Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams, command chief, Air National Guard, addresses Airmen of the 119th Wing at a town hall at the Fargo Air National Guard Base, April 2, 2022. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nathanael Baardson, 119th Wing)
Air National Guard Command Chief Visits 119th Wing
Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams, command chief, Air National Guard, visited the N.D. Air National Guard Base in Fargo, April 2, 2022. (National Guard story by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The command chief visited the base to observe Wing missions up-close, greet and mentor Airmen, and conduct a base-wide, town hall-style briefing to answer questions and inform the Airmen. Williams met with Rising 6 enlisted members and shared his experience and advice for Airmen to participate in leadership opportunities and develop their military careers. The Rising 6 is an enlisted leadership and development organization made up of E-1 through E-6 Airmen with 10 years of service or less.
Williams held the town hall-style briefing during his tour of the 119th Wing, providing a message focused on ready forces, people, and the health of the force. Airmen gathered in the base hangar for the informal briefing and were encouraged to use the opportunity to ask questions they had for Williams, as the top enlisted leader in the Air National Guard. Williams shared that our people make the difference. They are what makes our nation strong.
“We must empower at the lowest level,” said Williams. “We must educate those who lead, officers and enlisted, so they understand the why. They must understand the why in the mission.”
Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams, command chief, Air National Guard, addresses Airmen of the 119th Wing at a town hall at the Fargo Air National Guard Base, April 2, 2022. (National Guard photos by Tech. Sgt. Nathanael Baardson, 119th Wing)
Williams stressed the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve offer additional skills through service members’ civilian careers. This exchange of skills provides benefits to both the total force and the member’s home communities. He told the Airmen change is part of military service and that more changes will be coming throughout their careers.
“We must embrace change,” said Williams. “We must constantly evolve.”
Williams left the Airmen with his theme of empowerment throughout his interactive events on the base, as he repeatedly encouraged all Airmen to be proactive in their service and their careers in the Air National Guard.
Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams, command chief, Air National Guard, addresses Airmen of the 119th Wing during a Rising 6 briefing at the Fargo Air National Guard Base, N.D., April 2, 2022.
Guard Leaders Engage with Minot Air Force Base
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, along with Col. Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, N.D. Army National Guard's state command sergeant major, hosted an engagement with two senior leaders of Minot Air Force Base, Minot, N.D., April 7, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The meeting was conducted at the Minot Armed Forces Reserve Center and included Col. Johnny L. Galbert, vice commander, 91st Missile Wing, and Col. Michael Maginness, vice commander, 5th Bomb Wing.
Topics discussed were upgrades to the ranges at Camp Grafton Training Center and the need for increased access to mental health care providers for Airmen stationed at Minot Air Force Base.
Other topics included:
1. Continuing to build interagency relationships with open lines of communication. Maintaining relationships and understanding the function of each organization improves interagency emergency responses during crises, such as state-wide flooding in 2011.
2. The crossover of Family readiness and support for the active duty and National Guard components. A discussion on how both organizations can work together to address issues relevant to Servicemembers and their Families.
3. Assisting the active-duty component in addressing local issues.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, center, speaks with senior leaders of Minot Air Force Base at the Minot Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot, April 7, 2022.
Donations to Alma Mater
Cadet Denis Duku, N.D. National Guard, donated 50 new computers to his former high school, Fiaseman Senior High School, in Ghana, March 30, 2022. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)
Duku, who originally hails from Ghana, helped install the computers. He will earn his commission as a U.S. Army Signal Corps officer this spring thru the North Dakota State University's ROTC program. He will be assigned to the 426th Signal Company in Fargo.
“While I did not have enough access to learn more computing education when I was growing up, I believe given my current position I am motivated to contribute to ensuring that others do not experience the same situation as I did,” Duku stated.
Cadet Dennis Duku, North Dakota National Guard, helps install the computers he donated at Fiaseman Senior High School, Ghana, March 30, 2022. (National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Neil Horner, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
N.D. Guard Leaders Visit with Minot Military Affairs Committee
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, Col. Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, N.D. Army National Guard's state command sergeant major, attended a luncheon with the Military Affairs Committee of the Minot Area Chamber Economic Development Corporation (EDC) at the Minot Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot, April 7, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Dohrmann provided an update on the National Guard, Camp Grafton Training Center, and the efforts to develop a military museum for the state. Johnson's remarks included the capabilities of the 119th Wing and how they assist other states with their remoted piloted MQ-9 Reaper programs and flights.
Always Training, Always Ready
Members of the 81st Civil Support Team (CST), conducted a training exercise at the N.D. National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, April 6, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The training event scenario involved a disgruntled office worker seeking revenge on his employer after being fired. He left chemical and radiological hazards behind that were causing employees to get sick.
Sgt. Dominic Delaney, left, and Staff Sgt. James Porter, 81st Civil Support Team, prepare to enter a room at the Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, April 6, 2022.
Sgt. Dominic Delaney and Staff Sgt. James Porter, 81st Civil Support Team, find a chemical hazard in an office drawer at the Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, April 6, 2022.
Staff Sgt. Chris Hickel, 81st Civil Support Team, advises Sgt. Dominic Delaney, center, and Staff Sgt. James Porter, 81st Civil Support Team, during an exercise at the Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, April 6, 2022.
TAG Town Hall in Minot
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, Col. Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, N.D. Army National Guard's state command sergeant major, participated in town hall at the Minot Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot, April 7, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The leaders provided updates to N.D. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and answered questions and concerns.
