Spc. Alberto Sumara, 142nd Engineer Battalion, conducts tactical training under the cover of smoke, June 13, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photo by Pvt. Mace Yellow, 142st Engineer Battalion)
141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
The 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) and its subordinate units executed a 14-day field operation known as Dawn of Cain beginning on June 1, 2022. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
The operation allowed the brigade to task down-trace battalions and companies, through real-world training and notional scenarios, exercising assets in preparation for WarFighter 23-02. WarFighter will take place in November 2022, where the brigade will be evaluated on its capabilities to support Division and Corps level assets.
164th Engineer Battalion
The 164th Engineer Battalion and its subordinate units conducted field training exercises at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, during Operation Dawn of Cain. (National Guard story by Spc. Kara Graeber, 164th Engineer Battalion)
Training included tactical convoys, land navigation, rappelling, integrating smoke grenade tactics into combat operations, detainment protocols and procedures, sand table battle plans, blue force tracker system functions, and driving training with night vision goggles. Soldiers trained on several weapon systems to include the Mark 19 grenade launcher, M2 .50 caliber machine gun and the M240 machine gun. Combat medic training included medical simulations and IV training.
Maj. Christopher Raisl, 164th Engineer Battalion, renders the opening battle update brief to the commander and staff, June 11, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photos by Spc. Kara Graeber, 164th Engineer Battalion)
Sgt. Sierra Bosch, left, and Spc. Tylera Scott, 164th Engineer Battalion, participate in land navigation training, June 9, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photo by Spc. Kara Graeber, 164th Engineer Battalion)
Capt. Joshua Seil, 164th Engineer Battalion, practices intubating procedures on a medical simulation trainer, June 8, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photo by Spc. Areana Gonzales, 164th Engineer Battalion)
164th Engineer Battalion Soldiers conduct tactical smoke grenade training, June 12, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photo by Spc. Kara Graeber, 164th Engineer Battalion)
Forward Support Company, 164th Engineer Battalion
Forward Support Company, 164th Engineer Battalion, participated in Operation Dawn of Cain by conducting mess operations, crew served weapons training, and generator operations training. (National Guard story by Staff Sgt. Logan Tandsater, Forward Support Company, 164th Engineer Battalion)
Soldiers of the Distribution Platoon, Forward Support Company, 164th Engineer Battalion, receive operator training and diagnostics course from Spc. Timothy Anderson on the 15Kw Tactical Quiet Generator, June 3, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photos by 2nd Lt. Trae Turcotte-Creager)
From left, Spc. Michaela Nelson, Spc. Shane Opp, and Sgt. Walter Lacy, Field Feeding Section, Forward Support Company, 164th Engineer Battalion, prepare chicken wings for dinner for the Soldiers of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, June 8, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Logan Tandsater, Forward Support Company, 164th Engineer Battalion)
957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge)
The 957th Engineer Company participated in Operation Dawn of Cain at both Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC), near Devils Lake, N.D., and in Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
The company trained on bridging operations at CGTC, and practiced their equipment skills by demolishing a condemned house at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., June 10, 2022.
The house, built in the 1920's and deemed a single-family home, has not been used in many years. Condemned a few years ago, Guard officials decided to let Soldiers demolish it for training. The former quarters was placed on a list of potential engineering projects for tactical unit training consideration.
The N.D. National Guard's Directorate of Engineering and Facilities worked with the city of Bismarck to receive the authorization to demolish the structure. The area will be planted with grass after all of the debris is removed.
An Soldier assigned the 957th Engineer Company, uses a John Deere 240D Hydraulic Excavator to demolish a condemned house at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D. June 10, 2022.
957th Engineer Company Soldiers also conducted bridging operations at Lake Coe, Camp Grafton South, June 9, 2022.
