Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Kachena, left, and Maj. Lucas Klettke, both of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, hook up one-ton sandbags to a cable suspended from a Black Hawk helicopter, Pembina County, May 3, 2022. Gov. Doug Burgum authorized the N.D. National Guard to dispatch two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to help stabilize the Bourbanis Dam. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing)
Guard Assists in Fire Suppression
On May 1, 2022, Gov. Doug Burgum authorized the N.D. National Guard to render fire suppression assistance with a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter equipped with a 600-gallon water bucket. (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Burlington fire chief requested fire suppression assistance at the scene of a train derailment near Des Lacs, North Dakota. Due to the muddy conditions, the Burlington Fire Department's trucks had difficulty getting close to the fire.
Aircrew and supporting personnel from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, were alerted mid-day Sunday. They quickly assembled at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, prepared their aircraft and equipment, conducted mission and safety briefings, and departed at 2:32 p.m.
A N.D National Guard Soldier prepares a 600-gallon bucket for use by a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, at the Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, N.D., May 1, 2022. (National Guard photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
N.D. National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dave Kilber, center, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, leads pre-flight checks for his UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew at the Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, N.D. May 1, 2022. (National Guard photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
At least 11 train cars derailed and cars carrying paper products and frozen foods caught fire. Fortunately, no cars containing hazardous materials were derailed. These cars were detached and moved away from the fire.
An N.D. National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter distributes water from its 600-gallon bucket to help suppress a fire at the scene of a derailment near Des Lacs, N.D., May 1, 2022. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Using the nearby Des Lacs reservoir as a water source, the Guard aviators distributed 19 buckets, equating to approximately 10,200 gallons of water to assist in fire suppression.
Stabilizing the Dam
For the second time in three days, the N.D. National Guard responded to an emergency request for assistance from our communities. (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
On May 3, 2022, Gov. Doug Burgum authorized the N.D. National Guard to assist in the stabilization efforts on the Bourbanis Dam at the request of the Pembina County emergency manager. Aircrews and aviation support personnel from Bismarck's Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, and Soldiers of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Fargo were alerted in the early morning hours for this domestic response.
A pallet of 100 one-ton sandbags and operational cables is loaded aboard an N.D. National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in the hanger, ready to be transported for emergency use in a flood protection mission, at the Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, N.D. May 3, 2022. (National Guard photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
N.D. National Guard crew chief 1st Sgt. Mitch McCoy, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, executes pre-flight checks for his Uh-60 Black Hawk helicopter at the Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, N.D. May 3, 2022. (National Guard photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were missioned to place one-ton sandbags to help stop the serious erosion at the dam. The helicopters departed Bismarck at approximately 6:45 a.m. en route to the dam.
The aircraft began placing the one-ton sandbags at 9:43 a.m. After placing 119 on May 3, the aircraft crews rested overnight in Grand Forks before resuming operations the following day.
Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Kachena, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, guides a hook lowered by a cable from a hovering UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in order to hook up a one-ton sandbag, Pembina County, May 3, 2022. (National Guard photos by Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing)
On May 4, the N.D. National Guard’s Army aviators completed the dam stabilization mission by placing 94 one-ton sandbags. Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters worked from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., marking a two-day total of 213 one-ton sandbags placed to help stabilize the dam.
There were 48 N.D. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen on duty for this response which ended the afternoon of May 4, 2022.
Minnesota Guard Chinook renders emergency Assistance
On May 6, 2022, the Minnesota National Guard responded to an EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Compact) request from North Dakota, asking for a helicopter capable of placing water pumps, weighing more than five tons each, into the Bourbanis Dam in Pembina County. (National Guard story and photos by Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing)
A CH-47 Chinook from the St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Company B, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment (GSAB), assisted by North Dakota Soldiers on the ground, placed two water pumps, leased from a private contractor, into locations designated by the Pembina County Water Resource District. The pumps can process 4,000 gallons per minute and were strategically placed to relieve pressure on the dam.
Minnesota National Guard crew chief, Sgt. Jake Neutjens, Company B, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment (GSAB), hangs out of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter grabbing the cables for hooking up a 5-ton water pump, vicinity Bourbanis Dam, Pembina County, N.D., May 6, 2022.
Capt. Eric Edwardson, N.D. National Guard liaison to Pembina County emergency manager, center, assists Sgt. 1st Class Andrew McGilivray, Company B, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, Minnesota National Guard, in hooking up a 5-ton water pump to a Minnesota Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter vicinity Bourbanis Dam, Pembina County, N.D., May 6, 2022.
Per U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center, the CH-47 Chinook helicopter's max external sling-load capacity is 26,000 (13 tons). The N.D. Army National Guard doesn't have any of these heavy lift aircraft in their inventory.
The sling-load operation began at approximately noon and was wrapped up by 2:30 p.m.
The Minnesota National Guard also assisted North Dakota during state-wide flooding in 2009.
