Soldiers of the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment pose for a final photo before departing their base in Syria, May 15, 2022. The team worked on multiple projects with a U.S. Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Detachment, who created the special effects behind them. (Courtesy photo)
Exercise Valiant Shield
Exercise Valiant Shield 2022 included MQ-9 Reaper aircraft in exercise operations for the first time, May 25, 2022, through June 20, 2022, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The 119th Wing, N.D. Air National Guard, and the 174th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard, launched, flew and, recovered MQ-9 Reaper aircraft to provide mission-critical awareness during the exercise. (National Guard story and photos by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing)
Members of the 119th Wing assemble an MQ-9 Reaper aircraft for exercise Valiant Shield at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, May 26, 2022.
Valiant Shield 2022 was a 12-day joint field training exercise (FTX) aimed to enhance integration between U.S. Military forces by conducting joint operations at sea, on land, in the air, and in cyberspace.
Members of the 119th Wing adjust propeller weight during MQ-9 Reaper pre-flight checks at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Valiant Shield May 27.
This exercise provided an opportunity for the MQ-9 Reaper enterprise members to partner together and make a difference while providing dynamic force employment, and maritime domain awareness in a new location. Members of the 119th Wing and 174th Attack Wing partnered to demonstrate the capabilities of the MQ-9 Reaper in an overseas location.
Pilots and sensor operators from multiple units also participated by flying the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft from ground control stations from bases located within the continental United States.
A 119th Wing aircraft maintainer adjusts the propeller of an MQ-9 Reaper as part of pre-flight checks at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Valiant Shield May 27, 2022.
“It’s the first time we have had the MQ-9 participate in dynamic force employment in the heart of Indo-Pacific Command which makes this a significant exercise,” said a sensor operator of the 119th Wing participating in the exercise.
The MQ-9 is essential to providing awareness that other aircraft cannot. With its extensive loiter time and sensor capabilities, the MQ-9 is a highly capable aircraft that gives insight that others are not able to.
A 119th Wing aircraft maintainer adjusts the propeller of an MQ-9 Reaper as part of pre-flight checks at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Valiant Shield May 27, 2022.
“One example of the MQ-9 Reaper providing maritime domain awareness for Exercise Valiant Shield was a simulated kill-chain exercise where the MQ-9 was able to identify, target, and track the asset by using full-motion video (FMV) and disseminating intelligence of a tier 1 target. Without the MQ-9 being in this kill-chain exercise, it would not have gone well and it would have been unsuccessful without our capabilities,” said 119th Wing MQ-9 pilot 1, participating in the exercise.
Pilot 1 said that it is important for us to communicate what capabilities we can provide through the use of the MQ-9 Reaper to other entities who are not familiar with the aircraft. Exercise Valiant Shield allowed us to partner with new groups and explain how our technology provides a significant impact in this theater.
Members of the 119th Maintenance Squadron watch an F-18 aircraft launch as they work on a 119th Wing MQ-9 Reaper aircraft at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Valiant Shield, June 7, 2022
“One of the key takeaways has been learning what it actually means to team build,” said 119th Wing MQ-9 Pilot 2, participating in the exercise. “It has been incredible to see how the team has come together and succeeded in some very challenging tasks,” he added.
Members of the 174th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard, and the 119th Maintenance Squadron, N.D. Air National Guard, work on their respective MQ-9 Reaper aircraft at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Valliant Shield, June 7, 2022.
Exercise Valiant Shield has been a success in bringing units together to show the capabilities that the MQ-9 Reaper provides with maritime domain awareness, FMV, Maritime Wide-area Augmentation System (MWAS), as well as providing an opportunity to test new capabilities to ensure the viability of the MQ-9 in support of the newly released National Defense Strategy.
Earthquake Response Exercise in Ghana
The N.D. National Guard's (NDNG) State Partnership Program (SPP) collaborated with the Ghana National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to conduct Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", an interagency earthquake response exercise. Scheduled from June 21 to 23, 2022, this was the largest bilateral exercise conducted through the NDNG SPP. (National Guard story, video, and photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Ghanaian agencies included the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Armed Forces (48 Engineer Regiment), National Ambulance Service, Ghana Police Service, National Communications Authority, Ghana Health Service, the Geological Survey Authority, and the Volta River Authority.
Seji Saji, Ghana National Disaster Management Organization deputy director, wearing red, and Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program director, give a safety brief before the exercise begins, Tema, Ghana, June 21, 2022.
To prepare for the emergency response tactical exercises, members of the NDNG along with the N.D. Department of Emergency Services traveled to Ghana to conduct a week of academic training focusing on Incident Command System principles and Emergency Operations Center activities. These best practices help assist the Republic of Ghana and NADMO prepare for an emergency response to a major natural disaster like an earthquake.
The four tactical exercises conducted were each triggered by an earthquake. Each of the first responder agencies got a chance to be the lead agency and serve in the role of Incident Commander as dictated by the scenario. The first responders were the National Ambulance Service, National Police Service, National Fire Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces. The Incident Commander is responsible for coordinating all response activities and serves as the decision-maker during response operations.
