Top photo: Spc. Hannah Miller, left, is guided by Spc. Joey Vandervliet, as she hooks up a 4,000 pound concrete block to a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter on Aug. 17, 2020. Both Soldiers are assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
Best Warrior Competition
The N.D. State Command Sergeant Major hosted the 2021 N.D. Best Warrior Competition at the Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, N.D. on August 13-16, 2020. Events included an appearance before a command sergeants major board; essay and written exam; physical fitness assessment; warrior tasks and battle drills; weapons range; and mystery events. Participants competed in two categories, non-commissioned officer (NCO) and Soldier-level. The winners were Sgt. Brandon Wendland, 957th Engineer Company, NCO category, and Spc. Andrew Doss, 191st Military Police Company, Soldier category. These two Guardsmen will represent North Dakota in the Region VI Best Warrior Competition next spring.
Staff Sgt. Tek Khatiwoda, left, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and Spc. John Coombs, 188th Engineer Company, participate in the uniform inspection test during the Best Warrior Competition on August 13. The competitors must correct identify deficiencies on the Army Service Uniform (ASU). (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Drew Ward, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Sgt. Brandon Wendland, 957th Engineer Company, performs pushups during the Army Combat Fitness Test at the Best Warrior Competition on Aug. 13. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Kristin L. Berg, 116th Public Affair Detachment)
Sgt. Isaac Bitter, right, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and Spc. LeSean Pickstock, 957th Engineer Company, perform security during the Best Warrior Competition on Aug. 15. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Kristin L. Berg, 68th Troop Command)
Sgt. Marcus Schwarzrock, 164th Engineer Battalion, throws a hand grenade as part of common Soldier tasks during Best Warrior Competition on Aug. 15. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Thea Jorgensen, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Sgt. David Hathaway, 188th Army Band, is tested on first aid procedures in one of the Situational Training Exercise (STX) lanes during the Best Warrior Competition on Aug. 15. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Drew Ward, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Indispensable Air Guard Support
The 119th Wing's 119th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is a multi-faceted unit with many unique capabilities featuring Airmen with a variety of skills and Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC). These talented maintainers keep the Happy Hooligans' RPA (Remoted Piloted Aircraft) safely in the air, ensure vehicles stay operational and enable the execution of required training for Hooligan aircrews and aircrews from other units in the RPA enterprise. Our maintainers’ hard work has contributed to the local launch and recovery element improving mission metrics from fiscal year 2019 to the current fiscal year which still has about 40 days left. For example, in comparing 2019 to 2020, total sorties increased from 110 to 138; operational readiness hours flown went from nearly 400 to almost 600; and inert training munitions deployed increased from 25 to 80. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp)
Master Sgt. Cody Kjergaard, a quality assurance (QA) member of the 119th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, checks inert bombs at the N.D. Air National Guard Base in Fargo on August 11.
Tech. Sgt. Colter Pratt, left, and Master Sgt. James Jennen, both in the fabrication section of the 119th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, replace fasteners on an aircraft panel at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., on August 14.
Aviators Prep for Potential Mobilization
Soldiers of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter), continued their annual training this week by rehearsing tasks and missions they expect if they are mobilized for duty in the National Capital Region (NCR) later this year. The aviators flew their UH-60L Black Hawks in multi-ship formations, refueled at a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP), performed extensive Airframe Condition Evaluation (ACE) maintenance and trained on sling load operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photos and story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Taylor Thielen, left, is guided by Spc. Joey Vandervliet, as he hooks up a 4,000 pound concrete block to a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter during slingload training on Aug. 17. Both Soldiers are assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment and are performing annual training in preparation of a potential mobilization.
Medical Flight Training in Mclean County
Army Officer Candidate School
Four officer candidates from the N.D. Army National Guard's OCS (Officer Candidate School) Class 64, along with nine cadre members and over 20 senior N.D. Army National Guard leaders, participated in a nine-mile road march on Aug. 15, 2020 The Soldiers walked around the perimeter of Camp Grafton Training Center with packs that weighed at least 35 pounds. This road march is part of the OCS curriculum. (U.S. National Guard photos by Maj. Jacy Voglewede, Joint Force Headquarters)
Members of Officer Candidate School Class 64, cadre members and senior N.D. Army National Guard leaders begin a nine-mile foot march around the perimeter of Camp Grafton Training Center on August 15.
Soldiers and OCS candidates cross a Baily Bridge built over a wet area at Camp Grafton Training Center on August 15.
OCS Class 63 Graduates
Five members of the N.D. Army National Guard's OCS (Officer Candidate School) Class 63 graduated on Aug 15, 2020. Four of these graduates, accepted their commissions the same day. (U.S. National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Ashley Johls, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, far right, commander of the N.D. Army National Guard, administers the oath of office to newly commissioned graduates of OCS Class 63 on Aug. 15, 2020. Officers depicted are 2nd Lt. Bruce Shields, left and and 2nd Lt. Brittney Hertz.
MAC VI Regional Marksmanship Championships
Fourteen N.D. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen competed at the MAC VI Regional Marksmanship Championship at Camp Guernsey, Wyo., Aug. 13 to 16. The N.D. National Guard fielded three teams; Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. For the ninth year in a row, North Dakota's Alpha team earned the title of Aggregate Match Champions. This year's Alpha team consisted of Staff Sgt. Gavin Rook, Sgt. Tyler Goldade, Capt. Thomas Gross, and Staff Sgt. Joshua Renville. Once again, the N.D. Army and Air National Guard shooters demonstrated their excellent marksmanship skills by earning forty team and individual awards and finishing in the top three places of evaluated events.
COVID-19 Precautions
The N.D. National Guard is working hard to adhere to social distancing and face coverings especially indoors for engagements over 15 minutes to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. Meetings are conducted with rooms at half capacity while allowing others to participate vitually.
Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve Update
Gov. Doug Burgum has proclaimed this week as Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve, Aug. 16 to 22, 2020. To nominate your employer for supporting your military service go to ESGR.mil or call 701-333-2057 for more information.
Be Sure You Count!
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