A Minnesota National Guard Chinook helicopter transports one-ton sandbags for placement at the spill-way of the Clausen Springs Dam, near the city of Kathryn, N.D., April 15, 2009. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing)
Wildland Firefighter Certification
Nineteen N.D. National Guard Soldiers completed their wildland firefighter certification training, provided by the N. D. Forest Service and the N.D. Department of Emergency Services, May 1, 2022. (National Guard story by 1st Lt. Cody Zikmund, N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters)
Randy Jacobson, N.D. Department of Emergency Services, instructs N.D. National Guard Soldiers on how to use a fire hydrant as part of their wildland firefighting certification at Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, May 1, 2022. (National Guard photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Randy Jacobson, N.D. Department of Emergency Services, instructs N.D. National Guard Soldiers on how to clear a fire hydrant as part of their wildland firefighter certification at Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, May 1, 2022.
The Incident Qualification Card, referred to as a Red Card, is a national certification that ensures that Guard members are qualified to assist at the scene of a wildland fire. N.D. Guard members are preparing to support any wildland fire assistance during the 2022 fire season as they did in 2021.
Pete Warmuth, N.D. Forest Service, provides an overview of the equipment on their emergency service vehicles during the wildland firefighting certification at Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, May 1, 2022. (National Guard photo by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Pfc. Grant Skager trains on how to adjust the nozzle of the hose during wildland firefighter certification at Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, May 1, 2022. (National Guard photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. Natioanl Guard Public Affairs Office)
Spc. Matthew Aberle adjusts the nozzle of the hose during wildland firefighter certification training at Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, May 1, 2022. (National Guard photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
sappers train with Demo
On April 30, 2002, the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper) descended upon a wet and sloppy range to train with demolitions at Camp Grafton South, near Devils Lake, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Mike Wing, 818th Engineer Company)
Although the weather threw cold wind, stinging rain, pelting sleet, and eventually sloppy snow in an attempt to deter these Sappers, nothing was going to stand in their way of completing their training. Through the cold and the mud, they were able to push through and come out with a sparkling wide grin on the other side.
Sgt. William Holloway, 818th Engineer Company (Sapper), demonstrates the proper technique to emplace a claymore mine at the Camp Grafton South demo range while Soldiers from 2nd Platoon observe.
Arctic Symposium 2022
Senior leaders from the North Dakota Air and Army National Guard attended Arctic Symposium 2022 (AAS22) in Anchorage, AK. (National Guard story by Col. Brock Larson, N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters)
AAS22 is a signature event hosted by the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies that features a wide variety of U.S. and international Arctic leaders and subject matter experts focused on a broad range of Arctic security issues. Alaska Command’s Arctic Symposium and Arctic Senior Leader Summit are provided in support of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and serve to fulfill ALCOM’S engagement-oriented tasks associated with being USNORTHCOM’s lead for Arctic Affairs.
As a member of the National Guard Arctic Interest Council, the event provided N.D. National Guard senior leaders an opportunity to gain a unique understanding of security issues in the Arctic and build a network across the DoD and interagency.
Professional Development at Arlington Cemetery
The 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th ADA) conducted professional development with a tour through the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C., April 22, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by 1st Lt. Jake Kipp, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment)
Professional development provides Soldiers the chance to learn things beyond basic Soldier tasks and skills. The tour of the Cemetery is an excellent opportunity to learn about the history of the U.S. military, including the cost that service members, their families, and their friends pay in the defense of their country.
The tour was led by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jamison Bowman, Senior Army Chaplain at the Arlington National Cemetery. The N.D. National Guard Soldiers started in the oldest section of the cemetery, moving up to the former estate of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and then on to where the only civilians are buried in Arlington in section 27. The tour ended where the chaplains who have passed away in wars and who have held the position of Chief of Chaplains are laid to rest.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jamison Bowman, Senior Army Chaplain at the Arlington National Cemetery, begins the tour for the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment's Professional Development, in front of the amphitheater in the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C., April 22, 2022.
Following the tour, the Soldiers of the 1-188th ADA were allowed to visit the Casson Stables, the home of the Soldiers of the Caisson platoon of the 3rd United States Infantry "The Old Guard" and their horses, who have the solemn honor of carrying fallen Soldiers to their final resting place.
A Soldier from the Caisson platoon of the "The Old Guard", leading in two of the horses after a funeral mission, Arlington National Cemetery Washington D.C., April 22, 2022.
A Son Remembers
George Luz Jr. spoke about his memories of his father and the famed Easy Company, Band of Brothers mini-series, at Bismarck State College, May 2, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. Visual Information Office)
George Luz Jr., a guest of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1419 and Bismarck State College provided a fascinating account of not only his father, but the other members of his unit using photos, video and sound bytes from his presentation.
Technician 4th Grade George Luz, Sr. was a non-commissioned officer who served with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1942 and later joined the paratroopers.
George Luz, Sr., participated in combat jumps on June 6, 1944 at the D-Day landing (Normandy) and Operation Market Garden, September 1944. Later he served in the Battle of the Bulge, Nazi German's last major offensive of World War II, December 1944. He passed away in October 1998.
Col. Debra Lien, chief of staff, N.D. Army National Guard, presents a N.D. National Guard recognition coin to George Luz Jr. in appreciation of his presentation, Bismarck State College, May 2, 2022.
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