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TAG Line March 27, 2023

The N.D. National Guard's 2022 Year in Review plays as guests at the Governor's Military Ball enjoy their meal, Bismarck, N.D., March 18, 2023. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

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Governor’s Military Ball

The North Dakota Governor’s Military Ball was held on March 18, 2023 at the Radisson Inn in downtown Bismarck. About 220 N.D. National Guard members, spouses, friends and other civilian guests attended this formal event. (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The 188th Army Band Brass Quintet provided patriotic music before the formal portion of the event. The Bismarck Mandan Northern Lights Chorus performed the national anthem as well as each military branch’s official service songs. The emcee led traditional military toasts which included a tribute to POW/MIAs and a rendering of Taps.

The 188th Army Band's Brass Quintet performs a patriotic selection of music at the 2023 Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023. (National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The formal portion of the program included remarks by Gov. Doug Burgum, commander in chief of the North Dakota National Guard, and presentation of awards.

“The incredible work that is being done, both here and abroad, by our North Dakota National Guard doesn’t go unnoticed,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. “We’re grateful that night after night, day after day, the call to duty by this group and our communities across the state who support them has always been met, and met at the highest level.”

Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson renders the invocation at the Governor's Military Ball, Bismarck, N.D., March 18, 2023.

Maj. Alan Roehrich, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, left, and his brother 1st Sgt. Robert Roerich, 188th Engineer Company, at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck.

The Bismarck Mandan Northern Lights Chorus prepares to perform the national anthem at the Governor's Military Ball, Bismarck, N.D., March 18, 2023. The chorus also performed each military branch’s official service song.

Soldiers stand at attention as the Bismarck Mandan Northern Lights Chorus performs the Army Song at the Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023.
Airmen stand at attention as the Bismarck Mandan Northern Lights Chorus performs the Air Force Song at the Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023.

Master of ceremony 1st Lt. Chelsy Adams describes the significance of the POW/MIA table (center) at the Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Landman, 188th Army Band, performs taps during a tribute to POW/MIAs at the Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023.
Guests at the Governor's Military Ball listen to the master of ceremonies, Bismarck, N.D., March 18, 2023.

Governor’s Military Ball Recognizes Achievement

After the formal dinner at the Governor's Military Ball, Gov. Doug Burgum and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann rendered remarks before the recognition portion of the event.

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, renders remarks at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023.

Gov. Doug Burgum renders remarks at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

Left to right, Gov. Doug Burgum, commander in chief of the North Dakota National Guard; Sgt. Deyton Slama, 817th Engineer Company; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general; and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, N.D. National Guard's senior enlisted leader, at the Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023. Slama won the N.D. Army National Guard's 2022 Best Warrior Competition (NCO category).

North Dakota Army National Guard’s 2022 Best Warrior Competition Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Category: Winner: Sgt. Deyton Slama, 817th Engineer Company. Runner-up: Sgt. Benjamin Snyder, 818th Engineer Company.

Soldier Category: Winner: Sgt. Sean Jones, North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion. Runner-up: Spc. Gannon Miller, 818th Engineer Company.

Gov. Doug Burgum, right, congratulates Spc. Gannon Miller, 818th Engineer Company, the N.D. Army National Guard’s 2022 Best Warrior Competition Soldier Runner-up at the Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023.
Gov. Doug Burgum, left, stands with Sgt. Sean Jones, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck. Jones was the winner in the N.D. Army National Guard's 2022 Best Warrior Competition - Soldier category. From left Burgum, Jones, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Maguson, senior enlisted leader.

Gov. Doug Burgum, right, congratulates Sgt. Benjamin Snyder, 818th Engineer Company, at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck. Snyder was the runner-up in the North Dakota Army National Guard's 2022 Best Warrior Competition - noncommissioned officer category.

Gov. Doug Burgum, left, stands with Maj. Alan Roehrich, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. Roerich was named the 2022 North Dakota Army National Guard's Field Grade Officer of the Year. From left Burgum, Roehrich, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Maguson, senior enlisted leader.

Gov. Doug Burgum, commander in chief of the North Dakota National Guard, congratulates Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Mahon, 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment. Mahon was named the 2023 National Guard Association of North Dakota Warrant Officer of the Year at the Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023.

2023 National Guard Association of North Dakota Awards

  • Warrant Officer of the Year: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Mahon, 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment
  • Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year: 1st Lt. Cody Chick, 119th Mission Support Group
  • Army National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Connor Kelley, 426th Signal Company
  • Air National Guard Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Daniel Sly, 119th Mission Support Group
  • Army National Guard Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Alan Roerich, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment
Gov. Doug Burgum, left, stands with 1st Lt. Cody Chick, 119th Mission Support Group, at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. Chick was named the N.D. Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year. From left Burgum, Chick, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Maguson, senior enlisted leader.
Gov. Doug Burgum, left, stands with Capt. Connor Kelley, 426th Signal Company, at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. Kelley was named the 2022 N.D. Army National Guard's Company Grade Officer of the Year. From left Burgum, Roehrich, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Maguson, senior enlisted leader.
Gov. Doug Burgum, left, stands with Maj. Daniel Sly, 119th Mission Support Group, at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. Sly was named the North Dakota Air National Guard Field Grade Officer of the Year. From left Burgum, Sly, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Maguson, senior enlisted leader.

