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TAG Line October 16, 2023

N.D. Guard Soldiers stand at attention during a funeral for Col. Douglas Larsen, Joint Force Headquarters, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck, N.D., Oct. 10. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)

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Remembering Col. Douglas Larsen

The N.D. Guard attended a funeral for Col. Douglas Larsen, Joint Force Headquarters Plans Officer, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck, Oct. 10. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)

Larsen was a 29-year member of the North Dakota Army National Guard and had served in the state Senate since 2021, representing District 34.

U.S. Army Col. Douglas Larsen enlisted into the North Dakota Army National Guard on March 14, 1994 as a combat engineer. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. and was appointed as a commissioned officer on August 18, 2001, and would become an Engineer Officer. He later became an Aviation Officer Oct. 19, 2006.

2-285th Aviation Sendoff Ceremony
2-285th Aviation Sendoff Ceremony
2-285th Aviation Sendoff Ceremony

Larsen was mobilized twice; once in 2009-2010 to Iraq as the Company Commander for Charlie Company, 2-285th Assault Battalion and again in 2013-2014 to Washington, DC in support of Operation Noble Eagle with the 1-188th Air Defense Artillery Battalion.

Col. Douglas Larsen in Iraq.
2-285th Aviation Unit photo
Col. Douglas Larsen in Iraq.

New MQ-9 Operations Building

The North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing officially opened the doors to a new building for the 119th Operations Group during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the North Dakota Air National Guard base in Fargo, Oct. 7. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)

Construction began in September of 2021 on the $17.5 million, 26,000-square-foot purpose-built facility that will house all MQ-9 operations under one roof. It will provide a modern consolidated work environment for the 119th Wing’s MQ-9 Reaper mission.

Sen. John Hoeven, Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general and 119th Wing leadership participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“This is the premiere group they ask for you by name when there is a problem in the world, nobody does it better. That’s why this operations center is so important, and you need the best technology.” said Sen. John Hoeven.
“This is an exciting day for the Operations group. We are in a brand-new purpose-built facility for our unit and our remotely piloted aircraft mission.” said Col. Kevin Dacy, 119th Operations group commander. “This facility incorporates previously separated functions under one roof and provides state-of-the-art systems and connectivity that our Airmen need to ensure success as the MQ-9 mission continues to evolve and becomes more complex.”
“It’s a great day to be celebrating the ribbon cutting for this operations center. While the 119th Wing’s missions have changed over the years, your commitment to protecting freedom has not.” said Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller

The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium altitude, long-endurance aircraft capable of precision attack and reconnaissance. The North Dakota Air National Guard has a Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) that operates the MQ-9 for aircrew and provides aircraft maintenance training at the 119th Wing.

“This is the best Reaper unit in the Air Force, and they have the hardware to prove it. That’s why you need this building and that’s why you have earned this building. For the Happy Hooligans, your sustained excellence is why we are here today and it’s why we have this new facility.” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann

The missions of the 119th Wing are extremely relevant and enduring components of the National Defense Strategy. The Happy Hooligans are proud of their over 75 years of service to our communities, state and nation.

State Partnership Program

North Dakota National Guard, along with our 19th year partner, the Republic of Ghana, was asked to take part in a presentation and panel discussion at The 2023 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) was held in Washington, D.C., October 9. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)

Left to Right; Gen. Hokanson, National Guard Bureau Chief, Maj. Gen. Thomas Oppong-Peprah, Ghana Armed Forces Chief of Army, Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general, NDNG and Maj. Gen. Wasmund, SETAF-AF Commander on stage at the 2023 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) was held in Washington, D.C., October 9.

The theme with the State Partnership Program discussed throughout the engagement were on three things: Continuity, consistency and competence.

Brig. Gen. Huber discussed the enduring relationship with Ghana along with our other two countries, Togo and Benin. As of 2023, the NDNG has conducted 305 engagements with our partners.

Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general, NDNG speaking on stage at The 2023 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) was held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 9.

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAQF-AF) Maj. Gen. Wasmund discussed the main SPP contributions to continuous relationships that built strong and enduring partnerships.

Maj. Gen. Thomas Oppong-Peprah, Ghana Armed Forces Chief of Army, speaking on stage at The 2023 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) was held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 9.

Partnerships are mutually beneficial for our African partners to get consistent in personal relationships and influence to help during a crisis.

119th Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal

119th Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal partnered with Red River Valley Bomb Squad and Moorhead Fire Department to work on robot operations in a homemade explosives laboratory environment. Training together grows the partnerships between organizations helping us to work together smoothly to keep our communities safe. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)

New Officer

Spc. Luke McCowan was commissioned as a officer at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, October 5. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Cpt. Connor Kelley, HHC 164th Engineer Battalion, administers the oath of office to newly appointed 2nd Lt. Luke McCowan, HHC 164th Engineer Battalion, at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, October 5, 2023.

McCowan originally enlisted in the spring of 2013 and changes over from the rank of specialist to become an officer.

Professional Development

Todd Remington, Veteran Outreach Program from the Bismarck Vet Center, conducted this month's professional development at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, October 11. The briefing was livestreamed state-wide to all N.D. National Guard full-time members. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Todd Remington, Veteran Outreach Program from the Bismarck Vet Center, speaks about programs offered to veterans at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, October 11, 2023.

The Vet Center offers confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Services include counseling for needs such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). The center can also connect you with more support in VA and your community. For more information visit the Bismarck Vet Center website.

Western N.D. Honor Flight

The Western North Dakota Honor Flight took North Dakota veterans to Washington D.C. October 1 - 2, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by John Haugen, Visual Information)

The Honor Flight Veterans received the honor of placing a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 1, 2023.

Western North Dakota Honor Flight is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. They transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. The top priority is given to the senior veterans along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.

The Honor Flight Veterans received the honor of placing a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 1, 2023.

Honor Flight Veterans visited the Veterans Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., Oct. 1, 2023.

The Honor Flight Network is a national network comprised of independent hubs working together in furtherance of the Honor Flight mission. In furtherance of this common goal, Honer Flight shows our nation’s veterans the appreciation and honor they deserve. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with other comrades, to remember friends and comrades lost, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans. All honored veterans travel at no cost to the veteran.

Vets looked up names on the Veterans Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., Oct. 1, 2023.

Veterans got to see the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C., Oct. 1, 2023.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.

Applications for a future flight can be printed or filed on-line on their website westernndhf.org. They can also be picked up at any county or tribal Veterans Service Office.

Honor Flight visited the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington D.C., Oct. 1, 2023.

ESGR Freedom Award

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Freedom Award nomination season runs from October 1 through December 31. Employees who are members of the National Guard and other Reserve components and their families can nominate the member’s employer for this prestigious award. (National Guard story by Jannette Fetch, Volunteer Support Technician, N.D. ESGR)

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recognizes employers who provide the most outstanding support for their Guard and Reserve employees. Nominations come from almost every industry, including local community organizations, the public sector, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, as well as state and local government agencies. Companies fall under three categories of selection: large business, small business, and public sector.

Nominate your employer at the ESGR website.

For more information, contact Janette Fetch at (701) 333-2057 or janette.k.fetch.ctr@mail.mil. Please follow ESGR's Facebook page to stay current on their events and activities.

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