817th Engineer Company
The 817th Engineer Company supported the battalion and other subordinate units during the brigade's operation at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, during Operation Dawn of Cain. The unit's Sappers trained on combat engineer operations. (National Guard story by Spc. Alberto Sumara, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
Staff Sgt. Joe Pikarski, far left, instructs Soldiers of the 817th Engineer Company's 2nd Platoon on constructing an 11-row, concertina wire road obstacle, June 11, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photo by Sgt. Deyton Slama)
142nd Engineer Battalion
The 142nd Engineer Battalion and its subordinate units conducted a series of military exercises at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, during Operation Dawn of Cain. Purpose was to maintain readiness and improve the skills of its Soldiers. (National Guard story and photos by Spc. Alberto Sumara, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
Sgt. 1st Class Rachelle Barendt Klein diplays the 142nd Engineer Battalion colors during tactical operations training, Camp Ripley, Minnesota, June 13, 2022.
Operations included:
- Conducting road convoys to and from Camp Ripley.
- Establishing and maintaining a command post.
- Developing radio telecommunications.
- Recording the battalion's supply systems.
- Battlefield overwatch and communication.
- Conducting a night vision navigation course.
- Exercises with heavy demolition equipment systems.
- Range operations for qualification with the M4 carbine and the M240 machine gun.
- Operational range exercises with heavy-machine gunnery weapon systems.
- Forward support unit to guarantee ground superiority and proper battlefield maintenance.
- Constructing mission-capable building units to ensure proper geographical location security.
- Preparing and serving meals in a field environment.
The 142nd Engineering Battalion conducted range operations at Camp Ripley on multiple weapon systems, June 10, 2022.
Soldiers of the 142nd Engineering Battalion prepare to fire their weapons at the range at Camp Ripley to qualify for their weapon systems, June 10, 2022.
Soldiers with the 142nd Engineer Battalion train with tactical smoke employment to aid concealment, June 13, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota.
Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion
The Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion supported the battalion and other subordinate units during the brigade's operation Operation Dawn of Cain. The company trained with dynamic, real-world and notional missions, including tactical mess operation, fueling operations, water distribution, vehicle recovery and field maintenance. (National Guard story by Spc. Alberto Sumara, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
Soldiers of the 815th Engineer Company, 817th Engineer Company, and the Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion train on recovering an overturned M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, June 11, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photos by Kathleen Barmoen, Forward Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
815th Engineer Company
The 815th Engineer Company conducted a myriad of engineer missions during their Annual Training. Operations included maintenance of field operating vehicles, construction buildings, towers, huts, as well as training in a variety of vertical and horizontal construction missions. (National Guard story by Spc. Alberto Sumara, 142nd Engineer Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company)
Soldiers of the 815th Engineer Company familiarize themselves with their equipment, June 9, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard photos by 1st Lt. Aric Dvorak, 815th Engineer Company)
188th Engineer Company
The 188th Engineer Company completed a series of construction projects to improve Camp Ripley, Minnesota, during brigade-level annual training at Operation Dawn of Cain. (National Guard story and photos by 2nd Lt. Taylor Nein, 188th Engineer Company)
Projects included clearing and grubbing trees from a 13-acre area, a site for a future quarry. The 188th Engineers, with assistance from the 815th Engineer Company, the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment, and the 897th Engineer Team (Concrete), upgraded a latrine/bath house at Camp Ripley, and bleacher enclosures at Camp Ripley.
The 13-acre quarry pit in the Cody training area, Camp Ripley, Minnesota, recently cleared by the 188th Engineer Company, June 12, 2022. The Soldiers grubbed trees and removed topsoil to complete the project.