Gov. Doug Burgum, left, stands with Sgt. 1st Class Chuck Votava, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. Votava earned the Roughrider award. From left Burgum, Miller, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Maguson, senior enlisted leader.

Gov. Doug Burgum, left, stands with members of the Mahoney Family at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D. The Mahoneys earned the 2022 North Dakota Army National Guard Family of the Year.

Gov. Doug Burgum, left, stands with the N.D. National Guard Youth Volunteer of the Year Hailey McEvers, at the Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023. From left, Burgum, McEvers, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general; and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, N.D. National Guard's senior enlisted leader,

Josie Stockie received the Legendary award at the event. Josie served as leader of the Family Readiness Group during the 2021-2022 deployment of about 225 Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment to the National Capital Region.

From left, Gov. Doug Burgum; Legendary Awardee, Josie Stockie; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general; and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, N.D. National Guard's senior enlisted leader, at the Governor's Military Ball in Bismarck, March 18, 2023.

Gov. Doug Burgum, left, stands with representatives of Kramer Chevrolet and Subaru, at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

The car dealership was presented with the N.D. National Guard Bridge Builder Award in recognition of more than a decade of support to the N.D. National Guard Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund which directly benefits Guard Soldiers and Airmen in need.

Gov. Doug Burgum places the North Dakota National Guard's Alway Ready, Aways There Award on Connie Sprynczynatyk at the Governor's Military Ball, March 18, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

Sprynczynatyk was presented this award in recognition for her exemplary support to the military to include serving as North Dakota’s Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army from 2011 to 2021.

From the Field Campaign Photos

Check it out! We've got a ton of great submitted photos from the N.D. National Guard's "From the Field" campaign. (National Guard story by 1st Lt. Bruce Shields Jr., N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Airmen assess a controlled burning aircraft situation from a distance, March 22, 2023. The 119th Wing's Aircraft Burn Simulator at the Regional Training Site (RTS) in Fargo is one of four facilities in the nation to offer this high-tech training. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Tyler Vandevelde, 119th Operational Support Squadron)

Sgt. Riley Marquardt, hoist operator, guides the cable for Staff Sgt. Colton Belmore, flight paramedic, Fargo, N.D., Mar 20, 2023. The UH-72A Lakota helicopter flight crew of Lt. Col. Michael Green and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Alex Walth, were practicing personnel extraction in support of emergency flood response operations. (Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 3, Scott Dickmeyer, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment)

Soldiers of the 131st Military Police Battalion, Bismarck, conduct Military Decision-Making Process step 4 (review available assets and identify resource shortfalls) in a War Gaming Exercise, March 21, 2023. (Photo by Sgt. Maj. Jake Hahne, J5/9 operations sergent major)

Check back next week for more images from our Soldiers and Airmen.

Legislator Engagement

N.D. State Representatives toured Fraine Barracks to learn more about the capabilities of the Joint Operations Center (JOC), 81st Civil Support Team (CST) and N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), Bismarck, March 23, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Participating in the three-hour event orientation tour were North Dakota Representatives Bernie Satrom, Clair Cory, Clayton Fegley, Karen Karls, Nico Rios and Patrick Hatlestad. The tour began in building 400 with briefings on the 81st CST and the JOC.

Maj. Jay Sheldon, N.D. National Guard strategy and policy officer, far left, answers questions about flood and wildland fire response, Bismarck, March 23, 2023.

The JOC is a jointly (Army and Air National Guard members) operated entity which serves as the adjutant general's command and control platform to direct, plan, monitor and guide all aspects of N.D. National Guard forces in support of emergency response.

N.D. State Representatives are briefed about the command monitor wall in the Joint Operations Center, Bismarck, March 23, 2023.

After the JOC orientation, the group visited the 81st CST garage to view the trucks, equipment and tools used for chemical and biological response.

Cpt. Jacob Sommerfeld, Survey Team Leader, briefs N.D. State Representatives on 81st Civil Support Team equipment, Bismarck, March 23, 2023.

Maj. Aaron Norgaard, 81st Civil Support Team medical operations officer, explains the mobile lab capabilities to N.D. State Representatives in Bismarck, March 23, 2023.

1st Sgt. Jesse Handegard, 81st Civil Support Team, explains to to N.D. State Representatives how the communication truck keeps them connected even during worst-case scenario responses, Bismarck, March 23, 2023.

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, meets with N.D. State Representatives at the State Emergency Operations Center. Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., March 23, 2023.

To complete the tour Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, met with the N.D. State Representatives to provide briefings on NDDES' divisions of Homeland Security and State Radio operate.

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, meets with N.D. State Representatives in Bismarck, March 23, 2023.

