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TAG Line March 6, 2023

119th Wing maintainers work on MQ-9 Reaper in preparation for takeoff during Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 12, 2023. Cope North is an annual field training exercise that allows each partner nation participant to hone vital readiness skills while enhancing interoperability among multiple mission areas to include air superiority, interdiction, electronic warfare, tactical airlift, and aerial refueling capabilities. (National Guard photo by Senior Airman Christa Anderson)

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Exercise Cope North

U.S. Air National Guard 119th and 132nd Wings, along with the Royal Australian Air Force, French Air and Space Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to a search and rescue tasking while participating in Exercise Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (National Guard story by Senior Airman Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)

The SAR mission began on Feb. 8, 2023, when the Coast Guard received a mayday call for a 42-foot vessel with three people on board. The call revealed the vessel, Senior Dung, located between Rota and Guam, was taking on water. The caller reported three people on the vessel, and communication was lost while gathering information from the caller.

“We had to pivot our mission planning and conduct real-world operations working with the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Capt. Brant Archer, an MQ-9 Reaper pilot liaison officer of the Iowa Air Guard's 132nd Wing out of Des Moines, Iowa. “We were able to integrate ourselves within the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, Joint Rescue Sub-Center command to provide the needed feedback and coordination, with the Mission Control Element conducting the mission stateside. We were able to coordinate with other assets including the Australians, France, and Coast Guard assets on the ground and the air to coordinate scans to search the area we were assigned effectively.”

Integration is one of the main focuses of Cope North, and it was an essential piece of coordination in conducting the real-world search and rescue mission.

A 119th Wing MQ-9 Reaper flys over the airfield during Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 21, 2023.

A 119th Wing MQ-9 Reaper unmanned Aircraft shows infrared image of canoe off the coast of West Fayu Island, during Search and Rescue mission in the Federated States of the Micronesia, Feb. 17, 2023.
A 119th Wing MQ-9 Reaper displays a canoe off the coast of West Fayu Island,during Search and Rescue mission in the Federated States of the Micronesia on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.

Lieutenant Ben Calaman, of the Royal Australian Air Force, aboard a C-27J Spartan, briefs a Search and Rescue mission with a N.D. National Guard Airman of the 119th Operations Group, Feb. 12, 2023.

From left to right, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Daniel Hernadez of the 1st Combat Camera Squadron listens as Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan pilot Flight Lieutenant Toby Richter briefs a joint Search and Rescue mission supporting the U.S. Coast Guard near Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 12 2023.

The combined team conducted more than 26 search patterns over more than 96 hours, saturating an area of more than 7,566 square nautical miles. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the active search for the missing mariner from the vessel Senior Dung at sunset on Feb. 12.

Original story at: Forces join together for a Search and Rescue mission.

Maintaining Community Relations

Members of the N.D. National Guard met with the Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee (MAC), Feb. 22, 2023, Fargo, N.D. The MAC is chaired by the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade's (MEB) honorary commander, Brian Shawn. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Lucas Klettke, officer in charge, 141st MEB)

The Chamber’s MAC fosters a community of support for the men and women of our military and the missions they support. Commander updates from the 141 MEB and 119th Wing were provided to help the MAC raise awareness in the community and provide opportunities for the community to thank service members. The Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo communities and employers are great supporters of the National Guard.

(Photo courtesy of Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo Chamber of Commerce)

Senior National Guard representatives were Col. Mitch Johnson, commander 119th Wing and Lt. Col. Lucas Klettke, officer in charge, 141st MEB. Maj. Jay Sheldon, N.D. National Guard's strategy and policy officer provided a legislative update on bills that impact military service members.

(Photo courtesy of Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo Chamber of Commerce)

Updating Grand Forks Officials

Col. Brock Larson, J-5/9 director, Col. Ryan Ayers, director of staff - Air, and Maj. Alan Roerich, commander of the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, met city and county officials from Grand Forks at the N.D. Heritage Center in Bismarck, March 3, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The event opened with a briefing on how the N.D. National Guard is preparing, training and modernizing for the future. Afterwards they discussed N.D. state legislative bill initiatives of interest to military members within the state. Other topics included the relationship between the National Guard and the Grand Forks community, the role of the Grand Forks - East Grand Forks Chamber Military Affairs Committee, and the relationship between the Fargo-based 119th Wing and the Grand Forks Air Force Base. The Grand Forks area continues to be a strong supporter of the military.

Col. Ryan Ayers, director of staff - Air, center left, speaks to state officials on the relationship between the 119th Wing and Grand Forks Air Force Base at the N.D. Heritage Center and Museum in Bismarck, March 3, 2023.

Also discussed was proposed legislation that would exempt military pay from North Dakota state taxes for a member of the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty, member of the national guard, or reserve member of the armed forces of the United States, to the extent that military pay is included in North Dakota taxable income of the taxpayer. For purposes of this subdivision, "military pay" includes all federal training, education, mobilization, and bonuses and state pay when called to support an emergency on state active duty.

Col. Brock Larson, J-5/9 director, center, discusses N.D. state legislation bills of interest to military members at the N.D. Heritage Center and Museum in Bismarck, March 3, 2023. From left, Col. Ryan Ayers, director of staff - Air; Larson; and Maj. Alan Roerich, commander of the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.

