Top photo: Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, and Dr. Bill Peterson, director, State Historical Society of North Dakota, sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the North Dakota Heritage Center on the state capitol grounds, Bismarck, Oct. 17, 2022. This MOA formalizes a partnership for the creation of a N.D. military museum,
Contents
- North Dakota Military Museum MOA
- Containing a Range Fire at Camp Grafton
- Security Forces Training
- Keeping ND State Legislators Informed
- Guard Supports PBR with Rappel Demonstration
- Trick or Treat In Bismarck
North Dakota Military Museum MOA
On Oct. 17, 2022, Dr. Bill Peterson, director, State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND), and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) formalizing the partnership and cooperative effort between the SHSND and the N.D. National Guard for establishing a North Dakota military museum. The signing was conducted at the Heritage Center at the N.D. State Capitol Grounds. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The intent of this joint effort is to build a museum that will preserve and honor the rich military history of North Dakota. Its purpose will be to Honor, Educate and Inspire visitors about our state’s military history. The vision is to expand the ability to have a complete repository of records and artifacts that promote and honor the military service of the Sons and Daughters of North Dakota. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Containing a Range Fire at Camp Grafton
A tracer round ignited a grass fire at the Modified Record Fire (MRF) range at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) south, Oct. 15, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. First Class Kim Unruh, N.D. Army National Guard Command Executive Assistant)
M249 Light Machine Gun gunners from the 153rd Engineer Battalion, S.D. Army National Guard, were conducting individual weapons qualification when the fire occurred. Sgt. David Geske, CGTC Range Control, noticed smoke from the control tower. After confirming the fire, he called Soldiers from the 153rd Engineer Battalion to assist with its suppression.
Per SOP, units conducting live fire ranges at Camp Grafton are required to provide a 10-Soldier detail to assist Range Control with fire suppression as needed. Prior to ranges going live, CGTC Range Control provides units with training on the operation of CGTC's fire trucks and the principles of controlling a wildland grass fire.
A Soldier extinguishes a wildland grass fire on the Modified Record Fire range at Camp Grafton Training Center South, Oct, 15, 2022.
Large wind gusts made fire containment more difficult as it pushed the flames farther down the firing berm. In total, three fire trucks dispensed 800 gallons of water which helped extinguish the blaze after two hours of effort.
Mr. Joel Chicos, CGTC Weapons Range coordinator, said “Working together, CGTC Range Control personnel and the S.D. National Guard Soldiers did an admiral job in controlling and extinguishing this grass fire before any real property was damaged."
Limited rainfall in late summer set conditions favorable for wildland fires.
Security Forces Training
Senior Master Sgt. Brandi Grossman, 119th Wing, arranged a special gate exercise for Senior Airman Johnanna Ficcadenti, 119th Security Forces Squadron at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Oct. 19 to 21, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing)
119th Security Forces Squadron members Senior Airman Johnanna Ficcadenti, left, and Staff Sgt. Austin Bonn discuss security issues at the N.D. Air National Guard base entry gate, Fargo, Oct. 19, 2022.
The training is essential in meeting the security forces requirements for operations.
Keeping ND State Legislators Informed
The Office of the Adjutant General (OTAG), which includes the N.D. National Guard, the Division of Homeland Security, the Division of State Radio, and the N.D. Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, conducted six Legislative Engagements between Oct. 5 and Oct. 21, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
These engagements allowed OTAG staff to educate and inform legislators on potential budget initiatives being considered for the 68th Legislative Assembly. Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard presented initiatives of the NDNG focused on desired infrastructure to meet future force structure requirements and advance the NDNG strategic plan.
Guard Supports PBR with Rappel Demonstration
Two N.D. National Guard Soldiers supported the Minot Y's Men Professional Bull Riders (PBR) with a military rappel demonstration at the Minot Municipal Auditorium, Minot, N.D., Sept. 24, 2022. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class James R. Kenney, Recruiting and Retention)
Staff Sgt. Jonathan Schmidt, 164th Regional Training Institute, Camp Grafton Training Center, rappelled from the ceiling during the rodeo's opening ceremony. He was assisted by Sgt. Eric Linde, N.D. Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion, who served as ground safety (rappel belay). Schmidt is U.S. Army rappel master qualified.
Trick or Treat In Bismarck
N.D. National Guard Service Member and Family Support will host a Halloween event at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Oct. 27, 2022.
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