2019 Region VI Best Warrior Competition
The 2019 Region VI Best Warrior Competition took place this week at North Dakota National Guard's Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake. Top photo: North Dakota National Guard's Sgt. Casey Drege, of the 957th Engineer Company, participates in the 2-mile run portion of the Army Physical Fitness Test.
Soldiers competing for the "Best Warrior" title hail from Wyoming, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, South Dakota and North Dakota. There were four days of competition, May 6-9
2019 Region VI Best Warrior Competition participants begin their 12-mile forced march at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, N.D. on May 7.
Sgt. 1st Class Adam Walsvik of the North Dakota National Guard, carries ammo cans as an additional task during the weapons qualification portion of the Region VI Best Warrior Competition on May 7.
Sgt. Paul Mannelly, Oregon National Guard won the Best Warrior NCO of the Year and Sgt. Peter Bennett, Idaho National Guard was recognized as Best Warrior Soldier of the Year. For more photos visit Flickr 2019 Region VI Best Warrior Competition photos.
Vice President Mike Pence visits Fargo Area
Vice President Mike Pence arrived at Hector Air Base, home of the 119th Wing in Fargo on May 9. His primary purpose was to visit with farmers in the Red River valley. More photos.
North Dakota National Guard Team Participates in Lincoln National Guard Marathon
Four members of the North Dakota National Guard participated in this year's annual Lincoln National Guard Marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 5.
According to team manager Maj. Mike Champagne, the team that was used to frigid, below average spring temperatures in North Dakota, had to "battle 70 degree heat during this marathon". Sgt. 1st Class Eric Schafer's time was good enough to qualify as an alternate on the All-Guard marathon team.
Aviation Resource Management Surveys (ARMS)
Recently, North Dakota Army National Guard Aviation underwent an intensive inspection of its two Aviation Support Facilities and all of its rotary wing units. The GSA-sponsored Aviation Resource Management Survey (ARMS) is a comprehensive look at 10 functional areas and over 50 sub-areas that range from maintenance and safety to standardization, training and many areas required for a successful and safe Army aviation program. The 9-person ARMS team arrived on May 2 and continued its inspection until close of business on May 6. The team evaluated all programs with over 2000 questions, with multiple written and hands on tests.
The ARMS program helps federal agencies manage aviation assets. Although each individual facility and unit receives its own score, in the end most areas recieved high percentage scores and passing grades in all functional areas. The ARMS validated the high quality and professionalism of our North Dakota Army aviation team verifying their readiness and lethality.
Civil Air Patrol Conference
The 2019 North Dakota Civil Air Patrol (CAP) conference was held in Jamestown on May 4 and was hosted by the James River Composite Squadron. Speakers included the commander of the North Dakota Wing, Colonel John Steiner and the keynote address was delivered by Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general. Dohrmann's comments focused on N.D. CAP accomplishments over the last year and their continued contributions to the citizens of North Dakota. After the speakers, the conference recognized unit and individuals with the presentation of awards such as Cadet Unit of the Year; Squadron of Merit; and the Gill Robb Wilson award citation which recognizes the highest professional development by a CAP senior member.
The CAP is an official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and consists of senior members and cadets. The North Dakota Wing performs the three primary CAP missions. Providing emergency services; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public. For more information please visit the North Dakota CAP website.
Army Commander's Back Brief
The Army Commander for the North Dakota National Guard, Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, received Fiscal Year 20 Command Guidance back briefs from subordinate commands at Camp Grafton Training Center on May 4. Key officers and Non-commissioned officers participated.
The primary purpose for these back briefs is to inform and to gain the Army Commander's concurrence for unit training plans for the upcoming fiscal year. The briefs also inform the Army Staff of support requirements and resources needed to meet these upcoming training and operational objectives.
Medical Awards
North Dakota Army National Guard was recognized for Best Medical Readiness for 2019, small state category, at the National Guard medical team conference on May 6-10 at Camp Dawson, West Virginia. This recognition validates that our professional medical team continually helps ensure that our Soldiers are medically prepared. These areas were evaluated to determine this year's winner: Combat Medic Specialist re-certification; percentage of military credentialed medical providers; and execution of National Guard medical budget. Additionally, Col. Brian Keller received the Maj. Gen. Deborah C. Wheeling "Award of Excellence" for being recognized as the best deputy state surgeon in the nation.
Left to right. Brig. Gen. Jill Faris, deputy chief of staff for support, U.S. Medical Command; Col Brian Keller, deputy State Surgeon; Col. Michael Pelzner, Chief Surgeon, National Guard Bureau; and Sgt. Maj. Sherry Blackwell, sergeant major, Surgeon Office, National Guard Bureau. Keller was recognized as the top deputy state surgeon within the National Guard nation-wide.
North Dakota National Guard Military Police Participated in State Partnership Program in Benin
North Dakota National Guard Soldiers from the 816th Military Police (MP) Company conducted a MP engagement with the Benin armed forces in western Africa April 1 thru 12. The 10-day training was the scenario based practical exercise of establishing a cordon and search to incorporating medical, Close Quarters Combat (CQC) and hostage rescue of a U.S. Soldier. The Benin Soldiers did a great job on mission planning, rehearsals, a sand table and full executions of operations and missions which incorporated the training of CQC elements.
The practical exercise of establishing a Traffic Control Point was transitioned into scenario based training incorporating vehicle searches, occupant searches, along with establishing roles and responsibility of officer and non-commissioned officers-in-charge, over-watch, medics, and search elements.