The 119th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters practice suppressing aircraft fires at the mock aircraft burn pit at the N.D. Air National Guard Regional Training Site, Fargo, N.D., June 2, 2022. (National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Than Baardson, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Wing conducts ACTIVE SHOOTER EXERCISE
The Happy Hooligans of the 119th Wing conducted a joint active shooter exercise at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., June 3, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Airman Brody Katka, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
The purpose of the exercise was to foster Airmen readiness and to develop and refine partnerships with local civilian emergency responders. The exercise included three shooters, several victim actors, and a response team consisting of base security forces partnering with the Fargo Police Department, Fargo Fire Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and Sanford Ambulance EMTs.
“The active shooter, and other emergency management exercises, give us the opportunity to put our training into action,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Gaeu, 119th Wing inspector general. “We are able to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement all across the wing.”
Chaplain (Capt.) Philip Nelson, 119th Wing, performs Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on a mannequin during a unit training exercise simulating a unit member's heart attack as other unit members assist and observe at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., June 2, 2022. (National Guard photos by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Lasting about two and a half hours, the exercise began with a simulated briefing at the base dining facility, when actors portraying active shooters began firing upon the unsuspecting audience.
Staff Sgt. Jarrod Geyer, 119th Security Forces Squadron, standing, plays the role of a shooter during an active shooter training exercise at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., June 3, 2022.
119th Security Forces defenders were the first on the scene, quickly neutralizing the threats and clearing the rest of the facility of other possible aggressors. They were quickly joined by Fargo Police and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office who cleared additional buildings and assisting in securing the area around the initial attack.
Tech. Sgt. Christina Burkhart, 119th Operations Support Squadron, places a first aid dressing on a simulated wound on the wrist of Senior Master Sgt. Katherine Robbins, 119th Medical Group, during an active shooter training exercise at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., June 3, 2022.
Fargo Fire Department and EMT personnel provided medical triage for the simulated victims, and further evacuated those marked as uninjured.
The 119th Wing Inspector General (IG) office used the exercise as an opportunity to test some new, real-time observation collection methods, developed by Maj. Shaun Carlson, 119th Wing process improvement manager. These new methods allowed quicker information gathering which in turn improved the timeliness of feedback for exercise participants.
“The goal of this method is to provide same-day feedback to Wing leadership and Wing members,” said Maj. Shaun Carlson, 119th Wing process improvement manager. “This yields an opportunity for immediate education and corrective action while the exercise is still fresh in everyone’s minds. Real-time data is the best opportunity for rapid and continuous improvement.”
Lt. Col. Kevin Gaeu, 119th Wing inspector general, discusses aspects of the active shooter training scenario with a Sanford Hospital paramedic following a joint agency exercise at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., June 3, 2022.
Capt. Kristopher Jacobs, 119th Security Forces Squadron commander, discusses the joint agency active shooter training exercise with civilian agency participants at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., June 3, 2022. The Sanford Ambulance, Fargo Police Department, Fargo Fire Department, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.
Overall, the exercise was a successful display of the emergency response capabilities of the 119th Wing and helped prepare the Happy Hooligans for similar hazardous situations that could arise in the future.
Brigade-Level Annual Training
The 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) and subordinate units conducted their first-ever, brigade-level annual training, Camp Ripley, Minnesota, June 1, 2022. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
This year’s annual training is a 14-day field operation known as Dawn of Cain. For over two years, the 141st MEB and its subordinate units have been planning and training to ensure that every echelon knew their roles in the execution of the operation. Training events like Dawn of Cain provides the brigade the opportunity to see the full extent of its capabilities in a simulated combat environment.
Soldiers of the 816th Military Police Company work together to complete an obstacle on the Leaders Reaction Course, June 6, 2022, at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
The battalions subordinate to the 141st MEB participating in Dawn of Cain included the 131st Military Police Battalion, 142nd Engineer Battalion, and the 164th Engineer Battalion. Across the battalions, there are 17 companies, with over 1,000 Soldiers. Approximately 6,500 pieces of equipment employed during the operation.
