Four Black Hawk helicopters lift off from Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, July 17. The aircraft transported N.D. state legislators and business leaders from across the state of North Dakota participating in Civic Leader Day activities. (National Guard photo by Mr. Nathan Rivard, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Contents
- Welcome Home
- Spc. Smith Wins
- 188th Army Band in Africa
- Civic Leader Day
- Professional Development
- Da Guards Podcast
- From the Field Campaign
- Medora Vet's Day
- New Chief Warrant Officer 5
- Military Appreciation Night
- Military Kids Fishing Day
- Recognition
Welcome Home
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, Deputy Adjutant General, was the keynote speaker for the welcome home celebration for Detachment 7, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, July 18. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The unit deployed to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of operations sometime late last summer 2023.
The unit which operates a C-12 Huron aircraft provided transportation of personnel and light cargo during its deployment and earned them the North Dakota Outstanding Unit Citation.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Satrom, Detachment 7, Charlies Company, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, was awarded The Air Medal for meritorious service in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.
Spc. Smith Wins
National Guard Soldiers from across the nation pushed themselves through an exciting two-day event, testing their physical and mental abilities. The competition took place at Ft. Bliss, Texas on Apr. 13-14 and welcomed the best of the best during the RFA24 Southwest Border Best Warrior Competition (BWC). (U.S. Army story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Lucas Krueger, 817th Engineer Company)
When the winners were announced during the final day’s awards ceremony, only two of the fourteen Soldiers were able to claim the title of Southwest Border Mission’s Best Warriors. The winner of the Soldier category was North Dakota’s own Spc. Skylar Smith of the 817th Engineer Company.
"SPC Smith is a young professional who won this competition before he stepped foot on FT. Bliss. The time and effort he put into the preparation for the competition was commendable and proved he is truly the Best Warrior. What is incredible is that he has only been serving for a little over a year." Said 1st Sgt. David Rohrich, 817th Engineer Company.
Preparation for BWC included physical training and studying various military manuals, study guides and Soldier tasks. Smith received mentorship and training from his Platoon Sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Lucas Krueger, Company 1st Sgt. David Rohrich, as well as company medics Spc. Olivia Retterath and Staff Sgt. Ricky Smith.
Smith said, "I expected to be intimidated by someone bigger and more experienced than I am. I maintained my confidence and kept a winning mentality to overcome any nervousness I had which helped push myself harder in the events. The other competitors lived up to the expectations I had before the competition, each competitor had great mentality but came up short overall in the competition.”
Smith’s stellar performance in the competition and while deployed to the SWB is a testament to the professionalism and expertise North Dakota Guardsmen have always displayed. Smith looks forward to a long and prosperous career with the NDNG and all his leadership is excited to see what he can do at the state BWC in the coming year.
188th Army Band in Africa
The 188th Army Band Saxophone Quartet traveled to Lomé, Togo, and Cotonou, Benin, as a part of the State Partnership Program, June 23 to 29. Members of the saxophone quartet are Sgt. 1st Class DeAnn Fylling, Staff Sgt. Brian Lydeen, Staff Sgt. Zachary Fischer, and Spc. Jordan Kellington. (National Guard story, photos and video by Sgt. Michaela Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Civic Leader Day
27 N.D. state legislators, elected officials, N.D. National Guard honorary commanders, community leaders and stake holders participated in Civic Leader Day activities, Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC), July 17. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The event, hosted by the N.D. adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, allows participants to interact with senior N.D. National Guard leaders and learn about the National Guard. Most participants began the day by flying to CGTC from Bismarck, Fargo, Minot and Grand Forks aboard four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
The group learnd about the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) which simulates live weapons fire training with the U.S. Army individual and crew-served weapons.
The simulators at the facility include the M2 (SO-caliber) machine gun, M240B (7.62mm) machine gun, M-4 carbine (5.56mm), M249 light machine gun (5.56mm), and Mk 19 (40mm) grenade launcher.
Professional Development
Caren Stewart, N.D. National Guard state integrated primary prevention officer, conducted this month's professional development, July 11 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
In addition to an in-person audience, his briefing was livestreamed state-wide to all N.D. National Guard full time members.
She first explained about the new office of the N.D. National Guard Intergrated Primary Prevention Workforce which provides a holistic approach to delivering IPP resources and programs for Service Members, families and staff within the communities in which they live.
Da Guards Podcast
From the Field Campaign
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1st Battalion 112th Aviation Regiment
Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Aviation Regiment
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Aviation Regiment flew into the Medora Musical to let patrons get an up close and personal look during a Veteran's Night in Medora, N.D., July 14. (National Guard story, photos and video by Kiel Skager, N.D. Guard Information System Security Manager)
Medora Vet's Day
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Aviation Regiment flew into the Medora Musical to let patrons get an up close and personal look during a Veteran's Night in Medora, N.D., July 14. (National Guard story, photos and video by Sgt. Michaela Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
New Chief Warrant Officer 5
U.S. Army Col. Cody Volk, 68th Troop Command Commander, presided over a Chief Warrant Officer 5 promotion ceremony for Joseph Parsons, Detachment 7, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, July 18. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Military Appreciation Night
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General attended a military appreciation night at Sleepy Hollow Theatre & Arts Park in Bismarck, July 11. (National Guard story and photo by Shirley Olgeirson, N.D. Guard Historian)
Military Kids Fishing Day
The Bismarck Service member and Family Supports center partnered with the N.D. Game and Fish to host a Military Kids Fishing Day in Bismarck, July 11. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Knoll, N.D. Visual Information)
Military members and their family received an update on state programs and the catch and release rules for the event.
Fishing poles were provided and those who landed a catch received a first fish certificate from the N.D. Game and Fish.
Recognition
Brig. Gen. Jonathan Erickson, Land Component Commander, recognized Suzanne Richards, N.D. National Guard Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist, after a recent professional development class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. July 11. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Brig. Gen. Jonathan Erickson, Land Component Commander, hands a Command Coin to Suzanne Richards, N.D. National Guard Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist, after a recent professional development class at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. July 11.
Suzanne was awarded the coin for her efforts to develop and present a recent "Family Safety Night" to the Bismarck military community.
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