U.S. Army Maj. Joshua Yri, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, new commander addresses his troops during a change of command ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, Sept. 22. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Contents
- TAG Town Hall
- Hawki Fury Exercise
- Aviation Change of Command
- Happy Hooligans Welcome NDSU
- Da Guards Podcast
- "From the Field Campaign"
- President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award
- Veterans Stand Down Minot
- Father - Daughter Dance Fargo
TAG Town Hall
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, hosted a town hall at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. Sept. 19. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The main topic of this first town hall from the new TAG was to explain what is the most important under his new command.
Deployed members, mission, people, teams, communication and Commander Critical Information Reporting (CCIR) are among the most important.
TAG asks to be notified if their are hurt people, bent metal, big money, bad press and issues involving Governor or CODELs or anything, in your judgement, which he should be aware of.
Full-time employees participated in person and virtually.
Hawki Fury Exercise
The Happy Hooligans recently completed the Hawki Fury exercise with the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Wing, September 13-14 in Des Moines, Iowa. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
119th Wing maintenance personnel along with an MQ-9 Reaper traveled to Iowa to train on satellite launch and recovery operations and continued to build strong working relationships with our partners in the Iowa Air National Guard.
Aviation Change of Command
The 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment hosted a change of command ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, Sept. 22. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Russ Sundby, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment outgoing commander, receives the unit guidon from Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel Hansen during a change of command ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, Sept. 22.
U.S. Army Col. Cody Volk, 68th Troop Command commander, hands the unit guidon to Maj. Joshua Yri, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, Sept. 22.
Happy Hooligans Welcome NDSU
The Happy Hooligans welcomed a group of staff from North Dakota State University at the Fargo Air National Guard Base in Fargo Sept. 25. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The reason behind the visit is to further building relationships in support of a Memorandum of Agreement to better serve the research, service, educational and workforce needs of North Dakota.
The agreement provides a great opportunity to promote collaboration, research, recruitment and education in the community. The 119th Security Forces Squadron demonstrated the new augmented reality security forces training technology during the visit.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast focuses on highlighting the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
"From the Field Campaign"
141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
U.S. Army Capt. Travis White, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander, recognized unit Soldiers Sgt. Kevin Schulz, Spc. Austin Wurgler and Spc. Joseph Schaefer, The North Dakota State Commendation Ribbon at the Fargo Readiness Center on Sept. 22. (Photos courtesy of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade social media)
The soldier were recognized for assisting another junior enlisted Soldier with diagnosing and repairing his personal vehicle, whose home of record was over 380 miles away. They worked tirelessly after a drill weekend to ensure their fellow Soldier had a safe way home, as well as saving him time, stress, and money.
Bismarck Marathon
Sgt. 1st Class Justin Quinlen, 818th Engineer Company (Sapper), took part and finished the 2024 Bismarck Marathon in Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 22. (Photo courtesy of the Bismarck Marathon)
Military Appreciation Game
The Hankinson Public School District football team proudly wore National Guard jerseys during it's Military Appreciation Game at Jack Bopp Memorial Field in Hankinson, Sept 20. Hankinson won the game 40-26 with victory against Sargent County. (Photos courtesy of North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting social media)
President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, North Dakota National Guard deputy adjutant general, presented Vernon Fetch with the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery during an appreciation luncheon, in Mandan, Sept. 25. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Volunteer Vernon Fetch cuts the grass at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, Sept. 25.
Fetch has volunteered more than 2,500 hours at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery since it opened in 1992.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award was created in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the important role of volunteers and honor individuals who positively impact communities.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, North Dakota National Guard deputy adjutant general, presents Vernon Fetch with the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, Sept. 25.
“Verne is our longest serving volunteer and has been a cornerstone to our volunteer group,” said Pamela Helbling-Schafer, the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery director. “It is a privilege to know someone as dedicated and selfless as Verne. Our cemetery looks as beautiful as it does because of people like him, I cannot thank him enough.”
More than 20 other volunteer mowers were also recognized for their support to the NDVC. The volunteers start weekly mowing in May for approximately 22 weeks until the end of September.
The NDVC performs 625 burials per year, has more than 8,650 gravesites, and performed their 12,000th burial on Sept. 17. A ribbon cutting was also performed for the official opening of their columbarium on Nov. 11, 2023, Veterans Day.
Veterans Stand Down Minot
The North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support will assist in supporting a Veterans Stand Down at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot, Oct. 17.
The original Stand Down for Veterans was modeled after a concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. Stand Down’s currently hold agencies, organizations, and educational materials that benefit all Veterans, Service Members, and Families.
Father - Daughter Dance Fargo
The N.D National Guard Child and Youth Program held its 8th Annual Military Father Daughter Ball at The Fargo Air Museum in Fargo, Sept. 21. (Photos provided by North Dakota National Guard Service Member & Family Support)
A positive father/daughter relationship can have a huge impact on a young girl's life. Since military commitments and other activities can sometimes limit a father's time with their daughters, the purpose of this event is to allow daughters to have their father figure's undivided attention for an entire evening of crafts, games and dancing. This event was attended by 60 father figures and military daughters.
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