TAG Line Dec. 9, 2024

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Trevor Kleineschay, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, talks about the UH-72 Lakota mission during the Legislative Reception at the Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 3. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Cleghorn Promotion to Brigadier General

U.S. Army Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, Joint Force Headquarters, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, ND, Dec. 6. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland)

U.S. Army Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, Joint Force Headquarters, is pinned his new rank by his Wife.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, ND National Guard deputy adjutant general, gives the oath of office to Cleghorn.

New Army Commander

The N.D. National Guard’s Land Component Command (LCC) conducted a change of command ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, ND, Dec. 7.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, presided over the ceremony, which saw Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson relinquish command to Brig. Gen. Benjamin Cleghorn. As LCC commander, Erickson led close to 3,000 N.D. Guard Soldiers since Nov. 2021.

N.D. National Guard's outgoing Land Component Commander, Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, speaks to a crowd during a change of command ceremony.

Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, state command sergeant major for the N.D. Army National Guard, passes the colors representing the N.D. National Guard's LCC to the outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, during a change of command ceremony.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, passes the colors representing the N.D. National Guard's LCC to the new Army commander, Brig. Gen. Benjamin Cleghorn, during a change of command ceremony.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, presents Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, a retirement gift after a change of command ceremony.

2024 Legislative Reception

The Office of the Adjutant General hosted the 2024 Legislative Reception at the N.D. National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 3. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Members of the 816th Military Police Company, discuss the role of military police during the Legislative Reception.

Approximately 60 legislative representatives and leaders from across the state attended the event.

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, demonstrate the Avenger air defense system's.

The purpose of the reception was to inform N.D. state legislators on activities, initiatives and programs of the N.D. Air and Army National Guard, N.D. Dept of Emergency Services and the Civil Air Patrol. The last Legislative Reception was in 2022.

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, address Lt. Governor Tammy Miller, during the Legislative Reception.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tami Abrahamson, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Aviation Regiment, discusses the importance of Army aviation in state emergency response operations during the Legislative Reception.

U.S. Army Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Aviation Regiment, talked the importance of Army aviation in state emergency response operations during the Legislative Reception.

U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Sorum, Company A, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, talks about the UH-72 Lakota mission during the Legislative Reception.

Sgt. Shanna Bosch, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) answers questions during the Legislative Reception.

Members of the N.D. Air Guard's 219th Security Forces Squadron, answer questions during the Legislative Reception.

Visitors got to fire weapons from the Engagement Skills Trainer.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, ND National Guard adjutant general, and Lt. Governor Tammy Miller greets Brenda Nagel, president & CEO, Bismarck Mandan Chamber, during the Legislative Reception.

Wing Cleaning

119th Wing commander, Col. Chris Domitrovich rolls up his sleeves, joining crew chief, Staff Sgt. Elijah Hansen to personally wash his MQ-9 Reaper aircraft at the Fargo Air National Guard Base, Dec. 8. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle)

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

Leo Hughes

Let's meet Chief Warrant Officer 2 Leo Hughes! Hughes is a member of the Headquarter and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Regiment, and currently a help desk technician for the North Dakota National Guard's G6 office.

You can also find episodes on these streaming services!

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New podcast episodes will be announced every other Monday.

ND 2000

Promoted to Major

U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Groninger, plans and policy officer, was promoted to the rank of major during a ceremony at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, Dec. 5. (U.S. National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

U.S. Army Maj. Andrew Groninger, plans and policy officer, is pinned his new rank by his wife.

Groninger family after the event.

From the Field Campaign

State Medical Detachment Promotions

U.S. Army Maj. Kayla Teneyck, medical surgeon nurse, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during a ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Dec.8.

U.S. Army Maj. Shelley Bartow, physician assistant, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during a ceremony at the Fargo Readiness Center, Fargo, Dec.7.

U.S. Army Capt. Ciciley Littlewolf, field surgeon, was promoted to the rank of major during a ceremony at the Fargo Readiness Center, Fargo, Dec.7.

