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TAG Line December 16, 2022

Hooligans Celebrate RPA Award

Cover photo: The Happy Hooligans' 178th Attack Squadron celebrated receiving the 2021 Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies' General Atomics Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Squadron of the Year Trophy Dec. 9, 2022 at the Fargo Air Museum, Fargo, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)

Major General Steven Nordhaus, director, Air National Guard Readiness Center, renders remarks as the keynote speaker of the award presentation, Fargo, Dec. 9, 2022.

The 178th is the first National Guard unit to earn this award, presented annually for outstanding performance by RPA squadrons in achieving intelligence, surveillance, persistent attack, and reconnaissance over the preceding year.

68th Troop Command Welcomes New top NCO

The 68th Troop Command conducted a change of responsibility ceremony for the unit's command sergeant major at the Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brett Miller, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)

Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. John Zacher relinquished duties to Command Sgt. Maj. Russ Garrett. Garrett’s previous assignment was serving as the top non-commissioned officer for the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.

Col. Paul Helten, right, commander, 68th Troop Command, accepts the unit colors from outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. John Zacher, at a change of responsibility ceremony at the Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, Dec. 11, 2022.

Command Sgt. Maj. John Zacher at the 68th Troop Command's change of responsibility ceremony, Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022.

Col. Paul Helten, right, commander, 68th Troop Command, presents the unit colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Russ Garrett, who assumed duties as the top enlisted Soldier for the 68th Troop Command, Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, Dec. 11, 2022.

Command Sgt. Maj. Russ Garrett at the 68th Troop Command's change of responsibility ceremony, Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022.
Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Garrett addresses the Soldiers of the 68th Troop Command for the first time as their top enlisted Soldier, A Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022.

Army Band Holiday Concert - ND Veterans Home

Members of the Fargo-based 188th Army Band performed their annual holiday concert at the N.D. Veterans Home in Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022. (National Guard photos and story by Sgt. Taryn Stoen, 188th Army Band)

Sgt. Ben Helfrich, 188th Army Band's Brass Quintet performs a solo during a holiday concert at the N.D. Veterans Home, Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022.

Spc. Darcy Brandenberg, left and Sgt. Taryn Stoen, 188th Army Band's Woodwind Quartet, performs during a holiday concert at the N.D. Veterans Home, Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022.

Sgt. Gus Tandberg, 188th Army Band's Brass Quintet performs a solo during a holiday concert at the N.D. Veterans Home, Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022.

Sgt. Troy Johnson, 188th Army Band, accompanies the Brass Quintet during the Band's holiday concert at the N.D. Veterans Home, Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022.

Spc. Jaden Rohrich, 188th Army Band, visits with a resident of the N.D. Veterans Home, Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022.

Members of the 188th Army Band sing during a holiday concert at the N.D. Veterans Home, Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022. From left, Spc. Jaden Yeager, Sgt. Thomas Iken, Sgt. Ben Helfrich, and Spc. Jaden Rohrich.

Military Funeral Honors Supports WWII MIA

World War II Veteran U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Walter Nies of Eureka, S.D., was laid to rest and rendered military honors with the assistance of the N.D. National Guard Military Funeral Honors (MFH), Dec. 9, 2022. (National Guard photos and story courtesy of N.D. National Guard MFH)

Nies was reported killed by a guard in a Nazi Germany POW camp on May 28, 1944. His remains were identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on Aug. 2, 2022.

N.D. National Guard Military Funeral Honors (MFH) prepare to conduct a dignified transfer of the remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Walter Nies in Ashely, N.D., Dec. 2, 2022. The remains were driven to Johannestal Baptist Cemetery, Eureka, S.D. for burial.

After Nies long trip home, members of the N.D. National Guard MFH conducted a dignified transfer as they received his remains at a funeral home in Ashley. After the funeral services, the MFH escorted Nies to Johannestal Baptist Cemetery, Eureka, S.D., and provided honors during his burial.

N.D. National Guard Military Funeral Honors (MFH) conduct a dignified transfer of the remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Walter Nies in Ashely, N.D., Dec. 2, 2022.

N.D. National Guard Military Funeral Honors (MFH) conduct a dignified transfer of the remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Walter Nies in Ashely, N.D., Dec. 2, 2022.

Members of the N.D. National Guard MHF provide honors during U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Walter Nies burial, Dec. 9, 2022 at Johannestal Baptist Cemetery, Eureka, S.D.
Members of the N.D. National Guard MHF prepare to fire a rifle salute volley during U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Walter Nies burial, Dec. 9, 2022 at Johannestal Baptist Cemetery, Eureka, S.D.

Zacher retires

After the change of responsibility ceremony for the 68th Troop Command, outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. John Zacher was honored during a retirement ceremony in celebration of more than 32 years of military service at the Army Aviation Readiness Center, Dec. 11, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brett Miller, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)

Zacher was awarded a Legion of Merit in recognition of his service.

Col. Paul Helten, left, commander, 68th Troop Command, presents the Legion of Merit to Command Sgt. Maj. John Zacher in recognition of more than 32 years of military service, Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, Dec. 11, 2022.

Col. Paul Helten, left, commander, 68th Troop Command, presents the Legion of Merit to Command Sgt. Maj. John Zacher in recognition of more than 32 years of military service, Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, Dec. 11, 2022.

Command Sgt. Maj. John Zacher, center, is presented a ceremonial saber in recognition of more than 32 years of military service at his retirement ceremony, Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 11, 2022. All of the sergeants majors present at the ceremony participated in the presentation.

Col. Paul Helten, left, commander, 68th Troop Command, presents a metal plaque representing the 68th Troop Command to Sgt. Maj. John Zacher in recognition of more than 32 years of military service, Army Aviation Readiness Center, Bismarck, Dec. 11, 2022.

Hooligan Recognition

Master Sgt. Elizabeth Miller, 119th Wing, was honored by American Heroes Outdoors and Scheels with the Hometown Hero award, Dec. 13, 2022, Fargo, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)

In her civilian job, Miller serves as an officer with the Fargo Police Department. She joined the 119th Wing, known as the Happy Hooligans, as a Security Forces Specialist and deployed with the 119th Wing Security Forces to Southwest Asia in summer 2017.

Master Sgt. Elizabeth Miller, 119th Wing, was honored by American Heroes Outdoors and Scheels with the Hometown Hero award, Dec. 13, 2022, Fargo, N.D. (Photo courtesy of Hometown Heroes)

Miller joined the Fargo Police Department and completed her training at the N.D. Law Enforcement training center in December 2016. After performing duties as a patrol officer, she was selected to be a K9 officer in 2021. She and her K9 partner, Toby, completed training together and are qualified for in explosive detection and apprehension.

119th Wing Security Forces Squadron Master Sgt. Elizabeth Miller, a Fargo Police Department K9 officer, is congratulated by her mother Renata and father, retired State Command Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Miller upon being recognized by American Heroes Outdoors and Scheels with the Hometown Hero award, Dec. 13, 2022, Fargo, N.D.

Fargo Police Department Chief David Zibolski congratulates 119th Wing Security Forces Squadron Master Sgt. Elizabeth Miller, a Fargo Police Department K9 officer, after receiving the American Heroes Outdoors and Scheels Hometown Hero award, Dec. 13, 2022, Fargo, N.D.
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Created By
Charles Highland
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