From left, Pfc. Michael Widmer holds the colors of the 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion as Lt. Col. Nathan Dicks, commander, 131st Military Police (MP) Battalion, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Wesson, command sergeant major for the 131st MP Battalion, furl the flag during a casing of the colors ceremony, Camp Grafton Training Center, September 18, 2021. (National Guard photo by Jonathan Haugen, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
136th Battalion colors RETIRED MP BATTALION ACTIVATED
North Dakota National Guard Soldiers witnessed a casing of the colors ceremony for the 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), previously designated as the 136th Quartermaster Battalion, at the Camp Grafton Training Center, September 18, 2021. Afterward, the 131st Military Police Battalion was activated. (National Guard story by Maj. Jay Sheldon, 131st Military Police Battalion)
These ceremonies are an important tradition observed by the U.S. Army when deactivating and activating units. Each Army units have unique flags or guidons referred to as "colors" which are present at formal military ceremonies and events.
During a "casing of the colors" ceremony, the retiring unit's history and linage is read aloud to the formation. Afterward, the senior non-commissioned officer of the unit removes the colors from the color bearer's sling, the deactivation order is read and the colors are presented to the unit commander. The unit's command team then furls the colors and places them into a protective sheath for a final time.
After the retirement of the 136th CSSB, the 131st Military Police (MP) Battalion was officially activated. The battalion, headquartered in Bismarck, provides command and control for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 191st MP Company, 816th MP Company, and the 3662nd Service Maintenance Company.
Soldiers assigned to the 131st Military Police Battalion stand at attention during the casing of the colors ceremony for the 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Camp Grafton Training Center, September 18, 2021. (National Guard photos by Jonathan Haugen, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
From left, Pfc. Michael Widmer, 131st Military Police (MP) Battalion, Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Wesson, command sergeant major, 131st MP Battalion, and Lt. Col. Nathan Dicks, commander, 131st MP Battalion, march toward the 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion colors during a casing of the colors ceremony, Camp Grafton Training Center, September 18, 2021. (National Guard photos by Jonathan Haugen, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
When the 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion was designated as the 136th Quartermaster Battalion, they were mobilized for Operation Desert Storm from November 1990 to May 1991 where they produced, transported and stored potable water for Coalition forces. In 1993, the battalion supported Task Force Rushmore in Panama and served in many other locations overseas during various exercises. The unit was reorganized as the 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB) in September 2008. The unit was activated for state active duty in 2011 during state-wide flooding and performed its last overseas mission in Afghanistan, January to November 2017, where they served under the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division. The 131st Military Police Battalion is the first of its kind in the N.D. Army National Guard. A video of this ceremony is available at the N.D. National Guard's website.
Engineer training with partners
North Dakota National Guard Soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Chad Shockman and Staff Sgt. Brent Mittleider, 164th Regional Training Institute (164th RTI), Camp Grafton Training Center, trained with our Ghanaian partners at Bundase Training Camp (BTC), Ghana, September 13 to 17, 2021. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Shockman, 164th Regional Training Institute)
These N.D. National Guard Soldiers serve as instructors for combat engineer subjects at the 164th RTI and are working in Ghana under the National Guard State Partnership Program. Under this program, the N.D. National Guard is partnered with the West African nations of Ghana, Togo and Benin.
Ghanaian combat engineers created an improvised Bangalore torpedo (an explosive charge placed within tubes used to breach obstacles) from natural materials, Bundase Training Camp, Ghana, September 16, 2021. These improvised Bangalores are made with wooden bamboo poles filled with plastic explosives. Holding the Bangalore are from left, N.D. National Guard Soldiers Maj. Jarrod Simek, Staff Sgt. Brent Mittleider, and Sgt. 1st Class Chad Shockman, along with Ghanaian Army engineer instructors. (Courtesy photo U.S. Embassy, Accra)
Ghanaian combat engineers create an improvised Bangalore torpedo from bamboo poles and plastic explosives (an explosive charge placed within tubes used to breach obstacles) from natural materials, Bundase Training Camp, Ghana, September 16, 2021. N.D. National Guard Soldiers (U.S. Army uniforms) from left, Staff Sgt. Brent Mittleider and Sgt. 1st Class Chad Shockman, holding the Bangalore, both of the N.D. National Guard 164th Regional Training Institute, along with Ghanaian Army engineer instructors. (National Guard photos by Maj. Jarrod Simek, N.D. National Guard's bilateral affairs officer stationed in Ghana)
North Dakota Engineers Assume CENTCOM Construction mission
The North Dakota National Guard's 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment (EUD) conducted a Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony with the 616th Engineer Detachment, Illinois Army National Guard, September 22, 2021. This ceremony symbolized the successful completion of the 616th Engineers' mission and the beginning of the 835th EUD's mission. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Christian Clark, 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment)
Over the past 10 months, the 616th Engineer Detachment has provided construction engineer support to military operations in six countries, supporting Task Force Black Diamond, Task Force Spartan, in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations. The 835th EUD is attached to 527th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Riviére Rouge, and the 111th Theater Engineer Brigade, Task Force Black Diamond, and provides theater-level engineer support to Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve. The 835th EUD assumed control of construction projects at various stages of completion in four countries.
Colonel Robert Kincaid, 111th Theater Engineer Brigade Commander, commends the 616th Engineer Utilities Detachment on their accomplishments and welcomes the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment as they assume control of their mission during a Transfer of Authority ceremony, September 22, 2021.
