Guard celebrates Groundbreaking for Fargo Readiness Center
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new National Guard Readiness Center in Fargo on Aug. 14. This facility will house units of 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) at a cost of $32 million and will be completed by June 2021. Click for ceremony video: Top photo: Participating in the traditional sod-cutting during the groundbreaking ceremony is Col. Jon Erickson, commander, 141st MEB; Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, assistant adj. general – Army; Maj. Gen. (Retired) Michael J. Haugen, former adjutant general; Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, N.D. National Guard - Army commander; Sen. John Hoeven; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general; Sen. Kevin Cramer; Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney; and Mr. Tim Zerr, Zerr-Berg Architects.
Hooligan Airmen train for EMT certification
N.D. Air National Guard's Aerospace Medical Technicians participated in the N.D. Army National Guard’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, which Airmen call Tactical Combat Casualty Care at Camp Grafton Training Center on Aug 9. Airmen and Soldiers trained by treating simulated injuries and were subjected to stringent skills evaluation for medical career field requirements. Medical readiness is critical for force sustainment.
Staff Sgt. Kally Anderson, 119th Medical Group, applies medical treatment to a simulated injury on Spc. Tallysa Caruful, of the 188th Engineer Company, as Maj. Shelly Bartow observes during Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training on Aug 9.
Camp Grafton Hosts Open House
Nearly 250 people attended an open house hosted by Camp Grafton Training Center at Camp Grafton South on Aug. 10. This is expected to become an annual event to engage with local visitors to showcase the N.D. Guard's training areas and equipment. The guests were treated to aircraft static displays, weapons demonstrations, boat rides and Raven demonstration. Good relations with our neighbors is essential to our mission success.
Army Band Performs at Fargo's Annual Jass Fest
Members of the 188th Army Band's Jazz Ensemble performed during the 25th Annual Jass Festival on Aug. 11, at the El Zagal Shrine in Fargo. This group offers a full classic big-band sound and features five saxophones, five trombones and five trumpets in addition to a full-rhythm section. The group performs traditionally big-band jazz and contemporary styles of show tunes. The 188th Army Band are great ambassadors of the N.D. National Guard.
Staff Sgt. Lynne Krug performs "As Long As I'm Singing," with the Jazz Ensemble.
Behind the Success of our North Dakota Marksmen
Ever wonder why the North Dakota National Guard's rifle and pistol teams can bring home top honors at Region VI Marksmanship for eight consecutive years? Contributing to this success is the Adjutant General’s match which allows our marksmen to sharpen their skills. This annual competition is possible because of all of the people behind the scenes; Soldiers who volunteer to undertake the extremely important but often underappreciated jobs upon whom all the shooters rely.
News release: N.D. Guard Members Excel at Regional Marksmanship Match
Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Gensburger sets up targets at range at Camp Grafton Training Center south.
For five days in July when temperatures threaten to reach 100 degrees, 11 Soldiers and one retiree maintained and prepared targets, policed areas and configured ranges. When not managing the event to ensure everything ran smoothly and enforcing the strictest range safety protocols, they were repairing damaged targets.
Photo: 1st Sgt. Joseph Wesson repairs damaged targets.