CST Conducts Joint exercise
The N.D. National Guard’s 81st Civil Support Team (CST) conducted a joint exercise with the North Dakota Highway Patrol and the North Dakota Department of Health state laboratory, Bismarck, N.D., Nov. 17. (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs. National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs)
The exercise scenario began on the N.D. state capitol grounds when the N.D. Highway Patrol requested National Guard assistance in identifying a suspicious package delivered to the governor's office. After the package's contents were identified, the 81st CST transported the contents to the N.D. Department of Health state laboratory for confirmation.
The 81st CST supports civil authorities at domestic incident sites with identification and assessment of hazards, advice to the incident commander, and facilitating follow-on military forces during emergencies and incidents. The CST is capable of detecting and identifying chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives.
North Dakota’s 81st CST team, comprised of 22 full-time Army and Air Force National Guard personnel, was authorized by the Department of Defense in Nov. 2004. Since then, the unit members have participated in intensive technical training and rehearsals to prepare them for their potential missions. In Aug. 2006, the team successfully passed an exercise evaluation conducted by the U.S. Army which validated their readiness to respond.
A warning sign placed inside of the N.D. capitol building, Nov. 17, 2021.
Sergeant Domonic Delaney and Staff Sgt. James Porten enter the governor's office to inspect the suspicious package during a training exercise, Nov. 17, 2021.
Sergeant Domonic Delaney and Staff Sgt. James Porten use detection equipment to inspect the governor's office during a training exercise, Nov. 17, 2021.
Communications Flight Route Cable at Guard Base
Happy Hooligan Communications Flight Airmen work together to route cable at the N.D. Air Guard Base in Fargo, Nov 6, 2021. Members worked together to thread twenty-two hundred feet of cable to a building constructing site on base. (National Guard story by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
U.S. Air Force Ground Communications Master Sgt. Garrett Havens of the 119th Wing, threaded cable into a utility hole at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo N.D., Nov. 6, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson.)
Adjutant general statement on the recent passing of (retired) Brigadier general Al palmer
Major General Al Dohrmann, adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard, issued the following statement on the passing of retired Brig. Gen. Al Palmer, Tuesday, Nov. 16. (National Guard story and photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
“We are deeply saddened by news about our friend and colleague Brig. Gen. Al Palmer,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general. “Al exemplified the concept of a Citizen-Airman, serving in the National Guard for three decades. His quiet dignity and sound leadership continually inspired confidence in the Guard members that served alongside him. He was an Airmen for life, continuing to serve his community and state after his retirement from the National Guard. From serving on the Grand Forks base retention and military affairs committees, to serving Christmas dinner to Soldiers and Airmen, to being a driving force behind the construction of the Grand Forks Veterans Memorial park, Al set an example for all of us to follow.”
Retired Brigadier General Al Palmer was the keynote speaker for Memorial Day, North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, May 27, 2019. The theme was "Vietnam - 50 years remembered".
Palmer joined the U.S. Air Force in 1972 and served in Thailand in support of military operations in Vietnam. In 1981, he joined the N.D. Air National Guard serving in a myriad of key leadership assignments before retiring in 2010. After his military retirement, Palmer continued to work tirelessly on behalf of military members and their families. He was a volunteer for over 13 years with the Employer Support of the Guard Reserve (ESGR), served on the Governor’s Task Force for Veterans Affairs, and participated in building the Grand Forks Veterans Memorial Park, dedicated last September.
Gold Star Family Opens Hockey Game
The Bismarck Bobcats held a Military Appreciation night in Bismarck, Nov. 12, 2021. To honor Gold Star families, the club invited Kayla Linde and Alexis West, daughters of Sgt. 1st Class Darren M. Linde, perform the National Anthem and drop the puck to open the game. (National Guard story and photos Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highlight, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Sergeant 1st Class Darren M. Linde, of the N.D. National Guard's 818th Engineer Company, was killed in action on Dec. 3, 2012 in Afghanistan.
