U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Doss, 191st Military Police Company, participates in the 6-mile foot march during the State Best Warrior Competition, Aug. 17, at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake.
Contents
- TAG Change of Command
- Domestic Response
- Exercise
- Competitions
- Notable Events
- State Partnership Program
- Welcome Home Ceremonies
- Da Guard Podcast
- ND200
- From the Field
TAG Change of Command
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson assumed command as adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard in a change of command ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, Sept. 15.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson takes the Oath of Office, administered by the Honorable Doug Burgum, governor of North Dakota, during the change of command ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, Sept. 15.
Gov. Doug Burgum, who served as the commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National Guard, announced Johnson's selection on June 20 and presided over the change of command ceremony.
As adjutant general, Johnson will also serve as the director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, which is comprised of the Division of Homeland Security and the Division of State Radio Communications.
U.S. Army Spc. Gavin Rudd, the newest trained North Dakota National Guard Soldier, renders the last salute to Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann during Dohrmann's retirement ceremony.
Dohrmann served as the adjutant general since 2015, overseeing numerous deployments and several domestic operations. These include the Guard's support to North Dakota during the COVID-19 response between 2020-2022, the Medora wildfires and Roosevelt Creek Fires in 2021, the Bourbanis Dam Stabilization in 2022, and the Missouri River Ice Jam in 2024.
Following the change of command ceremony, Dohrmann was honored at a retirement ceremony for his more than four decades of military service. He began his military career in 1983, joined the North Dakota National Guard in 1991, and held various roles before being named deputy adjutant general in 2007.
Domestic Response
Ice Jam
On Feb. 29, the North Dakota National Guard launched an aerial operation to respond to an ice jam on the Missouri River in Bismarck. Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters deployed, repeatedly dropping 660 gallons of water to dislodge ice. The river crested at 15.43 feet, and due to mitigation efforts, fell nearly 2 feet and ended the day at 13.49 feet, dropping below minor flood stage. (National Guard story by Sgt. Michaela Granger)
By 3 p.m., the two NDNG UH-60 Black Hawks were activated. Each helicopter was equipped with a Bambi Bucket system, capable of holding 660 gallons of river water. The 5,000 lbs of water was then repeatedly dropped onto the ice. A 20 by 20-foot section of ice was dislodged on the first pass. Around 6 p.m., progress was made, and the ice began to move down the river. One hundred and eighteen buckets dropped over 70,000 gallons of water in 4 hours.
Wildfire Response
The North Dakota National Guard and other North Dakota state agencies coordinating with local, federal and tribal firefighters and emergency responders to battle several large wildfires that started on Oct. 5, and spread quickly across western North Dakota, driven by strong winds, dry ground conditions and low humidity. The large wildfires were fought near Grassy Butte, Mandaree, Arnegard, Keene, Charlson, Garrison, Tioga, Ray, and more. (National Guard story by Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger)
North Dakota Army National Guard air crews fight wildland fires North of Bismarck, Oct. 12.
Forty-one Soldiers and Airmen of the North Dakota National Guard were activated to battle the fires and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were launched multiple days to provide aerial support with water buckets.
The fires burned over 113,000 acres and were 100% contained on Oct. 21.This was the largest Red Card Certified ground crew activation for a wildland fire. With aviation and the Joint Operations Center support, the Guard logged 808 personnel days.
Exercises
Deep Freeze
The 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard Emergency Management Flight hosted Airmen from across the country to participate in Emergency Management Operation Deep Freeze at Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, N.D. January 21-25. The exercise was designed to test the ability of Emergency Management Airmen and equipment to function in extreme cold weather environments, honing their war-fighting skills. (National Guard story by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle)
Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX)
A team composed of U.S. Army and Air Force medical professionals from the 86th Medical Squadron, Veterinary Readiness Activity - Rheinland Pfalz, Dental Health Activity - Rheinland Pfalz, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, U.S. Army Medical Command, and the State Medical Detachment, North Dakota National Guard, commenced a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) with the Ghana Armed Forces, May 13. The ceremony marked the beginning of activities that will run until May 31 at 37th Military Hospital in Accra. (U.S. Army story by Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson)
Members of the U.S. Army and Air Force and Ghana Armed Forces pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) in Accra, Ghana, May 13.
U.S. Army Soldiers team with Ghana Armed Forces to conduct an irrigation and debridement of a patient’s hip during a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) at 37th Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana, May 17.
It’s been an eye opening experience. It has been a privilege to work alongside the Ghanaians and find alternative ways of providing patient care. -U.S. Army Sgt. Brielle Marman, a dental assistant with the North Dakota National Guard.
"Operation Candyland"
As the early morning fog drifted across the rippling current of the Missouri River, 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)
A Soldier with the 131st Military Police Battalion, North Dakota National Guard, guides a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) equipped with a Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) system onto a floating bridge during a wet gap crossing exercise on the Missouri River near Kimball Bottoms, Aug. 17.
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.
Exercises like this help build rapport across units that may not typically work together. That means greater integration and interoperability on future missions.
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)
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.