Arizona Retirees Meet

The Arizona Retiree Breakfast and Gathering was a success, Feb. 16, 2023, Mesa Arizona. (Story and photos courtesy of Col. (R) Greg Wilz)

There were 50 registered participants and a couple of walk-ins. Many arrived early to have extra time for visiting. After the event some retirees met up at private residences to continue visiting and telling tall tales of past military exploits.

The Arizona Retiree Breakfast and Gathering, Feb. 16, 2023, Mesa Arizona.

The Arizona Retiree Breakfast and Gathering, Feb. 16, 2023, Mesa Arizona.

Maj. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, was scheduled to attend but unable to make the trip, but provided an update presentation via ZOOM. The retirees also enjoyed a TRICARE benefits update from Ms. Ashley Timian, as well as the latest info of Survivor Benefit Plan open window, and Long-Term Health Insurance.

The group held a straw poll to approve new leadership for the event and scheduled next year's event for the week after Super Bowl Sunday at the Apache Wells Country Club.

AFRICOM Chief of Defense Conference

The second annual U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Chief of Defense Conference was held Feb. 27 to March 2, 2023, Rome, Italy. (National Guard story and photo by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)

This event gathered representatives of 42 African nations along with eight state adjutants general associated with the State Partnership Program (SPP). The N.D. National Guard partner nations of Ghana, Togo, and Benin were represented at the conference.

Left to right, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general; and Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa/Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples, at the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Chief of Defense Conference, Rome, Italy Feb. 27, 2023.

The conference successfully brought senior leaders together to discuss various aspects of SPP. Other key participants included Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa/Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples. Munsch graduated from Oakes High School, Oakes, North Dakota.

African Alumni Symposium

Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson, N.D. National Guard state chaplain, recently participated in the African Alumni Symposium, Feb. 26 to March 2, 2023, at Carlisle, Penn., home of the U.S. Army War College. (National Guard story Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson, N.D. National Guard state chaplain)

This event, hosted by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the U.S. Army War College is a key multilateral engagement intended to strengthen partnerships through dialogue and cooperation with our African military partners who are alumni of U.S. military education schools.

Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson, N.D. National Guard state chaplain, center, and representatives of N.D.'s State Partnership Program partner nations of Ghana, Benin and Togo, at the N.D. African Alumni Symposium at Carlisle, Penn., home of the U.S. Army War College, Feb. 28, 2023. (Photos courtesy of Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson)

Chaplain (Col) David Johnson, N.D. National Guard state chaplain, center, and Col. William Kwabiah, left, and Brig. Gen. Frederick Ntiri, Ghana Armed Forces, recently participated in African Alumni Symposium at Carlisle, Penn., home of the U.S. Army War College, Feb. 28, 2023.

Also attending the symposium was his friend Lt. Col. Samah Soussou, Togo Armed Forces. Note: The N.D. National Guard is aligned with Togo, Benin and Ghana in The National Guard State Partnership Program.

Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson, N.D. National Guard state chaplain, and Lt. Col. Samah Soussou, Togo Armed Forces, were reunited at the African Alumni Symposium at Carlisle, Penn., home of the U.S. Army War College, Feb. 28, 2023.

Chaplain Johnson, center, was reunited with five of his War College classmates from Cameroon, Togo, Uganda, Liberia, and Benin, at the African Alumni Symposium at Carlisle, Penn., home of the U.S. Army War College, Feb. 28, 2023.

For more information on this event click African Alumni Symposium.

New "ND1000" Program

The N.D. National Guard's (NDNG) "ND1000" incentive program pays N.D. National Guard members $1000 per qualifying new or prior service lead who enlists or accesses into the NDNG as a result of the referring member’s effort, mentorship, and assistance. (National Guard story and graphic by Mr. Jack Sitter, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion marketing specialist)

This state-sponsored incentive program is for N.D. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.

Click for more information the NDARNG ND1000 program or to download the app needed to submit an NDARNG lead. Click here for N.D. Air Guard ND1000 information.

From the Field Campaign

"From the sky to the ground, we've got you covered."

The N.D. National Guard's Task Force Cajetan first marketing campaign, "From the Field", is underway. (National Guard story by 1st Lt. Bruce Shields Jr., N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

This campaign encourages Soldiers and Airmen to submit photos, both past and present, including videos of their National Guard experience. To submit Guard training, battle selfies, awards and great scenery use the QR code below or click on bit.ly/NDNG-FTF. Follow the simple instructions online.

Lt. Col. Nicolette Daschendorf, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Commander, and Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Carrigan, left, pause for a battle selfie, Feb. 24, 2023, Bismarck (photo by Lt. Col. Nicolette Daschendorf). Center: 2nd Lt. Jonathan Kranz, right, 817th Engineer Company receives the Army Achievement Award for being top 10% in Engineer Basic Officer Leadership Course from his company commander, 1st Lt. Ricky Kuhn, Feb. 28, 2023, Jamestown. (Photo by Spc. Kaylan Rai, 817th Engineer Company). Right: 1st Sgt. Shannon Kliniske, Joint Force Headquarters readiness NCO, continues the trend of posing for a battle selfie, Feb. 23, 2023, Bismarck.

Check back next week for awards, selfies, and action shots from our Soldiers and Airmen!

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Created By
Charles Highland
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