North Dakota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen worked with the Department of Emergency Services to build a handline and conducted a controlled burn to prevent the further spread of a wildfire, Mandaree, North Dakota, Oct. 6. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Samuel J. Kroll, Visual Information)
Contents
- National Guard Wildfire Response
- State Partnership Program
- 131st Military Police Battalion Change of Command
- Wing's Newest Chief Master Sergeant
- Happy Hooligans Student Flight
- Da Guards Podcast
- Recruiting & Retention Awards
- Never Back Down Video
- "From the Field Campaign"
- The Bomb Father Retires
- Williston Open House
- 119th Wing Volunteering
- Veterans Stand Down Minot
- Halloween Events Coming Soon!
National Guard Wildfire Response
North of Bismarck
North Dakota Army National Guard air crews fight wildland fires North of Bismarck, North Dakota, Oct. 12, 2024. (National Guard photos by Nathan Rivard)
North Dakota Army National Guard aircrews fight wildland fires North of Bismarck, North Dakota, Oct. 12, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Leif Anderson)
Mandaree
North Dakota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen worked with the Department of Emergency Services to build a handline and conducted a controlled burn to prevent the further spread of a wildfire, Mandaree, North Dakota, Oct. 6. (National Guard photos and video by Staff Sgt. Samuel J. Kroll, Visual Information)
Governor Doug Burgum declared a statewide fire emergency on October 3 and activated the North Dakota National Guard.
State Partnership Program
U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher M. Domitrovich, 119th Wing Commander, and members of the North Dakota National Guard took part in a State Partnership Program (SPP) meeting with Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Northern Command leadership team at their headquarters in Tamala, Ghana on Sept. 10. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The North Dakota National Guard and Ghana have partnered for military to military engagements, building relationships and learning from each other.
131st Military Police Battalion Change of Command
The 131st Military Police Battalion hosted a change of command ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, in Bismarck, Oct. 6. (National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
U.S. Army Col. Kevin Miller, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander, receives the guidon from Lt. Col. Kristopher Elijah, 131st Military Police Battalion outgoing commander, during a change of command ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, in Bismarck, Oct. 6.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jay Sheldon, hands the unit guidon to Command Sgt. Maj. Elizabeth Ouradnik during a change of command ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, in Bismarck, Oct. 6.
Wing's Newest Chief Master Sergeant
The 119th Maintenance Squadron welcomed the Wing's newest Chief Master Sgt. as Larry Larson was promoted to the top enlisted rank in the Air Force in Fargo, Oct. 10. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Larry Larson was pinned by his wife to the top enlisted rank in the Air Force in Fargo, Oct. 10.
The rank was created by an act of Congress and is awarded to the top 1% of the enlisted force. Maintenance Squadron Commander, Major Erin Arbogast presided over the ceremony and Chief Larson's family pinned on his new rank.
Happy Hooligans Student Flight
The Happy Hooligans welcomed Student Flight members to practice the assembly and disassembly of the M4 training rifle, a beneficial skill for basic training at the Fargo Air National Guard Base in Fargo Oct. 6. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Enlistees with the 119th Wing who are awaiting basic training attend Student Flight over drill weekends. This is where they learn the essential skills and knowledge to prepare them for success in basic training and their future military careers.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast focuses on highlighting the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, former North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, discusses his military career before retiring on Sept. 15, 2024. Dohrmann served for more than 40 years and served as adjutant general since 2015.
New podcast episodes will be announced every other Monday.
Recruiting & Retention Awards
The N.D. Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion held their quarterly Strength Maintenance Brief at Camp Grafton Training Center, Oct. 4. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Carrigan, N.D. Guard Recruiting & Retention)
During the brief the Battalion awarded four traveling trophies to two Battalions and two Companies for their tremendous work of retaining Soldiers in fiscal year 24.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Lucas Klettke and Command Sgt. Maj. Kendall Struxness, 142nd Engineer Battalion, command team, were awarded a trophy for a 8.93% attrition rate for retaining Soldiers in fiscal year 2024.