Capt. Eric Moen, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), tracks movement of incoming units to the training area, Camp Ripley, Minnesota, June 3, 2022. (National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st MEB)
Sgt. Taylor Lagro, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company, in the driver hatch of an M1 Abrams tank, assists in track maintenance while cross-training at the Central Maintenance Facility, Camp Ripley, June 7, 2022. Lagro was moving the track for another mechanic outside the vehicle. (National Guard photos by Sgt. Andrew Sand, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company)
Spc. Jamie Hurt, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company, uses an air arc to repair a bucket at the Central Maintenance Facility, Camp Ripley, Minnesota, June 8, 2022.
Pfc. Dustin Bentley, right, teaches Spc. Maryjoy Limpot, both of the 164th Engineer Battalion, how to load frequency in a SINGARS radio inside a M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, Camp Ripley, Minnesota, Jun. 7, 2022. (National Guard photos by Kara Graeber, 164th Engineer Battalion)
Soldiers of the 142nd Engineer Battalion prepare for a safety briefing prior to range fire at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, June 8, 2022. (National Guard photos by Spc. Alberto Samura, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
The 815th Engineer Company practiced their wartime missions of vertical (buildings) and horizontal (earthwork) construction operations during this training period. The unit tackled projects at Camp Riley which provided excellent training while simultaneously benefiting the installation.
A 815th Engineer Company John Deere M120 grader equipped with a yellow GPS ERAC (enhanced rapid airfield construction capability) grades a road during a demolitions range improvement project at the Camp Ripley Minnesota, June 7, 2022. (National Guard photos by 1st Lt. Aric Dvorak, 815th Engineer Company)
The 815th Engineer Company equipment works on a demolition range improvement project, Camp Ripley, Minnesota, June 7, 2022. (National Guard photos by 1st Lt. Aric Dvorak, 815th Engineer Company)
Capt. Jared Huibregtse, 142nd Forward Support Company, conducts command post operations, Camp Ripley, Minnesota, June 7, 2022. (National Guard photo by Spc. Kathleen Barmoen, 142nd Forward Support Company)
This training is in preparation of exercise Warfighter 23-02, November 2022. Warfighter is a capstone training event that will evaluate the brigade’s operational capabilities in supporting corps and division-level operations.
Engineers improve ACFT AREA
Soldiers from the 957th Engineer Company are improving the ground near their motor pool for an Army Company Fitness Test (ACFT) area, Bismarck, June 8, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
This area, located across the street and south of the Raymond J. Bohn armory, is approximately 130 feet square and will be cleared and grubbed in order to provide Soldiers a level area to conduct some of the ACFT's events like the Sprint-Drag-Carry and the Standing Power Throw.
The area will have about three inches of top soil added before grass seeding this fall. The area is expected to be placed in service spring 2023.
Air Fire Fighter Training
The 119th Civil Engineer Squadron fire fighters trained on extinguishing aircraft fires at a mock aircraft burn pit located at the N.D. Air National Guard Regional Training Site, Fargo, N.D., June 2, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Tech Sgt. Than Baardson, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Advance your future event
State staff and members of the N.D. Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion conducted an Advance Your Future event with 125 soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company, from May 24 to 26, 2020, Texas. (National Guard story and photos by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rich Bohl, N.D. National Guard Education Services Officer)
The purpose was to inform Soldiers of retention, education, and retirement benefits earned while mobilized in a federal status. The group met with the Soldiers in three locations in Texas, Uvalde, Eagle Pass, and Del Rio.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Richard Blumler, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, briefed Soldiers on career opportunities at Eagle Pass, Texas, May 25, 2022.
191st MP prepare for mobilization
The 191st Military Police (MP) Company participated in a Soldier Readiness Program (SRB) event at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, June 4, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Capt. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
The 191st MP Company is scheduled to be mobilized for duty in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of operations late summer 2022.
Sgt. Heather Call, dental technician, and Maj. Monty Bulzomi, DDS, conduct dental exams to ensure the Soldiers meet health mobilization standards, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, June 4, 2022.