From left, Spc. Nicholas Pedersen, Staff Sgt. Jacob Dykema, and Spc. Leonel Sama of the 188th Engineer Company, spread and screed concrete on a 14’ x 60’ pad, June 10, 2022, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. Before the pour, the Soldiers removed the topsoil, hauled in backfill material, compacted the base, set the concrete forms and placed the rebar. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ross Brumley)
188th Engineer Company Soldiers install new copper pipes in a latrine at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, June 10, 2022. The Soldiers also installed new electrical wiring, receptacles, and fixtures, shower partitions and constructed new partitions around the water closets. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Ehlers, 188th Engineer Company)
131st Military Police Battalion
The 131st Military Police (MP) Battalion and its subordinate units participated in Operation Dawn of Cain. The Soldiers used this opportunity to test skills and allow for the command teams and staff, at all levels, to have an assessment of individual and combined unit capabilities. (National Guard story by Maj. Moranda Iverson, executive officer, 131st Military Police Battalion)
The 131st MPs executed command and control operations, battle drill rehearsals, base defense plan, and established a TOC (Tactical Operations Center) with new A-frame tents. All units also integrated new equipment, to include the M17 pistols (replacement for M9 Bretta), and conducted range operations.
191st Military Police Company
The 191st Military Police Company contributed to the 131st Military Police Battalion's operational success during Operation Dawn of Cain by conducting Army warrior tasks, platoon training, and customs law enforcement training. (National Guard story by Maj. Moranda Iverson, executive officer, 131st Military Police Battalion)
The unit trained in preparation of their upcoming mobilization later this year.
816th Military Police Company
The 816th Military Police Company set up and conducted detainee operations, integrated newly fielded equipment to include the Mine-Resistant-Ambush-Protected (MRAP) - All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), and familiarized the operators with night driving as part of Operation Dawn of Cain, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. (National Guard story by Maj. Moranda Iverson, executive officer, 131st Military Police Battalion)
3662nd Support Maintenance Company
The 3662nd Support Maintenance Company conducted maintenance operations during Operation Dawn of Cain, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. The unit exceeded the goal of 1,500 direct maintenance hours by reaching an overall total of over 1,720 hours. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Slama, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company)
The 3662nd Support Maintenance Company is comprised of a diverse range of military specialty occupations, ranging from wheeled vehicle and generator mechanics to small arms/artillery repair, allied trades, and electronics equipment repair.
By assisting the Minnesota National Guard, units the 3662nd Soldiers had the opportunity to repair equipment not available in N.D. units.
Hooligans Engineers Train in Japan
The 119th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) traveled to Japan to participate in a deployment for training (DFT) at Yokota Air Force Base’s Tama Hills Recreation Area from May 1-June 9, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Master Sergeant Michael L. Knodle, 119th Wing)
As part of the DFT, the Happy Hooligan engineers assisted in the renovation of a dining hall and a shower building, and accomplish career field training. The Hooligans poured concrete, framed walls and replaced roofing on the recreation area buildings that were constructed in 1938. The mission included members from several Civil Engineer Squadron career fields as well as members from other areas of the Mission Support Group to help complete the project for the Yokota Air Force Base Civil Engineers.
119th Wing Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) Staff Sergeant Isaac Goedtke cuts panel wire for the concrete pad of a shower building renovation at Tama Hills Recreation Area, Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, May 27, 2022.
A 119th Wing Civil Engineering Squadron Airman operates a concrete power screed as part of a shower building renovation at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, May 31, 2022.
A 119th Wing Civil Engineering Squadron Airman operates a concrete finishing float on a pad as part of a shower building renovation at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, June 2, 2022.
The DFT is a National Guard Bureau program and matches Air National Guard Civil Engineer units with construction projects that support active duty units.
“The DFT program is really beneficial to both active duty units and Air Guard units because the host unit gets assistance with projects while the Air Guard unit receives training which improves their readiness for deployment,” said 1st Lt. Aaron Schuldt, 119th Deputy Base Civil Engineer.
Airman First Class Jeffrey Boudreau, 119th Wing Civil Engineering Squadron, employes a sawzall to cut a window opening as part of a dining hall renovation at Tama Hills Recreation Area of Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, May 31, 2022.
Airman First Class Bailey Adams, 119th Wing Civil Engineering Squadron cuts lumber during renovation of a dining hall at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, May 26, 2022.