The command team of the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment, Captain Justin Johnson and Sgt. 1st Class Charles Holzer, exchange salutes during the Transfer of Authority Ceremony, signifying that their unit has assumed the theater construction support mission, U.S. Central Command area of operations, September 22, 2021.
“The 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment (EUD) has trained for this mission for over a year and brings with them a wide array of both military and civilian engineer experience. We are ready to embrace the 527th Engineer Battalion motto of “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” and continue providing expert engineers across U.S. Army Central," said Capt. Justin Johnson, 835th EUD, commander.
First 835th Engineer Mission
Soldiers of the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment wasted no time getting to work after they assumed responsibility for construction activities in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Christian Clark, 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment)
Hooligans Support Operation Afghan Refuge
Fourteen members of the North Dakota Air National Guard, nicknamed the Happy Hooligans, are currently serving on title 10 orders with Task Force Liberty in support of U.S. Northern Command's Operation Allies Refuge (OAR) and Operations Allies Welcome (OAW). Three are serving at Fort McCoy-Volk Field, Wisconsin, and eleven are deployed to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL), New Jersey. (National Guard story by Chief Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The Department of Homeland Security's OAW provides temporary housing and support for Afghan evacuees at numerous military installations. The Afghan evacuation guests are staying in temporary villages as they are in-processed into the United States for relocation. There, they undergo Department of Homeland Security screening and receive medical care. Necessities are provided largely through donations.
The Happy Hooligan Airmen perform various support tasks, including command support staff, security forces checkpoints, ground transportation of Afghan guests to medical appointments, and clothing issue. Task Force Liberty military members also mission finance and other operational tasks. “They [Afghan guests] are all very respectful, very nice. The kids are always really happy to see us, military members. They want to fist bump with us. They kind of look at us like Supermen,” said Senior Airman Josh Carlson, 119th Wing.
The deployed unit members work 12-hour days, six days a week, and many have volunteered to continue their support until the mission is complete. Carlson paused his college classes for the semester to volunteer for the activation. He hopes to extend his time supporting the mission alongside other Hooligan Airmen that might support Task Force Liberty in the future.
The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for up to 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan.
MEB Occupies New Readiness Center
After the long-awaited completion and dedication last month of the North Dakota National Guard Readiness Center, in Fargo, the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) finally were able to move into their new home during their IDT (inactive duty training) weekend, September 17 to 19, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Public Affairs non-commissioned officer in charge)
Soldiers were administered the BinaxNOW at the start of the busy weekend to ensure COVID mitigation.
Among their first training events, 141st MEB Soldiers trained on the Virtual Battle Space (VBS3) simulator, a three-dimensional battlefield simulation system that facilitates training events in various scenarios. Groups trained virtually on convoy operations. This virtual training led to hands-on convoy operations training, strategically moving the unit’s vehicles to the new storage facility.
Soldiers of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade train for convoy operations on the Virtual Battle System (VBS3) during IDT (inactive duty training) drill at the Readiness Center, Fargo, N.D. September 19, 2021.
Sergeant Ronny Parayno Jr., 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, checks the oil level in his vehicle during PMCS (preventive maintenance checks and services) before convoy operations training. during IDT (inactive duty training) at the Readiness Center, Fargo, N.D. September 19, 2021.
Specialist Cauy Ellingson, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, performs signal checks before convoy operations training. during IDT (inactive duty training) at the Readiness Center, Fargo, N.D. September 19, 2021.
Select Soldiers completed the soldier readiness process (records check and update) with the Brigade's S-1 team. The facility’s kitchen was set up, and the Current Operations Integration Cell (COIC) and War Room started to come together. For 141st MEB, it was a very successful first weekend in the new facility.
Golden Eagle Award
Brigadier General Jackie Huber, N.D. National Guard deputy adjutant general, helped present the Golden Eagle Award to Gate City Bank at the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber - EDC's Celebrate Bismarck-Mandan 2021 event, September 22, 2021, at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck. The Golden Eagle Award is given to a Chamber business that demonstrates exceptional support to the military in day-to-day operations or special events. (National Guard story and photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Officer Candidate Michael Becker, N.D. Army National Guard, and an employee of Gate City Bank, expresses his gratitude for their support at Bismarck-Mandan Chamber's Celebrate Bismarck-Mandan 2021 event, Bismarck, September 22, 2021.
MEB awards and promotions
The 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) conducted a promotion and awards ceremony to recognize their outstanding Soldiers, September 18, 2021, at the North Dakota National Guard Readiness Center, in Fargo, N.D. Three Soldiers were promoted and five Soldiers received various awards. (National Guard photos and story by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Public Affairs NCOIC)
The first promotion was Aaron Oschner of Fargo, N.D., an administrative assistant in the unit, promoted to the rank of specialist. The second was Rowan Horswill of Williston, N.D., a military police Soldier (MP) in the unit, promoted to the rank of sergeant. Finally, Cody Schoonover of Bismarck, N.D., also an MP, was promoted to the rank of sergeant first class.
Additionally, the unit recognized some of its outstanding Soldiers with various awards. Sgt. 1st Class Brent Noonan was recognized with a Certificate of Achievement for his assistance during the 2022 Best Warrior Competition. Cadet Connor Crago was awarded the North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting Ribbon for a successful lead to enlistment. Sgt. Thomas Kane was awarded the State Achievement Ribbon for supporting the unit above and beyond his grade. Staff Sgt. Kerry Thompson was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for her Combat Lifesaver Support instruction to the 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. Finally, Sgt. 1st Class Laura Balliet was awarded The Army Achievement Medal for earning Distinguished Honor Graduate and Commandant’s List while attending Master Leader Course.
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