The North Dakota Army National Guard’s 131st Military Police Battalion conducted training and a Peacemaker Ride throughout North Dakota during their inactive-duty training on March 7-8. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Contents
- Military Education Builds North Dakota Guard, Benin Partnership
- SPP Guard Bureau Visit
- 131st Military Police Battalion Training and Peacemaker Ride
- Da Guards Podcast
- New Chief Warrant Officer 5
- ND 2000
- Professional Development
- Recognition
- The North Dakota Governor’s Challenge
- From the Field Campaign
- Employers Visit Aviation with ESGR
- Month of the Military Child
- Jr Squad Leader Training
Military Education Builds North Dakota Guard, Benin Partnership
For the first time, the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center’s Paul H. Lankford Enlisted Professional Military Education Center brought together two students from a unique international military partnership in the same Airman Leadership School class at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Tennessee. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photo by Master Sgt. Regina Young, I.G. Brown Training and Education Center)
Senior Airman Trace Olson from the North Dakota Air National Guard and Lt. Bertrand Zinsou from the Benin air force, Benin, West Africa — whose home country partners with North Dakota through the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program — gained leadership skills together in the intensive course, culminating in their graduation Feb. 20.
The SPP is a U.S. military initiative that builds long-term relationships between U.S. states and partner nations. It connects state National Guards with foreign militaries to strengthen security, share knowledge and develop leadership skills.
The SPP improves cooperation and understanding between countries through training exercises, leadership programs and military exchanges. While the program has allowed for cross-cultural exchanges in military training environments, this was the first-time students from an SPP attended ALS at the same time at the Lankford EPME Center.
SPP Guard Bureau Visit
Members of the National Guard Bureau International Affairs Division (NGB J5-I) visited the North Dakota Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) in Bismarck, North Dakota, on March 5-6. The group is traveling to states across the U.S. to identify challenges within the program and implement the most compelling aspects of security cooperation. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Bureau conducts assessments, monitoring, and evaluations to ensure teams maximize their efforts. The broader objective is to address the various elements involved in facilitating the partnership as effectively as possible.
Hazen Williams, authority coordinator for the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, emphasizes that the programs are vital because they provide a unique form of security cooperation that serves as an enduring touchpoint. Although teams are only in the country for a couple of days at a time, the reality is that if those teams are deployed repeatedly, they witness the development of interpersonal relationships. These relationships build on one another, creating broader touchpoints within the U.S. security cooperation enterprise.
The NDNG, with assistance from the U.S. Africa Command, has conducted,
Ghana – 108 military-to-military engagements, 23 Disaster Preparedness engagements, and 12 Exercises.
Benin - 46 military-to-military engagements and 14 Disaster Preparedness engagements and has trained 150 first responders.
Togo - 45 military-to-military engagements and 17 Disaster-preparedness Engagements.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, ND National Guard adjutant general, takes a group photo with the members of the NGB J5-I after a briefing at the Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D. March 2.
It's impressive to see how North Dakota's collaboration with Ghana, Benin, and Togo focuses specifically on the realities of those three countries, compared to what other states are pursuing in different parts of the world, said Williams. The SPP is such an effective program because it enables states to specialize in the nuances of their partner nations without being hindered by the pressures of a globally competitive environment.
Lt. Col. Jarrod Simek, State Partnership Program director, emphasized that state assistant visits (SAV) are a welcomed engagement and offer an opportunity to utilize the expertise OF the NGB International Affairs Division. This marks the first SAV for the State Partnership Program since its inception in 2004. These visits ensure that the NDNG State Partnership Program achieves its goals and objectives outlined in the NDNG SPP 5-year campaign support plan.
The group hopes to observe each state's best practices for every partnership and use staff visits to identify those best practices and then help promote them.
131st Military Police Battalion Training and Peacemaker Ride
The North Dakota Army National Guard’s 131st Military Police Battalion conducted training and a Peacemaker Ride throughout North Dakota during their inactive-duty training on March 7-8. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Soldiers engaged with community members during breaks at fuel stations and local restaurants. They were available for conversation, to address questions, and to allow people to explore their vehicles. This provided a valuable opportunity for locals to learn more about their training and the North Dakota Army National Guard.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast highlights the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tim Quintus
Let's meet retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tim Quintus! Quintus served in the military for 39 years, working with various airframes, including the AH-1 Cobra, AH64 Apache, and UH-60 Black Hawk. Listen in as he discusses his career flying!
