"From The Field Photo" - U.S. Army Spc. Emma Rouse, a UH-60 Blackhawk crew chief, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Aviation Regiment, performs sling load training at the Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, March 12. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Leif Anderson, Detachment 2, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, Maintenance)
Contents
- Grass Fires in McKenzie County
- Rep. Fedorchak Visits Camp
- NCO Program Development Workshop
- State Legislator Visit
- New North Dakota Military Data Book
- Change Of Responsibility
- Da Guards Podcast
- Warrant Officer Professional Development
- ND 2000
- BSC Career Fair
- The North Dakota Governor’s Challenge
- From the Field Campaign
- OXYGEN Relational Readiness Seminar in Grand Forks
- Military Family Safety Night
- U of Mary Social Worker Program Visit
- Month of the Military Child
- Military Kid's Easter Eggstravaganza
Grass Fires in McKenzie County
Two wildland fires started in McKenzie County near Watford City yesterday, March 27. Watford City Fire Department led incident command for the first fire, and Keene was primary on the second with mutual aid called from Arnegard, Alexander, and Dunn. (Story courtesy of North Dakota Emergency Services Cares)
With winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour and one in difficult terrain, the simultaneous fires overwhelmed local resources. Upon request and via continuous communication, officials within the State Emergency Operations Center dispatched state resources to join the fight, including engines and crews from North Dakota Forest Service and a Black Hawk aerial crew from the North Dakota National Guard.
The North Dakota National Guard launched a Black Hawk helicopter that dropped approximately 24,000 gallons of water on the fire over the span of three hours, aiding the ground crew in the steep and difficult terrain with aerial support.
Locals and responders on the ground, along with intel from the North Dakota Department of Water Resources and the National Weather Service together identified open water as nearby dipping sources—a difficulty as many water sources are still frozen over. The helicopter was able to successfully dip water out of the Missouri River in the Lake Sakakawea area. The North Dakota Highway Patrol also provided aerial imagery of the fires in advance of the helicopter’s arrival to increase situational awareness and scoping of the fires.
Rep. Fedorchak Visits Camp
North Dakota U.S. Representative Julie Fedorchak visited Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake on March 20. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, met with Rep. Fedorchak before a camp tour to discuss what the North Dakota Guard does during state and federal missions. The tour focused on training and military education provided by the 164th Regional Training Center and the BIA police academy.
NCO Program Development Workshop
The NDNG State Partnership Program conducted a noncommissioned officer (NCO) Development Workshop in Accra, Ghana, from March 17th through the 21st, supporting AFRICOM's Enlisted Development Program. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Lt. Col. Jarrod Simek, State Partnership Program director)
Sgt. Madison Schlager, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, visits with a student during a course at the Engineer Training School.
The workshop was conducted with a key emphasis on building and retaining strong, talented NCOs within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) organization.
The team from North Dakota, led by State Command Sgt. Major Eric Binstock took this opportunity to solicit guidance from the Office of Security of Cooperation at U.S. Embassy Accra, the Service Sgt. Majors from the Ghana Armed Forces (Army, Air, Navy), and hear directly from the GAF NCO/Soldiers in the classroom and field.
1st Sgt. Brea Binstock, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 164th Engineer Battalion, engages with a student at the topographic course at the Engineer Training School.
The information gathered from the workshop helps identify a strategic long-term approach to future programs of instruction that the GAF is requesting to build a more professional and talented NCO Corps.
Lt Col. Jarrod Simek, Director of the State Partnership Program commended the engagement as it was the first of its kind for the State Partnership Program that had a primary focus on highlighting the importance of female Soldiers and NCOs in the ranks. “For us to bring some of our brightest and smartest female NCOs from North Dakota to share their personal military experiences with the females from the Ghana Armed Forces was immensely valuable to the partner. It highlights a shared experience and solidifies the cultural importance of the roles females play in both the Ghana Armed Forces and U.S. Military”.