Most of the role players for these emergency response operations were portrayed by employees of the National Ambulance Service. Several of the photos of the actors demonstrate their enthusiasm, efforts and commitment to to help create realistic training scenarios for emergency responders.
"These exercises allow each agency to conduct a gap analysis on personnel, training, and equipment,” stated Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program director.
Exercise 1: Tema Canoe Harbor
The first exercise took place at the Tema Canoe Harbor, a heavily used fishing harbor in Ghana, June 21, 2022. The scenario began after a notional earthquake injured several people at the harbor while other people at the scene were panicking, rushing toward anyone who could render assistance. The Ghanaian agencies would have to collaborate to control the panicked crowd, recover victims, and establish a casualty collection point under the guidance of the incident commander from the National Ambulance Service.
This exercise also featured the notional release of potentially hazardous materials, allowing decontamination procedures to be exercised.
A member of the Ghana Police Service stops a man from rushing the National Ambulance Service during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", at the Tema Canoe Harbor, Ghana, June 21, 2022.
After the Ghana Police Service establish a perimeter to help control the crowd, the Ghana National Fire Service and the National Ambulance Service recovered and stabilized the simulated casualties, moving them to a decontamination area and then on to the casualty collection point. From there, the National Ambulance Service could safely triage the injured, provide aid and move victims into ambulances as needed.
Members of the Ghana National Fire Service in HAZMAT gear locate and recover victims as Soldiers of the N.D. National Guard observe during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", at the Tema Canoe Harbor, Ghana, June 21, 2022.
Members of the Ghana National Fire Service decontaminate victims with water so the National Ambulance Service can safely interact with them during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", Tema Canoe Harbor, Ghana, June 21, 2022.
Members of the Ghana National Disaster Management Organization, in tan and orange, with a member of the Ghana National Fire Service in orange HAZMAT protective gear, and a member of the National Ambulance Service, stabilize a survivor during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", at the Tema Canoe Harbor, Ghana, June 21, 2022.
The Incident Commander for the first tactical exercise, Mohammad Mashud, left, National Ambulance Service, conducts an after-action review with retired N.D. National Guard 1st Sgt. Steve Kilde, during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", at the Tema Canoe Harbor, Ghana, June 21, 2022.
Exercise 2: Tema Fish Market
The second exercise was conducted at a fish market near Tema Canoe Harbor, June 21, 2022. In this scenario, a group of people staged a disruption that blocked the National Ambulance Service from entering the fish market to provide medical assistance to the earthquake victims inside. For this exercise, the Ghana Police Service functioned as the Incident Commander, providing oversight, security, and control of the situation.
The Ghana Police Service works to control a group of volunteers pretending to be an unruly crowd in a Tema fish market during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", Ghana, June 21, 2022.
After the disturbance broke out, the Ghana Police Service moved the more aggressive participants away from the fish market. In response, the unruly crowd surged toward the ambulances and began to rock them; the actors pretending to attempt to tip them over. The Ghana Police Service brought out their K9 unit and riot shields and were able to use them to maneuver the crowd away from the National Ambulance Service. The first responders could then move in, collect the injured, and move them to the casualty collection point.
Members of the Ghana National Disaster Management Organization carry a survivor to the casualty collection point inside the tent during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", in a Tema fishing village, Ghana, June 21, 2022.
Exercise 3: George W. Bush Highway
On June 22, 2022, the third exercise took place on the N1 Highway, also known as the George W. Bush Highway, one of the busiest motorways in the country. In this scenario, a truck carrying hazardous material broke down on the highway during the earthquake, causing an accident resulting in several victims. Traffic was rerouted off of the highway to clear the area. Because of the hazardous material threat, the Ghana National Fire Service provided the Incident Commander, working with the other agencies to ensure the safety of the first responders.
During the chaos, a group of volunteers rushed to the vehicle to steal the gas that was pouring out (replaced with water for the exercise). The Ghana Police Service worked to prevent them from stealing the simulated fuel, interfering with first responders, and from harming themselves.
Exercise 4: Rubble Pile
The final exercise was a search and rescue scenario in a rubble pile as a result of a simulated earthquake, June 23, 2022. The Ghana Armed Forces served as the Incident Commander for this engagement, in which a large crowd of panicked bystanders prevented first responders from being able to properly locate, triage, and care for the victims. Many of the victims in the scenario were also notionally trapped under the rubble and needed heavy equipment to free them. The Ghana Armed Forces assisted the Ghana Police Service in controlling the large crowd and also brought search and rescue dogs to assist the first responders in locating the victims.
Sgt. Sam Zezeus, N.D. Army State Medical Detachment, and one of the volunteers find a safe location for him to pretend to be trapped under the rocks during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", Labadi, Ghana, June 23, 2022.
A member of the Ghana National Fire Service is overwhelmed by volunteers pretending to be panicked bystanders, who beg them to rescue their friends and family, during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", Labadi, Ghana, June 23, 2022.