The Soldier Readiness Program (SRP) prepares, validates and reports individual Soldier and unit readiness for deployment to the unit commander.
Sgt. Kylie Ktytor, health care administrator, digitizes medical charts and reviews Soldier's blood type, immunization records, vitals, and medical providers notes to ensure Soldier is medically qualified for mobilization at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, June 4, 2022.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Richard Bohl, N.D. National Guard education service officer, reviews a Soldier’s individual education plan at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, June 4, 2022. Education plans help Soldiers define their intents to start or continue their education goals while on deployment or upon their return
Another component of Soldier preparedness for mobilization is a mandatory public information brief provided by the N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office.
The briefing provides guidance on how to interact with media and how to manage unit and personal social media accounts during deployment.
Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard public information officer, briefs the 191st Military Police Company on social media management, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, June 3.
The SRP process validates the Soldiers' readiness in a myriad of areas to include medical, administrative and legal. Each Soldier's preparedness is consolidated in a Deployment Packet which becomes the official file in place of the Soldier’s permanent record upon deployment.
Professional Development
The N.D. National Guard conducted professional development for its full-time staff at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, June 8, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Fran Roerick, U.S. United States Property and Fiscal Office comptroller for North Dakota, provided an overview of her team's fiscal responsibilities in support of the N.D. National Guard. She began by introducing her team members, who oversee Guardsman and technician pay, travel, unit purchases and more. The USPFO receives and accounts for all Federal funds and U.S. property in the possession of the state National Guards ensuring that Federal funds are obligated and expended in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
Fran Roerick, U.S. United States Property and Fiscal Office comptroller for North Dakota, briefs during professional development, Raymond J. Bohn armory, June 8, 2022.
Roerick and later Col. Paul Harron, U.S. United States Property and Fiscal Officer, praised the financial staff for their constant commendable ratings from the 1st U.S. Army Inspector General, who conducts annual inspections and routine audits. The N.D. crew is continually recognized among the best money managers in the National Guard.
Vietnam Veteran Visit
Vietnam War Veteran and retired Happy Hooligan Senior Master Sgt. Curt Knutson spoke to the current 119th Force Support Squadron unit members during their June unit training assembly commander’s call at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, North Dakota, June 4, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Knutson served in the U.S. Army's 46th Engineer Battalion as a Specialist 5 from 1969 to 1970. He was the last Vietnam War Veteran serving in the 119th Wing when he retired from the Happy Hooligans in 2009. Mattson invited Knutson to speak about his experiences in Vietnam and to demonstrate appreciation for his service. His visit also renewed a connection with current unit members as a retired Happy Hooligan significant contributor.
Capt. Heather Mattson, the 119th Force Support Squadron (FSS) commander, looks on as retired Happy Hooligan Senior Master Sgt. Curt Knutson, a Vietnam War Veteran, speaks to current 119th FSS unit members during June unit training assembly commander’s call at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, June 4, 2022.
20 years of service
Senior Master Sgt. Luke Gardiner was honored at a retirement ceremony held at the Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, June 4, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Gardiner served in the 119th Wing and 219th Security Forces Squadron at the Minot Air Force Base and in his final duty assignment in N.D. Joint Force Headquarters.
New Recruit Recognition
N.D. National Guard's Pvt. Dante Domine was recognized at the 6th annual Governor's Summit on Innovative Education, Bismarck, June 9, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Tyler Wall, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion).
Domine was awarded the 2022 Innovative Student Leadership in Excellence Award. The summit inspires innovation and reimagines learning in schools across North Dakota and recognize students, educators, schools and districts who lead by example.
Domine, a recent Dickinson High School graduate and valedictorian of his class, was involved with student council for four years, and was president of his class. During this time, he focused on policies engaging the student body on mental health concerns, different community programs, being active and engaged, all while striving to create a positive learning environment for everyone. He enlisted as a Army Combat Medic and will be assigned to the 164th Engineer Battalion.
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