North Dakota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provide the color guard detail for Gov. Doug Burgum's State of the State address, Fargo Theater, Fargo, Feb. 16, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Poppy Mills, N.D. Department of Transportation). From left to right, Staff Sgt. Tyrell Martin and Master Sgt. Aaron Fagerwick; both of the 119th Wing; Sgt. Curtis Savey and Sgt. Jacob Markey, both of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
Governor's State of the State
Governor Doug Burgum, commander-in-chief of the N.D. National Guard, delivered his annual State of the State address at the Fargo Theatre, Fargo, Feb. 16, 2022. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
North Dakota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen help kick off the event by providing color guard duties. Behind the scenes, members of the 81st Civil Support Team assisted the North Dakota Highway Patrol's security operations in support of the event.
From left to right, Staff Sgt. Tyrell Martin and Master Sgt. Aaron Fagerwick, 119th Wing; Sgt. Curtis Savey, and Sgt. Jacob Markey, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; present the national and N.D. state colors to kick off Gov. Doug Burgum's State of the State address at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo, Feb. 16, 2022.
From left to right, 119th Wing Airmen Staff Sgt. Tyrell Martin and Master Sgt. Aaron Fagerwick; Gov. Doug Burgum; Sgt. Curtis Savey and Sgt. Jacob Markey, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, at the Governor's annual State of the State address, Fargo, Feb. 16, 2022.
State of the State Security Assistance
Three members of the 81st Civil Support Team (CST) assisted the North Dakota Highway Patrol's security operations at Gov. Doug Burgum’s State of the State address, Fargo Theatre, Fargo, N.D., Feb. 16, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David Lipp, 119th Wing)
Lt. Col. Patrick Flanagan, 81st CST commander, led Capt. Jacob Sommerfeld and Sgt. Domonic Delaney in monitoring for potential volatile organic, radiation, or chemical warfare agents at the Fargo Theater.
The team used electronic detection devices to do pre-event screening for hydrogen sulfides, lower level explosives, oxygen levels, carbon monoxide, and gamma radiation. They placed devices throughout the facility to continue monitoring the levels until the event concluded.
Sergeant Domonic Delaney, left, and Capt. Jacob Sommerfeld, 81st Civil Support Team, conduct air screening for hazardous threats using electronic air monitoring equipment prior to Gov. Doug Burgum’s State of the State address at the Fargo Theatre, Fargo, N.D., Feb. 16, 2022.
The advanced unified command suite is an essential asset the team brings to support security at events. It is a self-contained, mobile testing lab that provides communication interoperability with federal, state, and local response elements, including various radio frequencies, classified and unclassified internet, phone and fax capabilities.
Captain Jacob Sommerfeld, left, and Sgt. Domonic Delaney, 81st Civil Support Team, conduct air screening for hazardous threats prior to Gov. Doug Burgum’s State of the State address at the Fargo Theatre, Fargo, N.D., Feb. 16, 2022.
The 81st CST supports state events 10 to 12 times each year and assists in security operations for presidential inaugurations, large professional sports events, political conventions, and other highly visible events.
Sergeant Domonic Delaney, 81st Civil Support Team, sets up and tests electronic hazardous material detection equipment in the balcony observation area at Gov. Doug Burgum’s State of the State address, Fargo, N.D., Feb. 16, 2022.
R&R School Counselor
Recruiters of the N.D. Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention (R&R) Battalion joined career counselors from across the state during the counselors' annual conference, Bismarck, Feb. 13 to 15, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Maj. Nicolette Daschendorf, commander, Recruiting and Retention Battalion)
The North Dakota Counseling Association (NDCA) Annual Conference was attended by an estimated 200 people and provided recruiters a great opportunity to network with counselors and educators across the state.
Master Sergeant Ressler Calder shows a counselor the Vocational Technical Trainer Kit. This simulation allows prospective recruits an opportunity to gain a general understanding of what a military job would entail. This trainer provides an military occupational specialty (MOS) 12N (heavy equipment operator).
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jammy Ryckman, production officer-in-charge, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, speaks with a counselor at the N.D. Counselor Association annual event, Bismarck, Feb. 14. 2022.
Holte Inducted into Bison Battalion Hall of Fame
The North Dakota State University (NDSU) ROTC's program hosted the 128th Bison Battalion Military Ball, Fargo, N.D., Feb. 5, 2022. (Story and photos courtesy of Ruth Wirtz, NDSU Bison Battalion)
Cody Holte was posthumously inducted into the Bison Battalion Hall of Fame. He earned his commission through the NDSU ROTC program and was assigned as a first lieutenant with the N.D. National Guard's 815th Engineer Company when he was killed in the line of duty as a Grand Forks police officer on May 27, 2020. Eight members of Holte's family were present to witness his induction.
Over 100 individuals attended the ball, including 43 cadets, their guests, and the ROTC cadre. Besides the keynote address by Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann and the Bison Battalion Hall of Fame induction, the event featured awards and recognition for ROTC cadets.
Brady Holte, Cody's twin brother, was presented the guidon that the NDSU Ranger Challenge team made in 2013 when Cody was a cadet. The guidon was signed by all the team members. The Bison Battalion cadets felt that this homemade guidon would be at home with Brady.
Range Certification
Captain Corey Arnold, Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) Range Officer, led the Camp Grafton Training Center's range officer-in-charge/range safety officer (OIC / RSO) certification course at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Feb. 15, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Capt. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
The training is designed for officers and non-commissioned officers who supervise range operations for their units. The training provides updates on safety protocols, range standing operating procedure (SOP) operations, and changes to range protocol and regulations. The Individual Weapons Qualification (IWQ) for Soldiers was implemented in 2020. Conducting safe and efficient range operations is vital to maintaining one of the N.D. National Guard's primary capabilities - lethality.
Participants were certified to safely supervise various types of range operations to include pistol, rifle, crew-served weapons and demolitions. Eighty-six OIC/RSO's were certified to facilitate ranges scheduled for summer 2022.
Officer Management
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Deitra Harr, Personal Management Branch Chief, conducted a professional development class for N.D. Guard officers and warrant officers at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Feb. 11, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The class covered the N.D. Army National Guard officer management guide. This book provides guidance and procedures regarding assignments, promotions, and force management. The goal is to standardize procedures to help ensure fairness and effectively manage careers for officers and warrant officers.
Advanced Training Honor Grad
Private First Class Nathan Sadowsky was recognized as the Distinguished Honor Graduate for Allied Trade Specialist military occupational specialty (MOS) advanced individual training, Fort Lee, Virginia, Feb. 9, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Grant Semchenko, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion)
Sadowsky, who hails from Manning, N.D., is assigned to the Camp Grafton Training Center-based 3662nd Support Maintenance Company. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
To view past TAG Line publications, visit the N.D. National Guard website.
Please include contact information if a response is requested.
Click to receive an email whenever a new TAG Line is published.