maintaining the relationship between the National Guard and the Togolese Armed Forces.
Also traveling with the team was Master Sgt. Donald R. Seerup, chief instructor, 1st Battalion, 164th Regional Training Institute (RTI-ND), Camp Grafton Training Center. The 164th RTI-ND is the lead agency for helping the Togo noncommissioned officer (NCO) academy improve current curriculum and help the 60 faculty members learn to better empower NCO leadership.
During Seerup's 16-year tenure as an instructor, the 164th RTI-ND has received five Institutes of Excellence awards from the U.S. Army Training Command (TRADOC). He's also the Faculty and Development Program Manager for the RTI, which averages about 2,000 Soldiers a year. He has held positions of instructor, course manager, assistant branch chief, and branch chief for various sections.
Surface Maintenance Training
The G-4 Surface Maintenance community participated in interactive and collaborative training, Valley City, N.D., Feb. 15 to 17, 2022. (National Guard story and photo by Maj. Rachael Berg, N.D. National Guard employee labor relations,)
Soldiers from across the state representing many maintenance shops attended this training to engage with peers and enhance productivity across the force. The training included a unique opportunity to engage seven shop chiefs who manage the greatest number of technician employees under a directorate. The training maintenance enhances knowledge on safety practices, provides an overview on budget constraints, discusses availability of major end items, and proper management within the digitally enhanced global combat support system. During the event production controllers shared experiences, collaborated on best practices, and built professional relationships with peers, shop chief supervisors met to heighten expertise on management techniques.
New ICU Equipment Training for COVID Response in Ghana
New medical equipment training was facilitated by the N.D. National Guard, Accra, Ghana, Feb. 14 to 18, 2022. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)
The training, a component of the N.D. National Guard's State Partnership Program, was facilitated by Lt. Col. Nathan Lagred, 119th Wing, and Capt. Josh Seil, 164th Engineer Battalion, at the Ridge Hospital. Ghana civilian emergency workers participated in the familiarization training with the life-saving equipment used in treating COVID-19 patients. The donation from the U.S. Department of Defense consisted of over $900,000 worth of equipment for supporting treatment on COVID-19 isolated patients. Among the donations was a tent equipped with a 40-person negative pressure system valuable in COVID response and treatment.
Lt. Col. Nathan Lagred, 119th Wing, foreground, and Capt. Josh Seil, 164th Engineer Battalion, brief Ridge Hospital employees on new equipment training, Accra, Ghana, Feb. 14. (Photos courtesy Ghana Armed Forces)
Employee Development Training
Robert Roehrich, N.D. National Guard equal opportunity manager, Maj. Rachael Berg, N.D. National Guard employee labor relations, and Master Sgt. Myron Huber, N.D. National Guard equal opportunity advisor, presented an engaging and informative presentation on ‘Who's Right? - You Decide", at the N.D. Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, Feb. 24, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The class, previously presented at seven different locations across the state, featured an informal discussion about mediation as well as tools to utilize within the workplace and personal lives to build relationships and resolve conflict. Through improvisation, Berg and Huber acted out a hypothetical work conflict scenario where Roehrich served as the acting mediator. Ultimately, the goal of mediation is not to determine who is right or wrong, but rather to facilitate a discussion to support the parties involved to attain their own mutually agreeable solution or way forward. Mediation is one of the many tools that the N.D. National Guard human resource office provides as a resource to aid in building and sustaining healthy workplace environments.
ESGR EMPLOYER AWARD
North Dakota Air National Guard member Tech. Sgt. Preston Kath, 119th Civil Engineer Squadron, presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to Dr. Erin Spies, the Principal at Heritage Middle School, Horace, N.D., during an after-school staff meeting Feb. 16, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The Patriot Award recognizes supervisors of those who serve in the National Guard or Reserve who have made notable efforts to support a Service member and their family. The employer support is important to the service member’s ability to serve and thereby critical to national defense.
I am grateful for the support Tech. Sgt. Preston Kath received from Dr. Erin Spies and the entire staff at Heritage Middle School during his deployment. The support our unit members receive from their employers help make it possible for them to train to be ready for deployment, and to be able to keep their attention on their mission during their deployment. That support is a critical piece for the successful defense of our country,” said Lt. Col. Jason Olheiser, Kath’s commander in the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron.
“Our Hawk community is proud of the service Tech. Sgt. Preston Kath contributed to our larger community. We are happy that we could help support him during that deployment. Our staff and kids are excited to welcome him back into our Hawk family!” said Spies.
These awards are presented to employers and supervisors who support members of the Reserve Component. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors for the support provided directly to the nominating Service Member and his or her family. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (701) 333-2057 or visit ESGR.mil/ND.
Meritorious Service Medal
Maj. Brett Nelson received the Meritorious Service Medal on Feb. 11, 2022. The award recognizes Nelson’s outstanding achievements between Oct. 1, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2021. Specifically, during his assignments as the executive officer for the Fargo-based 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and as the range officer for the Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake.
The award was presented by Col. Russ Wolf, commander of the 164th Regional Training Institute, during a brief ceremony at Camp Grafton Training Center.
"I congratulate Brett Nelson on his award,” said Wolf. “This citation is in recognition of his competence and attention to detail in two successive, important assignments."
Col. Russ Wolf, right, commander of the 164th Regional Training Institute, presents the Meritorious Service Medal to Maj. Brett Nelson, officer-in-charge, 164th Regional Training, during a brief ceremony at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, Feb. 11, 2022. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Kerri Johnson, 164th Regional Training Institute)
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