N.D. Cares in Horace

Several members of the ND Cares statewide program joined in at the city council meeting of Horace, N.D. Dec. 3. (Photos courtesy of Horace, N.D. social media)

The North Dakota Cares (ND Cares) Coalition includes a broad spectrum of more than 40 service providers and partners whose work touches the lives of Service Members, Veterans, Families, and Survivors. ND Cares is dedicated to improving understanding of the needs and services required by our heroes who should be able to access them close to home

Horace, North Dakota is now a nationally recognized N.D. Cares partner community.

In attendance were Lt. Col. Alan Roehrich, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Shelly Sizer, N.D. Cares Chairman and Civilian Aid to the Sec. of the Army, Nikki Frohlich, N.D. Military Outreach representative and Sarah Kemp-Tabbut, Community Engagement and Partnerships, Fargo VA.

To find us on the web - https://g0306b6fbd96b8d-ftf.adb.us-gov-ashburn-1.oraclegovcloudapps.com/ords/r/ngnd/upload-file/upload_files

St. Barbara's Ball

The 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery held is Saint Barbara's Day Ball, Dec. 7, at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger, Spc. Anna Welchel, and Pfc. Raul Boamah)

During the evening, 11 Soldiers were inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara is reserved for those who have displayed exceptional professional competence and significant contributions to the field artillery, honoring the devotion and contributions of individuals like Saint Barbara. Additionally, two Soldiers were recognized with the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe, that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional integrity, moral character, and professional competence within the Ordnance Corps. Ms. Brandy Arredondo was inducted into the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher, that recognizes those individuals who have voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the Air Defense Artillery Community.

U.S. Army Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery, are inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.

U.S. Army Maj. Corey Arnold, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery shakes hands with Brig. Gen. Richard Wholey, Deputy Commanding General for the 263rd Army Air Missile Defense Command.

Ms. Brandy Arredondo is inducted into the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher.

U.S. Army Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery, are recognized with the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe.

The keynote speaker for the evening was U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Richard Wholey, Deputy Commanding General for the 263rd Army Air Missile Defense Command.

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. (Ret.) Gregory Brockberg, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery, tells the history of the unit.

During the event, the unit held a Non-Commissioned Officer Induction Ceremony. Melissa and Gregory Feser, parents of U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Feser, who passed away on Aug. 17, 2024, participated in the ceremony in his place.

The 188th Army Band provided live music for the evening.

Veterans Aid Loan

The Veterans Aid Fund is a permanent fund to be used solely for the purpose of making loans to assist veterans or their widow/widowers. Check out this website to learn more https://www.veterans.nd.gov/veterans-aid-loan

Santa Day Bismarck

The N.D. National Guard Service Member & Family Support hosted a Military Family Christmas event at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 5. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Over 200 children and families enjoyed indoor snowball fights, winter carnival games for prizes and more. The Century High school's 9th grade girl's basketball team volunteered to help during the event.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Fargo Christmas Party

New Primary Prevention Specialist

Ronald (Ron) Murray is an integrated primary prevention specialist with the North Dakota Army National Guard. (Story and photo courtesy of North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support)

A 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Ron served as an Airman, non-commissioned officer, and superintendent in the Chaplain Corps, where he excelled in providing counseling support, crisis management, and strategic oversight of chapel operations, including managing contracts, budgets, and assets.

Ron deployed four times to the Middle East (Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain), he contributed to three major military operations: Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Allied Refuge/Welcome. In 2015, he was selected for the Language Enabled Airman Program, enabling him to represent the Chaplain Corps as an expert in Filipino language and culture.

A proud Idaho native, Ron enlisted in the Air Force in 2004. Supported by his wife, Twinkle, and daughter, Bekah, he embraced the challenges of military life, completing five assignments across the globe, including Massachusetts, Ohio, Missouri, Greenland, and the United Kingdom. Now settled in North Dakota, Ron is honored to serve military members, their families, and N.D. Guard staff as part of the Prevention Team. He looks forward to fostering a supportive and resilient community within the National Guard family.

Operation Homefront

Chaplain Sarenpa Retires

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ryan Sarenpa, chaplain, was recognized for over 38 years of service during a retirement ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 7. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Benjamin Cleghorn, N.D. National Guard Army commander, presents Lt. Col. Ryan Sarenpa, chaplain, the State Meritorious Service Medal.

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