State Legislator Visit
State Senate Appropriation Committee Members participated in a tour of Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, on March 17. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Senators present include Sen. Terry Wanzek, Sen. Randy Burckhard, Sen. Michael Dwyer, Sen. Robert Erbele, and Sen. Jonathan Sickler. Members of the committee staff were also present.
State Senate Appropriations, Government Operations Division members receive a briefing during a tour of Fraine Barracks.
The tour included visits to the State Emergency Operations Center, State Radio, the 81st Civil Support Team, and the North Dakota Guard Joint Operations Center.
New North Dakota Military Data Book
The New North Dakota Military Data Book is now available. The book aims to provide our coalition members, the Legislature, and all stakeholders working on behalf of military and veterans, with the most current data on service members and veterans in North Dakota. (Courtesy of Michelle Panos, ND Cares, director)
Change Of Responsibility
The 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade hosted a change of responsibility ceremony at the Fargo Military Readiness Center, Fargo, March 22. (U.S. Army National Guard photos courtesy of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade social media)
Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Obrigewitch, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, speaks to the troops during a change of responsibility ceremony.
A change of responsibility ceremony is a military tradition that marks the transfer of leadership and authority from one senior non-commissioned officer to another.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast highlights the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tim Quintus
Let's meet retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tim Quintus! Quintus served in the military for 39 years, working with various airframes, including the AH-1 Cobra, AH64 Apache, and UH-60 Black Hawk. Listen in as he discusses his career flying!
New podcast episodes will be announced every other Monday.
Warrant Officer Professional Development
The NDARNG Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO), conducted Warrant Officer Professional Development (WOPD) at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, March 21. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiley Kuntz, Joint Force Headquarters)
Warrant Officers, Warrant Officer candidates, and prospects interested in becoming Warrant Officers attended the event.
Topics presented included a briefing from the North Dakota Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO), J5 Strategic Initiatives Update, G1 / Recruiting and Retention, Warrant Officer Career College, Professional Military Education update, and mentorship from new and mid-grade Warrant Officers.
ND 2000
BSC Career Fair
North Dakota National Guard Airmen and Soldier recruiters attended a Bismarck State College Career Day event for students and the public at the Bismarck Event Center in Bismarck, March 18. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The North Dakota Governor’s Challenge
The Governor’s Challenge is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the State of North Dakota. It aims to unite community leaders and state agencies to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and their families.
On April 23, the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, North Dakota, will host a free professional development event for providers serving veterans.
From the Field Campaign
2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Aviation Regiment
U.S. Army Spc. Emma Rouse, a UH-60 Blackhawk crew chief with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Assault Aviation Regiment, performs sling load training at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, March 12. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Leif Anderson, Detachment 2, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, Maintenance)
Detachment 7, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment
The Detachment 7, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment's C-12 Huron aircraft goes through deicing at Minot Air Force Base in Minot, March 17. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dan Fitzner, Detachment 7, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment)
The C-12 Huron aircraft provides transportation of personnel and light cargo for the North Dakota National Guard.
OXYGEN Relational Readiness Seminar in Grand Forks
Soldiers in the North Dakota National Guard and their spouses are invited to join the Office of the Chaplain for a fun and insightful Oxygen seminar to develop skills that enable relationship resilience and readiness. Oxygen training discusses proven strategies to enhance communication, build empathy, and resolve conflict. You’ll better understand how your personalities impact your partnership, and how to better relate to the one you love.
Military Family Safety Night
U of Mary Social Worker Program Visit
The North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support was invited by the Social Worker Program director, Katie Krukenburg, to speak to students at the University of Mary in Bismarck on March 25. (Photo courtesy of North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support social media)
The group was invited to share our military life experiences, knowledge, and resources with the class. The North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support has visited the school for the past eight years.
Month of the Military Child
The Month of the Military Child Proclamation Day at the Capitol is on April 4. If you would like to attend the celebration for our military children and wear purple, please register below to show your support. (Courtesy of North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support social media)
Military Kid's Easter Eggstravaganza
The event begins at 10:30 am at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, April 19.
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