A member of the Ghana National Fire Service is overwhelmed by volunteers pretending to be panicked bystanders, who beg them to rescue their friends and family, during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", Labadi, Ghana, June 23, 2022.
The Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service work together to control the crowd of volunteers pretending to be in distress and prevent them from overwhelming first responders during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", Labadi, Ghana, June 23, 2022.
The National Ambulance Service, in blue and green, works with the National Disaster Management Organization to move a victim into an ambulance during Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", Labadi, Ghana, June 23, 2022.
The NDNG and Ghana have formally worked together since 2004 under the SPP, adding partnerships with Ghana's neighbors, Togo and Benin in 2014. These partnerships allow the U.S. to maintain strong relationships with other countries and provides N.D. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen with chances to cross-train with their foreign counterparts and in a variety of training opportunities.
“This was a truly a tremendous emergency response exercise,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general. “The Ghanian first responder agencies and the exercise planners did a professional job, ensuring realistic training scenarios and a positive experience for all the participants. I am also impressed with the efforts of the many volunteers who provided realistic role-playing. Their enthusiasm greatly enhanced the training.”
835th Engineer Deployment
Fifty Soldiers from the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment (EUD) recently returned from their overseas deployment to the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. Over the past nine months, the 835th EUD provided engineer expertise in the areas of carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical, as well as road and runway repair. (National Guard story and photos by Capt. Justin Johnson, 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment)
Sgt. 1st Class Antony Scheen briefs senior leaders on plans to improve fighting positions on a base in Syria, May 10, 2022.
The engineers completed over 130 construction missions on 16 bases spread across six countries. Throughout the deployment the N.D. Army Guard engineers conducted operations in support of three named operations: Operation Spartan Shield, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Allies Welcome.
The 835th EUD conducted a Transfer of Authority ceremony in Kuwait, May 26, 2022. This ceremony formally passed the responsibility of their missions to the incoming unit, the 576th EUD, Virginia National Guard. Over the past nine months, the 835th EUD completed over 130 construction missions and requests for engineer support on 16 bases spread across Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
N.D. Army Guard Aviators Participate in Golden Coyote 22
Thirty-six N.D. National Guard Soldiers assigned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Service and Support), with two UH-72A Lakota helicopters, participated in South Dakota National Guard's annual exercise, Golden Coyote 22, Camp Rapid, S.D., June 11 to 25, 2022. (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Golden Coyote is a three-phase, scenario-driven exercise conducted in South Dakota and Wyoming, enabling commanders to focus on mission essential task requirements, warrior tasks, and battle drills to include Lakota medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) procedures. This training exercise is one of the largest and longest-running National Guard exercises in the nation.
A Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Service and Support) UH-72A Lakota helicopter prepares to land during Golden Coyote 22, Camp Rapid, S.D., June 14, 2022. (National Guard photos by Pfc. Konnor Miles, 982nd Signal Company)
Soldiers assigned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment perform a pre-flight inspection on a UH-72A Lakota helicopter during Golden Coyote 22, Camp Rapid, S.D., June 16, 2022. (National Guard photo by Pvt. Joanna Whittaker, 982nd Signal Company)
Spc. Austin Morris, left, and Spc. Cody Willard, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment perform a pre-flight inspection on a UH-72A Lakota helicopter during Golden Coyote 22, Camp Rapid, S.D., June 16, 2022. (National Guard photo by Pvt. Joanna Whittaker, 982nd Signal Company)
Marshall Fellowship Visit
A group of European foreign guests hosted by the N.D. Department of Commerce visited the N.D. Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, N.D., June 27, 2022. These guests are traveling to various places in the U.S. as part of the Marshall Memorial Fellowship (MMF) program. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The MMF program is named in honor of former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall. The European Recovery Program he proposed in 1947 became known as the Marshall Plan. This program provided foreign aid helping Europe recover from the ravages incurred by World War II.
The objective of the visit by the MMF fellows was to better understand the federal and state roles of the N.D. National Guard and how the organization supports our communities, state, and nation. The guests received an Army aviation capabilities tour of the UH-60M Black Hawk and UH-72A Lakota helicopters, and visited the flight simulator. The group was escorted by Shawn Kessel, deputy commissioner, N.D. Department of Commerce.
Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard public information officer, briefs the Marshall Memorial Fellowship program participants on the N.D. National Guard organization and roles, Army Aviation Support Facility, June 27, 2022.
Maj. Joshua Yri, an instructor pilot, provides Marshall Memorial Fellowship program participants a tour of the Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, June 27, 2022.
Maj. Russ Sundby, commander, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, explains the capabilities of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter to Marshall Memorial Fellowship program participants during a tour of the Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, June 27, 2022.
The Marshall Memorial Fellowship selects about 75 candidates each year from all sectors, including business, government and civil society.
Promotion to Sergeant Major
Kendall Struxness, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, was promoted to sergeant major during a ceremony, Fargo Readiness Center, Fargo, N.D., June 30, 2022. (National Guard story and photo by Maj. Lucas Klettke, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
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