Hawki Fury
The Iowa Air National Guard’s 132d Wing conducted a Hawki Fury Exercise alongside the 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, September 13-14, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. The exercise marked the second occasion that an MQ-9 Reaper was launched, flown and recovered in Des Moines airspace. (National Guard story by Master Sgt. Michael Kelly)
Competitions
All Army Small Arms Championships
Five Soldiers and one Airmen from the North Dakota National Guard attended the 2024 All Army Small Arms Championships at Fort Moore, Georgia March 10 - 16. (National Guard photos and story by Sgt. First Class Nicholas Milbrath)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brenden Dean, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Jasper, 119th Communications Flight, practicing pistol shooting at Camp Robinson, Arkansas for the National Guard train-up, the week before the All Army competition, at Ft. Moore, Georgia, March 27.
The week-long competition brought together over 230 shooters, including Soldiers and cadets from all components of the U.S. Army such as active-duty Army, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, United States Military Academy and Reserve Officers’ and Training Corps to demonstrate their technical and tactical proficiency through a series of individual and team events.
U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Nicholas Milbrath, Headquarters and Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, center; shooting at the 200 yards for Rifle Run-down on day six of the All Army competition in Ft Moore, Georgia, March 7.
Air National Guardsmen are also allowed to participate due to the National Guard’s joint nature in their states. Each team consisted of four firing competitors with either a coach or a captain. The U.S. Army Small Arms Championships is viewed as a training opportunity for the Guardsmen whose duties do not include a lot of time at the range, building proficiency and taking those skills back to their units.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Jasper, 119th Communications Flight, received the Distinguished Rifle Badge. The achievement is earned by accruing compounded “leg points” by finishing the top 10 percent of competitors in rifle “Excellence-in-Competition” matches.
The Adjutant General's Match
The Adjutant General's Match took place on Camp Grafton South, July 2. TAG's Match is a competition that allows service members to test their marksmanship skills using a variety of weapons.
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)
This is my favorite time of the year. The Best Warrior Competition is a three-and-a-half-day event that challenges Soldier and noncommissioned officer competitors both physically and mentally in a multitude of warrior skill tasks. It also builds confidence and breeds professionalism throughout our ranks. -U.S Army Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, state command sergeant major.
U.S. Army 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.
Notable Events
LCC Change of Command
The N.D. National Guard’s Land Component Command (LCC) conducted a change of command ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, ND, Dec. 7.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, presided over the ceremony, which saw Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson relinquish command to Brig. Gen. Benjamin Cleghorn. As LCC commander, Erickson led close to 3,000 N.D. Guard Soldiers since Nov. 2021.
Lieutenant Rescues Woman from Sinking Car
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David Hooge, 231st Quartermaster Platoon, North Dakota National Guard, rescued a woman from a sinking car in Devils Lake, North Dakota, July 29. (National Guard story by Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger)
While driving south of the city of Devils Lake, Hooge noticed a car behind him swerving back and forth before going off the road into the water of Devils Lake. He pulled over and went to help the woman. When he reached the vehicle, the water was already up to her waist. According to Hooge, the woman seemed to be frozen. She could not unlock the car doors and the front door was too damaged to open. Hooge had grabbed a rock before entering the water and used it to break the back window. He unlocked the door and the woman was able to exit the sinking vehicle from the back door. Hooge estimates that the vehicle was completely submerged in about five minutes.
I’m glad I was able to step up and help. I joined the National Guard because I want to make a difference in my community and do what I can to make the world a better place. This is concrete evidence that I have made a difference in this world - Hooge
North Dakota Military Gallery Architectural Design Development Drawings Unanimously Approved
In a significant milestone for the North Dakota National Guard, the Capitol Grounds Planning Commission unanimously approved the architectural design development drawings for a new military gallery addition on Tuesday, Aug. 6. This will be located on the south side of the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum.
The approved design includes a 20,000-square-foot military gallery, a North Dakota National Guard regimental room, an expanded food service area, and an outdoor courtyard and amphitheater space, all within the approximately 60,000-square-foot addition.
This gallery stands as a testament to our shared commitment to honoring the past, inspiring future generations, and educating all who walk through its doors. Thank you to the Capitol Grounds Planning Committee, for your invaluable role in bringing this vision to life. - U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general, North Dakota National Guard.
SAPRO Award
Erica Davidson, the Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program officer with the North Dakota National Guard, received the Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Award this morning. She has gone above and beyond to support North Dakota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and all Guardsmen in the 54 states and territories.
State Partnership Program
Ghana
In 2024, the North Dakota National Guard celebrated a 20-year bilateral partnership with the Republic of Ghana through the State Partnership Program. Delegates from the North Dakota National Guard traveled to Accra, Ghana, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the State Partnership Program between the state of North Dakota and the country of Ghana, Feb. 22, 2024. (National Guard story by Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger)
Despite the vast geological differences, Ghana and North Dakota both suffer from severe flooding. The two countries share information for their disaster preparation and response. Disaster preparation and response is one of the NDNG’s most enduring and significant portfolios in the SPP. This partnership is one of eighteen on the continent of Africa. The Republic of Ghana is a regional peacekeeping provider, with over 75,000 peacekeepers deployed throughout their history.
