Security Forces Airmen of the 119th Wing use virtual reality headsets and training M4 weapons as they moved through an InVeris training scenario at Hector field, Fargo N.D., on April 3. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Contents
- 119th Wing Visits
- Speaking Leadership
- 119th Wing First
- From the Field Campaign
- Camp Grafton Training Center Community Open House
- Next Community Open House
- Going Away Luncheon
- Sgt. First Class Scott Retires
- National Park Pass
119th Wing Visits
Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller
The 119th Wing hosted a tour for the Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller of North Dakota and the Northern Plains UAS Authority at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base in Fargo, April 19. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The visit was used for the opportunity to build relationships and display the work of the individuals that make up the North Dakota Air National Guard!
Chris Gardner
The Happy Hooligans hosted Chris Gardner, the man behind the well known film ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ at the 119th Wing in Fargo, North Dakota's Air National Guard Base, April 17. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Speaking Leadership
Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Obrigewitch, Headquarters and Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, spoke at the 2024 inaugural Leadership Rising, Leadership Influence Conference at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, N.D., April 23. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Obrigewitch spoke about his military career, including experiences during significant historical events and leadership roles in the U.S. Army and ND National Guard, and offered a view of leadership shaped by discipline and critical situations.
119th Wing First
Security Forces (SF) Airmen with the 119th Wing in Fargo, N.D. were the first unit in the Air Force to train on a new augmented reality system, that sharpened their active shooter response skills. The system installation and training took place on April 2nd through the 7th, at the 119th Wing. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
“The InVeris system will allow us to use more realistic training scenarios without any sort of projectiles,” said Security Forces Staff Sargent Casey Hallwachs. “It allows us to train in our existing buildings, and it gives us the ability to recreate blueprints from buildings we do not have access to train in, which gives us practice in responding to threats without disrupting other operations.”
Security Forces Airmen of the 119th Wing disconnect M4 carbine weapon and InVeris Packs from charging stations in preparation to run an InVeris training scenario at Hecter field, Fargo N.D., on April 3.
The InVeris system scans building layouts and builds scenarios, allowing defenders to train as if they were in the physical building. In addition, hostile and non-hostile digital avatars can be added into each scenario to enhance target discrimination. After each scenario, defenders are able to see real-time feedback of their movements through their headsets.
“Immediately after running through a scenario, you can replay it, to see where your weapon was pointed, and where your eyes were looking throughout the scenario,” said Hallwachs.
The InVeris system tracks eye and muzzle movements, allowing participants to review where they were looking and where their weapon was pointed. The system can be used effectively for active shooter training, allowing up to four defenders to train as a team anytime and in any place.
Technical Sgt. Dana Brakke Security Forces (SF) Airmen of the 119th Wing uses virtual reality headset to look through a training M4 scope during InVeris training at Hector field, Fargo N.D., on April 3.
“We are the first Security Forces Squadron in the Nation to get this system, said Security Forces Squadron Commander, Major Kristopher Jacobs. “We are the first to take delivery of it, receive the training and to implement the system.”
Maj. Jacobs said they plan to use the training over their drill weekend and implement it into the entire SF squadron. The system also provides the squadron the opportunity to bring in other base populaces to train along with them.
“In the future I would like to implement this on a broader scale. Were we are bringing in other Security Forces units from across the nation to train on this system,” said Maj. Jacobs.
From the Field Campaign
142nd Engineer Battalion FTX
The 142nd Engineer Battalion conducted a field training exercise at Camp Davis Training Area Garrison, N.D., April 12 - 14. (National Guard photos by Sgt. First Class Aaron Schmidt, Headquarters and Support Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion)
The unit worked on base defense as well as Staff Exercises, testing the Battalion on several different injects throughout the exercise.
815th Engineer Company, Horizontal
(National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ross Seefeld, 815th Engineer Company, Horizontal)
815th Engineer Company, Horizontal, conducting D7 dozer training at Wishek and Lisbon, April 14.
Sgt. Tristan Schmidt, gives a class on the M2 Browning weapons preliminary marksmanship instruction to Spc. David Olson and Pfc. Heim in Wishek, N.D., April 14.
957th Engineer Company, Bridge
The 957th Engineer Company, Bridge, recently completed a training session with the XM30 Bridge Erection Boat at Kimball Bottoms in Bismarck on April 20. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Ram Dahal, 957th Engineer Company, Bridge)
This operation was in preparation for an upcoming Field Training Exercise next month. Both platoons successfully executed the assembly of two Improved Ribbon Bridges. This training allows the company to practice their skills in bridging operations, an essential capability for supporting maneuver forces across water obstacles. The XM30 Bridge Erection Boat facilitated efficient and effective deployment and maintenance of the bridge system, demonstrating the company's readiness for the upcoming exercise.
3662nd Support Maintenance Company
Soldiers of the 3662nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC) in Devils Lake actively trained with Christopher King on Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3) during their drill weekend from April 11 - 13. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Ram Dahal, 957th Engineer Company, Bridge)
The training regimen commenced with classroom sessions to review crucial aspects of land navigation, followed by hands-on computer simulations where Soldiers applied their skills in real-time scenarios. Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3) stands as the Army’s premier training game, providing a sophisticated three-dimensional, first-person military simulation experience.
Administered by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s Combined Arms Center-Training, VBS3 offers an immersive environment with cutting-edge graphics and adaptable terrain options, enhancing training effectiveness and readiness.
Camp Grafton Training Center Community Open House
The North Dakota Army National Guard hosted a community open house, April 24, at the Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake. (National Guard story and photos by Nathan Rivard, N.D. National Guard public affair officer)
The event was free and was an opportunity for the public to meet North Dakota National Guard Soldiers, see their equipment, and learn what the North Dakota Army National Guard does.
U.S. Army First Class Sgt. Levi Bischof, 1st Training Battalion, 164th Reginal Training Institute, shows civic leaders a XM30 Bridge Erection Boat at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake. April 24.
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Michael Groven, Joint Force Headquarters, shows civic leaders the electronic fire range at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake. April 24.
The event had displays of new Army Combat Fitness Test equipment, large military vehicles, Soldiers’ standard-issued equipment, night vision devices, and medical support.
The Next Open House
To sign up for the event
- Grand Forks - https://forms.office.com/g/VQJ1XAUeQY
- Fargo - https://forms.office.com/g/SS5CfX85J5
- Bismarck - https://forms.office.com/g/UZTML2ZJ3w
Going Away Luncheon
Members of Joint Force Headquarters held a Going Away Luncheon for Col. David Johnson at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. April 24. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Sgt. First Class Scott Retires
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Russ Sundby, Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment commander, presided over a retirement ceremony for Sgt. First Class Scott Horst at the North Dakota National Guard Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, April 12. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
National Park Pass
Free Entrance to National Parks for Current Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families.
The National Park Service in partnership with Operation Live Well would like to thank military personnel and their families for their service and invite them to enjoy their national parks.
The free Military Pass is a way to thank current U.S. military members and their dependents, Gold Star Families, and US military veterans for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.
A free lifetime Military Pass is available for Gold Star Families and US military veterans. A free annual Military Pass is available for current US military members and their dependents. The passes provide free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests.
To find a location to get your pass go to the website: www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/pickup-pass-locations.htm
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