In addition to the building renovations, 119th CES firefighters accomplished valuable training including live fire structural burns and vehicle extrication training while the 119th Emergency Management personnel trained with the active duty Air Force on the base.
Staff Sgt. Colleen Erickson, 119th Wing Firefighter, commented, “DFT’s are an invaluable experience - to travel to and train in Japan has definitely been a highlight of my Air Guard career.”
In all, 66 Happy Hooligan Airmen working in two rotations participated in the training in Japan.
Defending the NCR
For nearly a year, the mobilized Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th ADA), have been supporting Operation Noble Eagle, monitoring and defending the airspace of the National Capital Region (NCR), in Washington D.C. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Brandon Hietala, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment)
In May 2021, during Exercise America Shield at Camp Grafton Training Center, N.D., the 1-188th ADA were assessed by the 1st Battalion, 362nd Air Defense Artillery Training Support Battalion (TSBN) out of Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The TSBN is an outside source that certifies that the unit is qualified for their mobilization.
Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery prepare their equipment for mobilization to the National Capital Region at Camp Grafton Training Center, May 12, 2021.
The Soldiers of the 188th ADA were able to highlight their skills proving they were proficient and capable of exceeding mission's standards. Soldiers from the Florida National Guard’s 1st Battalion 265th ADA, who were currently on mission in the NCR, traveled to North Dakota to offer their advice to the 1-188th ADA. The unit achieved their certifications, proving that they were ready to move on to the final Culminating Training Event (CTE).
After a send-off ceremony, the 1-188th traveled to Fort Bliss, Texas, for their CTE. This event was filled with intense and immersive training, offering complex scenarios to test the physical and mental skills of the Soldiers. After weeks in the Texas heat, the 1-188th ADA was fully certified and prepared to protect the NCR.
From left, Maj. Alan Roehrich, Spc. Madison Schlager, and Staff Sgt. Sean Brekke, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, participate in a foot march with rubber weapons, Feb. 3, 2022, Washington D.C.
Since assuming responsibilities for protecting the airspace above the NCR, the 1-188th ADA has been on mission, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The N.D. Air Defenders have continued to maintain readiness through training and familiarization. The Soldiers also developed themselves outside of required training, participating in volunteer activities, unit professional development, and events like the Norwegian Foot March.
The Soldiers of the 1-188th ADA are scheduled to return to home station later this summer, after a year-long mobilization to our nation's capital.
Congratulations Citizen!
N.D. National Guard Soldier Spc. Rebecca Werekowaa became a United States citizen, June 8, 2022, at a naturalization ceremony at North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Zietz, Forward Support Company, 164th Engineer Battalion)
Supporting the Employers that Support the National Guard
The N.D. Army National Guard and the N.D. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) hosted eight local community and business leaders who employ National Guard members at a Boss Lift event June 13 and 14, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
The Boss Lift program offers employers an opportunity to visit military installations throughout the nation to observe National Guard and Reserve members involved in training exercises.
The Boss Lift event provided ground transportation from Fargo, N.D., to Camp Ripley, Minn., June 13 for the employers to witness their employees performing their military duties during their annual training period at Camp Ripley.
Sue Lloyd, Barnes County emergency manager, is seated near the door of a N.D. Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter upon arrival in Fargo, following a flight from Camp Ripley, Minnesota, for a Boss Lift event June 14, 2022.
The ESGR Boss Lift program also intends to gain and maintain support from all public and private employers of reserve component (RC) members. The bosslift provides training activity for employers as well as military/civilian interaction for those National Guard service members.
The visual impact of employers being able to see their Soldier-employees in tactical training, leadership, specific skill work, brings an immense amount of awareness and knowledge to the employers who know their employees need time off for drill and annual training, but are rarely fully-informed of the significant skills that are acquired during training.
The Boss Lift program increases employer support by encouraging other employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation’s Guard and Reserve units.
Boss Lift participants at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, June 14, 2022. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Please include contact information if a response is requested.
Click to receive an email whenever a new TAG Line is published.