The strongest civil-to-civil relationship North Dakota has with Ghana is between the NDNG, the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), and Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO). NADMO is codified within their laws to be the organization that manages all logistics for disasters, tying in well with NDNG and NDDES strengths. The North Dakota organizations have helped build a National Emergency Operations Center and regularly train with Ghana on Incident Command Principles, ensuring that the country is trained to respond effectively to disasters.
From left, Maj. Beth Simek, North Dakota bilateral affairs officer for Ghana, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Thomas Oppong Prempah, Ghana chief of defense staff, and Lt. Col. Jarrod Simek, U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, talk during the 20th-anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between North Dakota and the Republic of Ghana, Feb. 22, 2024, Accra, Ghana. North Dakota and Ghana are one of eighteen partnerships in Africa and are one of the oldest, starting in 2004.
The most enduring military-to-military relationship is between the 164th Regional Training Institute in Devils Lake, North Dakota, and the Ghana Armed Forces Engineer Training School, in Accra, Ghana. For 15 years, the countries have hosted an exchange program for noncommissioned officers' cadre to learn from each other by interacting with the institutional leadership and engaging with students attending both locations, gaining valuable feedback from the field.
We’ve accomplished a lot in 20 years, and that should come as no surprise; it’s easy to accomplish big things when you’re friends, and we are friends. - Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, NDNG adjutant general (retired September 2024)
Benin & Togo
The North Dakota National Guard also celebrated 10-year bilateral partnerships with the Republics of Benin and Togo. Delegates from the North Dakota National Guard traveled to Lomé, Togo and Cotonou, Benin, to celebrate the partnerships on June 26 and 27, 2024. Both countries were officially selected to partner with North Dakota as part of the SPP in April 2014 and are two of eighteen partnerships in Africa. (National Guard story by Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger)
The disaster preparedness portfolio is North Dakota’s most cross-cutting engagement with the SPP. North Dakota routinely brings over state employees from public health, fire, and police forces in addition to National Guardsmen. One of the most significant engagements through the program is counter-IED awareness training. The Republics of Togo and Benin conduct many peacekeeping operations around Africa and they also have experienced increased violent extremism and conflicts at their borders; many ambushes they experience involve an IED, followed by small arms fire. The NDNG partners with them to train on best practices, using experience that NDNG Soldiers gained from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
From left, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, North Dakota National Guard senior enlisted leader, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Merri Filloon, 119th Wing, North Dakota National Guard command chief, at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between North Dakota and the Republic of Benin, June 27, 2024, Cotonou, Benin.
The Benin National Civil Protection Agency has a strong relationship with the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and the NDNG Domestic Operations Section, supporting Benin’s disaster preparedness and response. The NDNG, with assistance from U.S. Africa Command, has conducted 46 military-to-military engagements and 14 Disaster Preparedness engagements with Benin and has trained 150 first responders.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, gives remarks at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between North Dakota and the Republic of Togo, June 26, 2024, Lomé, Togo.
The NDNG has conducted 45 military-to-military engagements and 17 disaster-preparedness engagements in Togo. The NDNG’s 164th Regional Training Institute in Devils Lake, North Dakota, has a strong relationship with the Togo Armed Forces Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, helping to update the Togo Military’s curriculum and building NCO empowerment. The NDNG worked with the U.S. Corps of Engineers to advance the training and outfitting of the National Emergency Operations Center in Lome, Togo. The NDNG trained 800 first responders within the Republic of Togo.
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
Staff Sgt. Leif Anderson
Let's meet U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Leif Anderson, aircraft electrician, avionics supervisor, and a non-rated standardization instructor, with Delta Company (Detachment 2), 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion. He shares his experiences going the military, moving to North Dakota from Minnesota, and what it is like working in an aviation unit during federal deployments and state emergencies.
New podcast episodes will be announced every other Monday.
ND 2000
From the Field Campaign
Snowshoe Ruck March
U.S. Army Soldiers of the 3662nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC) march with trekking poles in a snowshoe ruck march during their winter Annual Training at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, North Dakota, March 3. (National Guard photo by Capt. Rhea Goulet, 3662nd SMC)
Air Lift Training
U.S. Army Soldiers of the141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and with the help of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, conducted a field training exercise in Fargo, N.D., May 5. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Hanson, Headquarters and Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Room Clearing
U.S. Army Soldiers of the131st Military Police Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, practice room clearing at their Annual Training at Camp Grafton, May 10. (National Guard photo by Sgt. Austin Haugen, 131st Military Police Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment)
Confidence Course
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tim Bailey, Company D, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, tries his hand at a head-first rappel during annual training at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, N.D., May 12. (National Guard photo by Spc. Nick Jessen, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment)
Wildfire Thank You
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, ND National Guard adjutant general, accompanied Gov. Doug Burgum and state officials to survey the impact of several large wildfires. Together, they met with firefighters, emergency managers, and local officials in Tioga and Watford City, offering their gratitude and support for the critical work being done on the frontlines. (Photo by Mike Kennedy, Governors Office)