The Happy Hooligans MQ-9 Reaper aircraft in Alpena, Michigan, Combat Readiness Training Center during Northern Strike 2024 Exercise, Aug. 24. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Contents
- Indonesian Air Force Visit
- North Dakota Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition
- Northern Strike 2024
- “Operation Candyland” Wet Gap Crossing Exercise
- Regional Diocese visit N.D. Guard
- 119th Services Flight
- Da Guards Podcast
- First Day of School Flag Raising
- From the Field Campaign
- TAG Summer Social Farewell
- Veterans Stand Down
Indonesian Air Force Visit
The 119th Wing hosted a delegation from the Indonesian Air Force and the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of a subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) and the 119th Wing in Fargo, N.D., Aug. 12-13. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
U.S. Air Force Capt. Mitch Mazaheri meets with a delegation from the Indonesian Air Force and U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of a subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) and the 119th Wing in Fargo, N.D., Aug. 12.
This SMEE provides an avenue to develop military-to-military relations and bilateral cooperation.
The North Dakota Air National Guard members and Indonesian Air Force representatives discussed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) processes while sharing challenges relating to Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations.
U.S. Air Force Col. Ryan Ayers, 119th Wing Deputy commander, is presented an award from the Indonesian Air Force and U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of a subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) with the 119th Wing in Fargo, N.D., Aug.13.
The visit was sponsored by the Hawaii National Guard through their State Partnership Program relationship with Indonesia.
North Dakota Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition
Twenty-one North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers from across the state and three Ghanaian Armed Forces Soldiers pushed their physical and mental boundaries during the annual Best Warrior Competition, held at the Camp Grafton Training Center from Aug. 15-18. (National Guard story by Spc. Anna Welchel)
Sgt. Joseph Kane, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, won the NCO category, and Spc. Jonathan Nistler, Delta Detachment, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, won the enlisted category. The runners-up were Sgt. Max Dahl, Delta Detachment, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and Spc. Edward Snyder, 957th Engineer Company.
Northern Strike 2024
The Happy Hooligans sent 20 maintenance Airmen and an MQ-9 Reaper aircraft to Alpena, Michigan, Combat Readiness Training Center to participate in the Northern Strike 2024 Exercise, Aug. 3-17. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Northern Strike is a National Guard Bureau sponsored, multi-component, multinational exercise designed to build readiness and enhance interoperability with allied forces to fight and win.
Northern Strike 24-2 is Michigan’s largest and longest exercise designed to validate readiness of the joint reserve force.
“Operation Candyland” Wet Gap Crossing Exercise
The North Dakota Army National Guard conducted a wet gap crossing exercise at Kimball Bottoms, Aug. 17. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Christy Van Drunen)
The 957th Multi-Role Bridge Company led the “Operation Candyland” exercise, with the support of six other units belonging to the 131st Military Police Battalion, 164th Engineer Battalion, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery, and 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment. The units worked together to secure the area, constructed a temporary floating bridge, and moved personnel and equipment safely across the river.
Regional Diocese visit N.D. Guard
The N.D. Guard hosted a delegation of religious leaders from the Catholic Diocese of North Dakota and two other states at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, N.D., Aug. 23. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Included were members from diocese's located in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
U.S. Army Maj. Chad Gion, N.D. Guard state support chaplain, and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, state command sergeant major, gave a short briefing for the bishops on the relationship of the chaplain's corps with the members and families of the Guard.
N.D. Guardsman answer the bishops' questions about the UH-72 Lakota helicopter at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, N.D., Aug. 23.
Participants were briefed on the growing need for chaplains to join the National Guard of their states to help serve its members.
The bishops also learned about the State Partnership Program as North Dakota is partnered with Ghana, Togo, and Benin.
Bishops get a up close look at a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, N.D., Aug. 23.
Finally, the visit concluded with a tour of the Army Aviation Support Facility and letting the group see their equipment.
119th Services Flight
The 119th Services Flight held training on its newest field kitchen. Tech. Sgt. Dominique Koehmstedt, 119th Services Flight, tells us about the training. (National Guard video by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast focuses on highlighting the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
You will meet Lt. Col. Dan Murphy, the full-time Director of Human Resources for the North Dakota National Guard. He also serves as the Deputy Director for Domestic Operations, North Dakota Army National Guard.
New podcast episodes will be announced every other Monday.
First Day of School Flag Raising
Soldiers from the North Dakota National Guard helped kick start the school year by assisting in raising Old Glory at two local elementary schools in Bismarck, Aug. 21. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Elk Ridge Elementary School
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Abe Storms and Maj. Vanessa Lennick, State Medical Detachment, Capt. Eric Stockie, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 142nd Engineer Battalion, Sgt. First Class Jarett Dinius, Recruiting and Retention, Sgt. First Class Jessica Follman, 191st Military Police Company, and Staff Sgt. Heather Call, State Medical Detachment, all took part in the event at Elk Ridge. (National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Knoll, N.D. Visual Information)
Pioneer Elementary School
From the Field Campaign
Air Assault Grad
U.S. Army Pfc. Colter Thorsell, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC), from Devils Lake, North Dakota, recently completed the Air Assault course at Fort Moore, Georgia, held from Aug. 12-23, 2024. (U.S. National Guard story and photos by Capt. Rhea Goulet, 3662nd SMC commander)
The Air Assault course is one of the toughest training programs in the Army, demanding exceptional physical endurance, technical proficiency, and mental toughness. It prepares Soldiers for crucial roles in airborne operations and helicopter assaults, including rappelling, sling-load operations, and navigating complex terrain.
Thorsell's successful completion of this grueling course highlights his exceptional dedication and capability, showcasing his commitment to excellence and his readiness for challenging missions.
Abrahamson Promotion
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Trevor Kleineschay, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-112th Aviation Regiment, presided over a sergeant promotion ceremony for Tamela Abrahamson at the Army Aviation Readiness Center on Aug. 16. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Francetich, HHC, 1-112th Aviation Regiment)
ESGR Visits Bridging Exercise
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Employers attended a bridging exercise conducted by the 957th Engineer Company at Kimball Bottoms, south of Bismarck, Aug. 17. (National Guard story and photos by Janette Fetch, ESGR Volunteer Support Technician Contractor)
Employers in attendance were the N.D. Public Service Commissioner, city of Bismarck, Bismarck Mandan Chamber, N.D. Historical Society, Burleigh and Morton County Sheriff's Departments.
A short video of the event created by Bill Peterson, Director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota and North Dakota State Historic Preservation Officer.
For more information on the ESGR program click this link: https://www.esgr.mil/About-ESGR/Contact/Local-State-Pages/North-Dakota
TAG Summer Social Farewell
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, hosted a TAG Summer Social Farwell at Fraine Barracks, Aug. 29. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Command Awards
Veterans Stand Down
The North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support assisted in supporting a Central Dakota Veterans Stand Down at the AMVETS building in Bismarck, Aug. 22. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The original Stand Down for Veterans was modeled after a concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. Stand Down’s currently hold agencies, organizations, and educational materials that benefit all Veterans, Service Members, and Families.
The next Veterans Stand Down will be held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot on Oct. 17.
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