New podcast episodes will be announced every other Monday.
New Chief Warrant Officer 5
Joint Force Headquarters hosted a promotion ceremony for Galen Roness, senior ordnance ground maintenance officer, at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, N.D., on March 7. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
ND 2000
Professional Development
Shirley Olgeirson, state historian, and Russell Larson, assistant historian, conducted this month's professional development, March 12, at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, N.D. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Olgeirson covered the history of the N.D. Guard and updated the force on the work behind the scenes for the future Military Gallery of the North Dakota State Museum. She also shared some artifacts that will be on display, including a helicopter bucket, a Bobcat excavator, and a bridge boat used during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The presentation also included a look at the possible new Dickinson Armory mural.
Larson discussed their work on the North Dakota Medal of Honor project. They uncovered North Dakota military members nominated for America's highest honor but never received their medals because they had passed away before being awarded. The most recent individual to be honored was Pvt. James McIntyre of Company B, 1st North Dakota Infantry Volunteers.
Please celebrate National Medal of Honor Day, held annually every March 25.
Recognition
Adjutant General Coin
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, recognized two members of the North Dakota Guard Historian office following a recent professional development class at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, North Dakota, on March 12. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
State Command Sergeant Major Coin
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, state command sergeant major, recognized Staff Sgt. Eric Gustafson, Field Maintenace Shop 4, after a recent professional development class at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, N.D., on March 12. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The North Dakota Governor’s Challenge
The Governor’s Challenge is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the State of North Dakota. It aims to unite community leaders and state agencies to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and their families.
On April 23, the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, ND, will host a free professional development event for providers serving veterans.
From the Field Campaign
3662nd Support Maintenance Company
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tara Hiller and Spc. Vincent Storing of the 3662nd Support Maintenance Company participated in the 131st Military Police Battalion’s Peacemaker Ride in Devils Lake and Rugby, North Dakota, on March 8. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Capt. Rhea Goulet, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company)
During the ride, they visited six local spots to build relationships, including popular community locations and small businesses. Throughout the day, Hiller and Storing engaged with 18 individuals, ranging from children to elderly adults, fostering goodwill and strengthening the bond between the military and residents. The Peacemaker Ride allowed the Soldiers to interact with the communities they serve, cultivating trust and cooperation between the Army and local citizens and reinforcing our commitment to supporting and engaging with communities across North Dakota.
Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion
Ten Soldiers from the Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion, took on the grueling Taji 100 challenge. Participants must run, jog, walk, or hike 100 miles over 28 days in February. The event was initially launched at Camp Taji, Iraq, to honor service members and promote fitness, and it continues to inspire participants worldwide. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Sogge, Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
Breaking a School Record
Spc. Karly Just, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion, set a school record in the 3000-meter race at the NAIA Indoor National Championship in Gainesville, Fla. on Feb. 28. (Information and photo submitted by Staff Sgt. Yajuamungu Kiromba, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
Employers Visit Aviation with ESGR
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) arranged for employers to participate in an installation tour, a retirement ceremony, and a helicopter flight at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck on Feb. 21. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Rob Keller, Vice-Chair of North Dakota ESGR, welcomes employers before a tour.
Employers in attendance were the City of Williston Fire Department, BNSF Railway, BNI Coal, Minot Public Schools, Optimum Therapies, Rydell Auto and UPS.
“ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws,” said Keller
Employers take a group photo in front of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flight.
Month of the Military Child
The Month of the Military Child Proclamation Day at the Capitol is on April 4. If you would like to attend the celebration of our military children and wear purple, please register below to show your support.
Jr Squad Leader Training
Would you like to help with Fishing and/or Adventure Camp this summer? If you are 16 to 17, sign up for JR Squad Leader Training at Jamestown Armory on April 5. Spots are limited, so register today.
If you have any questions, please email at randy.j.mangum.ctr@army.mil or megan.r.leach3.ctr@army.mil
Get the TAG Line by Email
Click to receive an email whenever a new TAG Line is published.