State Partnership Program and Sanford World Clinic in Ghana
The N.D. National Guard invited Sanford World Clinic, a non-governmental organization based out of Sanford Headquarters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to conduct introductions with the Republic of Ghana's National Ambulance Service, Accra, Ghana, Nov. 17, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)
Professor Ahmed Zakariah, CEO of the Ghana's National Ambulance Service, discussed their mission, their personnel numbers, capabilities, and shortcomings. Mr. Brian DeHaii, senior director of operations for Sanford's Worldwide mission, is interested in working with emergency services and first responders in Ghana. Mr. Travis Spier, training manager for Sanford Worldwide, will ride with the National Ambulance Service this week.
From left: Fati Mohammed; Maj. Jarrod Simek, N.D. National Guard; Professor Ahmed Zakariah, Republic of Ghana's National Ambulance Service; Brian DeHaii, senior director of operations for Sanford Worldwide; Travis Spier, training manager for Sanford Worldwide; and Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program, Accra, Ghana, Nov. 17.
Vet Services
The Fargo Veterans Affairs Health Care System held a COVID-19 vaccine booster clinic at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, N.D., Nov. 17, 2021. Four hundred and ninety-seven doses were administered to Veterans and their spouses. Groups that were eligible for booster doses were Veterans, spouses, and caregivers. Also eligible were those 65 or older, anyone 18 or older with certain health risk factors, those who live in long-term care settings, those who have underlying medical conditions or live or work in high-risk settings, and anyone 18 or older who received Johnson & Johnson as their primary COVID vaccination. (National Guard story and photos Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Public Affairs Visit U of Mary
Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, public affairs specialist with the N.D. National Guard, was invited to visit the University of Mary to discuss the role of public affairs with a communication class, Bismarck, Nov. 17, 2021. The communication class teaches the students about news releases, media advisories, and provides them a broad scope of writing for and working with media. (National Guard story by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Leadership Award
Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, was invited to participate in the presentation of the Stark County Spirit of Excellence award to retired Lt. Col. Art Wanner, Dickinson, N.D. Nov. 16, 2021. (National Guard story and photos Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highlight, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
A friend and coworker nominated the retired N.D. National Guard Soldier for this award in recognition of his many years of service to the Dickinson community and for his volunteer assistance to Veterans and Veterans organizations. Wanner, who served 32 years in the National Guard, was instrumental in the building of the Stark County Veteran Pavilion in Dickinson where this event was held.
Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, discussed the contributions to the National Guard and retirees by retired Lt. Col. Art Wanner, during the Stark County Spirit of Excellence award event in Dickinson, N.D., Nov. 16, 2021.
N.D. Army National Guard Change of Command Ceremony
The N.D. National Guard’s Land Component Command will conduct a change of command at the Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, at 3 p.m., on Nov. 20, 2021. Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, will preside over the ceremony.
The outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, has led over 3,000 North Dakota National Guard Soldiers since Sept. 2018. Assuming command is Col. Jonathan Erickson. Ryan's retirement ceremony will take place after the change of command.
A livestream of both ceremonies will be available at NDGuard.ND.Gov.
Direct Commission PRogram
Sergeant First Class Justin Valenti, 191st Military Police Company, was commissioned as a Military Police Corps second lieutenant through the basic branch Direct Commission program, Bismarck, Nov. 18, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Capt. Benjamin Jechorek, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion)
Prior to commissioning, Valenti served as a 31B (Army Military Police) as an operations non-commissioned officer (NCO) and platoon sergeant in the 191st Military Police Company. His new assignment is assistant operations officer in the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
Valenti has proven himself to be an excellent Soldier and leader in the N.D. National Guard who will continue his excellent service in a new capacity. The National Guard is always looking for qualified Soldiers to become commissioned officers. For more information on the Direct Commission program, contact Warrant Officer 1 Richard Blumler, 701-809-4338.
Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Justin Valenti signs paperwork following his commission, Nov.18, 2021.
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