Soldiers and Airmen gathered for the annual TAG (The Adjutant General) Match in a spirited, five-day competition to promote the profession of arms, bring marksmanship fundamentals back to their units to increase their readiness, and improve their lethality at Camp Grafton South. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Contents
- Benin 10th Anniversary
- Togo 10th Anniversary
- General Visit
- US partners with Togo to reinforce country's resilience, natural disaster response
- Memorandum of Agreement
- 119th Civil Engineering Squadron
- SETAF-AF CG visits Ghana medical readiness exercise
- US, Ghana medical staff participate in medical readiness exercise
- Da Guards Podcast
- From the Field Campaign
- Col. Green Promotion
- July 4th Mandan
- Linton 125th Birthday
Benin 10th Anniversary
Delegates from the North Dakota National Guard traveled to Cotonou, Benin, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the State Partnership Program between the state of North Dakota and the Republic of Benin, June 27. Benin was officially selected to partner with North Dakota as part of the SPP in April 2014. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. Michaela Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Attending the event were U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, NDNG adjutant general, Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson, NDNG senior enlisted leader, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Merri Filloon, 119th Wing, command chief.
U.S. Ambassador Brian Shukan, center, addresses the audience at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between North Dakota and the Republic of Benin, June 27, Cotonou, Benin.
“It has been an honor to witness this incredible journey. It has grown into a robust alliance of friendship and collaboration between North Dakota and the Republic of Benin,” said Dohrmann. “Through the State Partnership Program and with the support of U.S. Africa Command, we have achieved significant milestones in disaster readiness over the past decade.”
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 Republic of Benin conducts 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.
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.
Togo 10th Anniversary
The N.D. National Guard celebrated its 10th anniversary between North Dakota and the Republic of Togo through the State Partnership Program on June 26, Lomé, Togo. North Dakota and Togo are one of eighteen partnerships in Africa, starting in 2014. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. Michaela Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
From left, Mr. Michael Ritchie, acting deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Togo, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Strategy, Engagement and Programs director, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, and Mr. Ronald Hawkins, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Togo, stand for the two countries national anthems at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between North Dakota and the Republic of Togo, June 26.
General Visit
The Happy Hooligans welcomed U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Air Combat Command commander, and the First Lady of the ACC, Cindy Wilsbach, and ACC Command Chief Master Sgt. David Wolfe, and Dr. Donial Wolfe to the 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard base in Fargo, N.D. on June 18. (National Guard story by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The visit focused on building relationships and partnerships, showcasing the innovations and achievements of the Wing, and recognizing top performers.
Gen. Wilsbach received a mission briefing from Col. Christopher Domitrovich, 119th Wing commander, and visited the MQ-9 Reaper and the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions.
Cindy Wilsbach and Dr. Wolfe met with the 119th Wing Family Care Team to discuss the issues facing families in the Air National Guard and better understand the unique challenges the Wing’s mission sets present.
Later in the visit, Gen. Wilsbach presented coins to recognize the achievements of three Airmen, Master Sgt. Anthony Coronato of the 119th Maintenace Squadron, Senior Airman Sean Swedlund of the 119th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Squadron, and Master Sgt. Matthew Fraase from the Force Support Squadron.
US partners with Togo to reinforce country's resilience, natural disaster response
Whether it’s devastating floods, wildfires, or powerful storms, Togolese officials are committed to aiding communities impacted by a wide range of potential disasters, and the U.S. government is helping with the delivery of a new facility to help Togo’s ministries and emergency response organizations to better coordinate. (National Guard story and photos by Christopher Gardner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
Senior Togolese officials from the Ministry of Security and the National Civil Protection Agency — called ANPC, based on its official name in French - l'Agence Nationale de la Protection Civile — joined leaders from the U.S. Embassy in Togo, U.S. Africa Command, N.D. National Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to celebrate the start of construction on a new national emergency operations center to improve emergency response coordination for future natural disasters in Togo.
“This really does sum up the commitment that the Republic of Togo has made to disaster preparedness and response and the commitment from the U.S. government and other partners to work together to make sure that first responders in Togo are at their best when the Togolese citizens are suffering the most,” said N.D. National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, speaking on both the project and the partnership that led to it. “Let us continue to strengthen these partnerships and build resilience. Together, we will ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all Togolese citizens.”
Memorandum of Agreement
N.D. State University and the N.D. Air National Guard have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to better serve the research, service, educational, and workforce needs of North Dakota in Fargo, June 28. (National Guard story by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The agreement provides a great opportunity to promote collaboration, research, recruitment, and education in the community.
NDSU will streamline degree pathways for Air National Guard members. The university also will provide professional academic advising support for military members to ensure the best pathway toward degree completion while minimizing disruption while deployed.
119th Civil Engineering Squadron
The 119th Civil Engineering Squadron traveled to the Cherokee Nation Reservation in Oklahoma for a Deployment for Training (DFT) to help build homes for veterans, June 2 to 15. The Hooligan Airmen framed walls and prepared concrete forms for driveways during the deployment. (National Guard story by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
SETAF-AF CG visits Ghana medical readiness exercise
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and Brig. Gen. PK Ayibor, director general, 37th Military Hospital, Ghana Armed Force, and members of the N.D. National Guard Medical Detachment toured a hospital during an official visit as part of a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) on May 23, Accra, Ghana (U.S. story and photos by Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa)
MEDREX is a program held in Ghana in conjunction with African Lion 2024, planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that allow military health professionals from the United States and their African partners to exchange medical practices, procedures, and techniques that build and strengthen treatment capabilities, resulting in lasting relationships between the partners.
United States & Ghana medical staff participate in medical readiness exercise
A U.S. Army medical team from the N.D. Army National Guard State Medical Detachment worked with Ghana Armed Forces medical professionals to treat patients during a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) at 37th Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana, May 27. (U.S. story and photos by Sgt. Kylejian Francia, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa)
Da Guards Podcast
From the Field Campaign
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The Adjutant General's Match
Ghana Promotion
U.S. Army Sgt. Brielle Marman, left, a dental specialist assigned to State Medical Detachment, North Dakota Army National Guard, is promoted to the rank of staff sergeant by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) during a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX), in Accra Ghana, May 23. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Clara Soria-Hernandez)
Col. Green Promotion
U.S. Army Col. Paul Helton, N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, presided over a Col. promotion ceremony for Michael Green, Joint Force Headquarters, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, June 27. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
July 4th Mandan
U.S. Army Spc. Teddy Schulz drives the adjutant general's U.S. Army Jeep as U.S. Air Force Col. Michelle Hagel waves to the crowd during the Mandan 4th of July parade. (National Guard story and photo by Staff Sgt. Sam Knoll, N.D. Visual Information)
Linton 125th Birthday
A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flown by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brent Freeze, Capt. Steve Schaffner and Crew Chief Staff Sgt. Leif Anderson, members of the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation, on the Linton High School football field for the Linton 125th Opening Ceremony event. (National Guard story and photos by Maj. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. Visual Information)
Mayor Dan Imdieke, Retired N.D. Army Guard Chief of Staff Col. Richard Balliet, Bishop Austin Vetter, and guest speaker 125th Committee President Dan Webber open the event in Linton, July 3.
As part of the festivities, attendees had the unique opportunity to get an up-close look at the Black Hawk. This display not only paid tribute to the local heroes who have served but also inspired future generations.
The Linton 125th Planning Committee also had Retired Army Chief of Staff Col. Richard Balliet as the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony.
Balliet, alumnus of Linton, stated during his speech, "The strength of our state and nation lies not in our wealth or military might, but in the resilience and unity of our communities."
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