Airman recognized with The Woodrow W. Keeble Award
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, awarded The Woodrow Wilson Keeble “Je Suis Pret” (I am Ready) Award to Master Sgt. Mitchell Kuhn, N.D. Air National Guard, at the Minot Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot, April 7, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Kuhn distinguished himself with an act of heroism while assigned to the 219th Security Forces Squadron, 119th Wing at Minot Air Force Base. On August 15, 2021, Kuhn responded to multiple gunshots when woman a ran toward him screaming because a man was chasing her. The woman yelled that the man had just shot her mother and Kuhn, without hesitation, assisted the woman to safety and took other precautionary measures until the authorities arrived.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, right, awards The Woodrow Wilson Keeble “Je Suis Pret” (I am Ready) Award to Master Sgt. Mitchell Kuhn, 219th Security Forces Squadron, Minot, April 7.
25 Years Since Operations Snowball and Good Neighbor
On April 8, 1997, N.D. Gov. Ed Schafer activated the North Dakota National Guard to support state-wide blizzard recovery and flood-fighting efforts along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. (National Guard story by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. Public Affairs Office)
In the months prior, at least eight blizzards hit the state. This led to the Red River's record-breaking flood, of which Grand Forks bore the brunt of. While the community had prepared for the flooding that typically followed spring snowstorms, no one was ready for the flood to crest at 54.11 feet, breaking through all barriers. Communities all along the Red River, to include Fargo, were experiencing flooding that spring.
While some members of the 119th Fighter Wing had been responding to the weather emergencies since March 22, 1997, Schafer authorized the full use North Dakota National Guard resources to provide emergency assistance during Operation Snow Ball and Operation Good Neighbor. Individuals were placed on active duty based on the requests from the counties and task requirements. Besides participating in flood response, N.D. Guardsmen assisted farmers and ranchers with disposing of cattle that perished during harsh blizzard conditions.
Operations centers were established by the North Dakota Army National Guard in Bismarck and by the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo.
Happy Hooligans of the 119th Fighter Wing, walk through mounds of piled up snow that were typical of the winter of 1996 to 1997. (National Guard photos by David Lipp, 119th Fighter Wing)
A total of 1,886 Soldiers and Airmen served on state active duty to support Operation Good Neighbor, 1,469 Soldiers, and 417 Airmen.
A total of 1,886 N.D. National Guard members (1,469 Soldiers and 417 Airmen) served on state active duty to support Operation Good Neighbor. The highest number of members on a single day was 945 on April 19, 1997. Cumulative personnel-days reached 22,189. Operation Good Neighbor was the largest state activation of North Dakota National Guard service members in the state's history up to that time. This record was later overtaken by the 2009 and 2011 state-wide flooding and ultimately the COVID-19 pandemic response from 2020 to 2022.
For more information: FEMA's State agency after action reports for the 1997 disasters.
Recognition
After conducting a town hall with Soldiers and Airmen at Minot, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, recognized three non-commissioned officers from the 164th Engineer Battalion at the Minot Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot, April 7, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Staff Sgt. Eric Lenertz, Staff Sgt. Tara Loomer, and Master Sgt. Jon Pearson were presented adjutant general coins for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the N.D. National Guard's mission.
Preserving History
A pair of National Guard retired Soldiers assisted the N.D. National Guard Historian with categorizing, inventorying, and describing over 200 uniforms that were in the N.D. Nation Guard's artifact collection at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, April 1, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mick Fetch and retired Sgt. 1st Class Tony Goldade assisted retired Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson with this cataloging project. Determining the the age and owner of each uniform in the collection was slow and painstaking work. The two were familiar with the old warehouse at Fraine Barracks because both spent many years working there as supply technicians during their careers.
From left: Retired Sgt. 1st Class Tony Goldade, Retired Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard Historian, and Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mick Fetch review the list of unit patches found on the uniforms in storage at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, April 1, 2022.
If you would like to volunteer to assist in preserving our military history please contact the N.D. National Guard Historian, at shirley.j.olgeirson.civ@army.mil.
Retiree Recognition
Ms. Anita Baglien was recognized with a certificate of appreciation, at a meeting of the N.D. National Guard's Arizona Reunion Club, Mesa, Arizona, March 5, 2022. (Story by Larry Liere, president, N.D. National Guard Arizona Reunion)
Anita Baglien's late husband Donald sent out all of the Retiree information via email on a computer program he built. We asked Anita if she would let us use the club room where she lived in Arizona. She not only let us use the club room but she also helped us buy the food, clean up the room after the meeting and assisted with other tasks that made the meetings a success. She earned this recognition for her unselfish, faithful, and devoted service. Presentation of the certificate of appreciation that was signed by the adjutant general, Maj. General Al Dohrmann on June 29, 2020, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The N.D. National Guard's Arizona Reunion Club was started by Danald Miller who is now deceased. The first meetings were pot-lucks and everyone attending would bring a dish to share. There was always way too much food. The meetings were informative with a speaker who provided updates on current information that was very useful for the Retirees. Than each retired Guard Member would introduce their spouse and tell a short story about their time in the National Guard. Sometimes the stories got a little long.
Some of the older Guardsmen never even had to attend Basic Training or AIT and some had been on active duty for the Korean Conflict and even WWII. Later on the ladies decided we should just have snacks because of all the food that was left over so the next problem was selecting a new meeting place.
Spring Family Fun Fest
The N.D. National Guard Child and Youth Program hosted a Month of the Military Child (MOMC) Event called Spring Family Fun Fest at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, April 3, 2022. (National Guard story by Mandy Malo, N.D. National Guard Child and Youth Program lead coordinator)
One hundred and sixty military family members attended. Each youth was honored and presented a MOMC award signed by the N.D. National Guard adjutant general. An Easter egg hunt took place around the building, followed by craft tables, carnival games, prizes, and more. The Easter Bunny posed for pictures with the families.
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