These Battalions and Companies untiring efforts and devotion to duty towards the NDARNG Recruiting and Retention Mission. Through their support across the State lead to yet another outstanding year of retaining the most professional and competent Soldiers for hum that serve in the North Dakota National Guard.
U.S. Army Maj. Joshua Yri and Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel Hansen 1-112th Aviation Battalion, command team, accepting a trophy on behalf of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Aviation Regiment with a 2.08% attrition rate for retaining Soldiers in fiscal year 2024.
The ND 1000 mission is truly showing to be of great interest across the force with hundreds of Soldiers enlisting through the program.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steven Bohl and Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Pearson, 164th Engineer Battalion, command team, accepting a trophy for Totals for the most “quality” leads to enlistments rated battalion size (99 Leads) with 7 enlistments in fiscal year 2024.
Never Back Down Video
"From the Field Campaign"
Wildfire Thank You
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, ND National Guard adjutant general, accompanied Gov. Doug Burgum and state officials to survey the impact of several large wildfires. Together, they met with firefighters, emergency managers, and local officials in Tioga and Watford City, offering their gratitude and support for the critical work being done on the frontlines. (Photos by Mike Kennedy, Governors Office)
Mandaree Thank You
The Mandaree students and staff handed out thank you cards for protecting their community from wild land fires on Oct. 10. (Story and photos by Lisa DeVille)
The group also hung a banner on wall at the mandaree volunteer fire department building to thank wild land fire fighters who fought the bear den fire.
Command Guidance Briefs
Leaders from across the State came together on the morning for a breezy ‘Fun Run’ before kicking off FY26 Command Guidance briefs at Camp Grafton Training Center on Oct 7. (Photo by Warrant Officer Maari Beck, Army Command Executive Officer)
Military Appreciation Game
The Mandan Braves football team proudly wore National Guard jerseys during it's Military Appreciation Game at Starion Sports Complex in Mandan, Oct. 4. Mandan won the game 37 - 7 with victory against Legacy High School. (Photos courtesy of North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting social media)
The Bomb Father Retires
Happy Hooligan Senior Master Sgt. Kurt "The Bomb Father" Sletmoe, the Munitions Flight Chief for the 119th Force Maintenance Squadron, was recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony, October 4th at the 119th Wing. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Maj Erin Arbogast presents Senior Master Sgt.Kurt Sletmoe with the Meritorious Service Medal at his retirement ceremony at the 119th Wing, Oct. 4.
Sletmoe distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service over the course of his 36-year Military career. His leadership and professionalism has made him a fixture with the Happy Hooligans.
Williston Open House
N.D. National Guard recruiters partnered with the Williston School District to host a fall National Guard open house at the Williston High School in Williston, Oct. 9. (U.S. National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
U.S. Army Sgt. Alec Humble, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge), allow students to explore the Bridge Erection Boat during a fall National Guard open house at the Williston High School in Williston, Oct. 9.
The event allowed high school students the opportunity to explore careers fields the N.D. Army National Guard offers. Soldiers with various MOSs (Military Occupation Specialty) were present to discuss their experiences.
U.S. Army Pfc. Layne Larson, 816th Military Police Company, shows students the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) during a fall National Guard open house at the Williston High School in Williston, Oct. 9.
The event featured military police, automotive mechanic, bridging engineering, communication, and information and technology MOSs.
Soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th air Defense Artillery, talks with students about a radar trailer during a fall National Guard open house at the Williston High School in Williston, Oct. 9.
119th Wing Volunteering
Members of the 119th Wing volunteered to participate in a Habitat for Humanity home build in Fargo, N.D. on Sept. 26. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The Happy Hooligan Airmen helped build a roof on the garage for the home, building relationships and skills while helping a local family to become home owners.
Veterans Stand Down Minot
The North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support will assist in supporting a Veterans Stand Down at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot, Oct. 17.
The original Stand Down for Veterans was modeled after a concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. Stand Down’s currently hold agencies, organizations, and educational materials that benefit all Veterans, Service Members, and Families.