Combat Medic Sustainment Training

N.D. and Minnesota Guard National Soldiers attended the U.S. Army Combat Medic (68W) Paramedic Sustainment Course, hosted by 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, Fargo, N.D., March 22, 2023. The participating medics boasted an outstanding 100% pass rate.

U.S. Army Combat Medics (Military Occupational Specialty 68W) are required to maintain certification as a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician. This course offered necessary sustainment training and skills for this certification. This included the certification courses of Basic Life Support (BLS)- Healthcare Provider CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (PALS), Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), and review Paramedic level skills and testing in the areas of cardiology, airway, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology. (National Guard story and photos by 1st Lt. Bruce Shields Jr., N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Ms. Doreen Brass, center left, lead instructor and lecturer at N.D. State University's Simulation Education for the Nursing Program, discusses emergency medical procedures with National Guard medical personnel, Fargo, N.D., March 22, 2023. From left, Staff Sgt. Autumn Nelson-Hartun, 817th Engineer Company (Sapper); Brass; Spc. Makenzie Kotchman, Company D, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment; and Sgt. Ryan Rushton, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment (Air Ambulance) of St. Cloud, Minnesota.

"the opportunity to be a part of the advanced provider course here in North Dakota was phenomenal," said Staff Sgt. Autumn Nelson-Hartun.

Sgt. Ryan Rushton, Minnesota National Guard, enjoyed the course and looks forward to applying these skills in a real-world scenario with his wife who is 28 weeks pregnant.

"I learned the birthing process and how to deliver a child under the stressors of keeping a spouse calm while managing my emotions as well," Sgt. Ryan Rushton stated.
Simulation in motion of North Dakota (SIM-ND) provided manikins which were mechanically operated for real life effects, Fargo, N.D., March 22,2023.

Assisting in teaching were Linda King, SIM-ND Coordinator and Vascular Access Nurse as well as Kayla Shaw, EMS teacher and flight paramedic. SIM-ND is a statewide, mobile education system using high-fidelity human patient simulators to train pre-hospital and hospital personnel.

Instructors talk through scenarios and keep a watchful eye, as Soldiers perform initial response questioning with a manikin patient, Fargo, N.D. March 22, 2023. After every practical exercise, instructors led a discussion of what went right and what could have improved.

It also included Aviation Standard Medical Operating Guidelines (SMOG), high fidelity simulation manikin training, mechanical ventilation and support using a ventilator, manual defibrillation, prolonged field care, Joint Trauma System Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG), Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3), packing a ground patient for hoist or aeromedical evacuation, and more. This course provided top-notch training and sustaining practices for the 68w Paramedics to bring back to their formations ultimately leading to the better Soldier care.

Bataan Memorial Death March

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March, a 26.2 mile march through the desert terrain of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, March 19, 2023. One Soldier participated in the 14 mile, half-marathon and 14 others completed the total 26.2 miles. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment in the Bataan Memorial Death March at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, March 19, 2023.

The Bataan Death March occurred in 1942, when about 63,000 Filipino and 12,000 American troops on the Bataan Peninsula of the Philippine island of Luzon were forced to march 65 miles to prison camps. Thousands died. The memorial march is held to honor the sacrifice of the service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II and the many who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment in the Bataan Memorial Death March at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, March 19, 2023.

Those who marched on Sunday also carried the names of fallen service members as part of Memories of Honor, a nonprofit that believes that our fallen and their families deserve to be honored, remembered, and recognized every day of the year.

Group photo of the soldiers from 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment who participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, March 19, 2023.

N.D. VETERANS CEMETERY FOUNDATION

Members of the N.D. Veterans Cemetery Foundation (NDVCF) met at Fraine Barracks, March 17, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Among the topics discussed a cemetery and columbarium updates as well as other upcoming projects and events for the cemetery. The date of the columbarium groundbreaking will be announced later this spring.

Members of the N.D. Veterans Cemetery Foundation meet at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., March 17, 2023.

End of Tour recognition

Rear Adm. Milton Sands III, commander, Special Operations Command Africa, U.S. Special Operations Command, presided an award ceremony for Maj. Jarrod Simek, Bi-lateral Officer, at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana, March 13, 2023.

MAJ Jarrod Simek was awarded Defense Meritorious Service for working on behalf of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Sept. 2020 thru Feb. 2023 as the NDNG Bilateral Affairs Officer for Ghana, Togo and Benin in U.S. Embassy, Accra.

Rear Admiral Milton Sands III, Commander, Special Operations Command Africa, U.S. Special Operations Command, presents Maj. Jarrod Simek, Bi-lateral Officer, with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal during a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana, March 15, 2023.

Promotion

Col. Greg McDonald, J2, director of Intelligence and Security, presided over a promotion ceremony for A.J. Christiansen, intelligence officer, at the Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., March 22, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Col. Greg McDonald, J2 director of Intelligence and Security, administers the oath of office to newly promoted Maj. A.J. Christiansen, J-2 intelligence officer, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., March 22, 2023.

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Charles Highland
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