N.D. Army National Guard's Staff Sgt. Dale Burdette, 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), observes Benin Soldiers conduct counter-IED (improvised explosive devices) training in Ouassa, Benin, Feb. 16, 2023. Counter-IED activities are an all-inclusive approach to help mitigate terrorist threats that employ IEDs.
CONTENTS
- State Partnership Program Update
- AFRICOM Commander Visits North Dakota Partner
- Army National Guard's Top Enlisted Soldier Visits State
- Army Guard State Schools
- 816th MP Training
- Aviation Tested
- Black History Month Spotlight
- Hooligan Retires after Four Decades of Service
- New HR Employees
- From the Field Campaign
State Partnership Program Update
Benin
Staff Sgt. Dale Burdette and Staff Sgt. Alex Radi, both of the Jamestown-based 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), participated in a knowledge exchange with the Beninese Armed Forces (FAB - Forces armées béninoises) centered on counter–IED (improvised explosive device) training in Benin, Feb. 13 to 17, 2023. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)
The Benin Armed Forces constitutes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie of Benin. The Republic of Benin’s border with Burkina Faso to the north and Nigeria to the east has witnessed an increase violent extremism. From December 2021 to September 2022 there were 43 violent events in Benin involving violent extremist organizations (VEOs), some employing IEDs as a weapon of terror. Benin has partnered with the N.D. National Guard in the National Guard Bureau's SPP since 2014.
Staff Sgt. Alex Radi, left, and Staff Sgt. Dale Burdette, center, both of the 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), wait as a French interpreter translates comments, Ouassa, Benin, Feb. 14, 2023. The N.D. National Guard combat engineers were discussing troop-leading procedures during a knowledge exchange with the Beninese Armed Forces. (Photos courtesy of Benin military)
The N.D. National Guard Soldiers worked with the Benin Soldiers in planning for a practical exercise that incorporated counter-IED mission planning during mounted and dismounted patrols.
Benin Soldiers conduct a walk-through rehearsal in preparation for conduct counter-IED training, Ouassa, Benin, Feb. 14, 2023.
The importance of these engagements cannot be understated. The Benin Armed Forces are working with other security agencies, which include the national police and immigration officers, to conduct security and presence patrols throughout the northern part of the country.
This is the first State Partnership Program engagement for Radi. He stated this is the most unique engagements he has ever done outside a deployment.
Staff Sgt. Alex Radi, 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), looks on as Benin Soldiers conduct counter-IED training, Ouassa, Benin, Feb. 16, 2023.
“This is the first military to military event the NDNG has incorporated 3rd Special Forces Group (A) into engagements. This allows for the 3rd Special Forces Group to also get first-hand feedback and create their own assessments on capacity requirements,” states Lt. Col. Mark McEvers.
Togo
Staff Sgt. Dale Burdette and Staff Sgt. Alex Radi, both members of the Jamestown-based 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), participated in a Counter–Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) knowledge exchange with the Togolese Armed Forces in the Republic of Togo, Feb. 6 to 10, 2023.
Togo has partnered with the N.D. National Guard in the National Guard Bureau's SPP since 2014.
Staff Sgt. Alex Radi, 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), Jamestown participated in a knowledge exchange with the Togolese Armed Forces with Counter–Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) training, Togo, Feb. 8, 2023.
This class is an important topic with increased violent extremism occurring within the borders of the Republic of Togo.
It was an absolute pleasure working with our partner nations of Togo and Benin on Counter-IED awareness and planning. It was very informative listening to their concerns, experiences on peacekeeping missions, and fielding their questions. It made me think a lot about my deployment to Iraq and the great training I received from the leaders of the 817th Engineer COmany. I hope I was able to pass on some of my knowledge to help keep as many of these Soldiers in Togo and Benin as safe as possible.
Staff Sgt. Alex Radi
Coast Guard Togo Visit
The U.S. Embassy in Lomé, Togo received its first-ever U.S. Coast Guard cutter visit. It was also the first U.S. ship in more than a decade to visit when the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter SPENCER docked at the Lomé Port on January 25. Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, Vice Admiral Thomas Ishee, joined the ship in Lomé to participate in a January 27 reception that was well attended by the Togolese Government.
The U.S. Embassy in Lomé, Togo received its first U.S. ship in more than a decade and first-ever U.S. Coast Guard vessel when the USCGC Spencer docked at the Lomé Port on Jan. 25, 2023. The commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, Vice Admiral Thomas Ishee, joined the ship in Lomé to participate in a Jan. 27 reception that was well-attended by officials of the Togolese Government.
Capt. Jeremiah Colbert, N.D. National Guard’s Bilateral Affairs Officer in Togo, second from left, meets with officers of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Spencer, during the vessels' port call in Lomé, Togo, Jan. 25, 2023. From left Lt. Lonlonyon Afanvi, Togolese Navy maritime operations officer; Colbert; Lt. Cmdr. Nick Forni, USCGC Spencer's executive officer, and Cmdr. Corey Kerns, USCGC Spencer's commanding officer.
The USCGC Spencer docked at Lomé during the 2023 OBANGAME Express exercise, which ran from Jan. 23 to Feb. 3, 2023. The exercise included representation from 29 nations, including Togo. Exercise activities to including training on visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations.
These strategic engagements are important to invest in the security of the port along with joint intelligence sharing with N.D. National Guard's neighboring State Partnership Program countries, Ghana and Benin.
The N.D. National Guard has been SPP partners with Ghana since 2004 and the nearby nations of Benin and Togo since 2014.
AFRICOM Commander Visits North Dakota Partner
Gen. Michael Langley, commander U.S. Africa Command, visited the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana, Feb. 2023. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP))
During his visit Langley met with N.D. National Guard's Maj. Jarrod Simek, office of security cooperation. The two specifically discussed the importance of SPP in Ghana and the region. Langley, on his first trip to Ghana, also met with the U.S. Embassy Dept. of Defense staff during the trip.
Gen. Michael Langley, commander U.S. Africa Command, recognizes Maj. Jarrod Simek, Office of Security Cooperation, with a command coin, at the U.S. Embassy, Accra, Feb. 16, 2023.
Gen. Langley stated “the partnership with North Dakota (Ghana, Togo, and Benin) is the model for AFRICOM coming forward. We can put in place more Bilateral Affairs Officers in U.S. Embassies just like Togo and Benin but we cannot build the structures as easily with Office of Security Cooperation with the Embassies.”
"THE IMPORTANCE OF PUTTING EXPERIENCED SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN WITHIN THESE state partnership program (SPP) POSITIONS can not be overstated", says LT. COL. MARK MCEVERS, n.D. National Guard STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM DIRECTOR. "WEST AFRICA IS NOW THE PRIORITY FOR U.S. AFRICA COMMAND WHICH MAKES OUR SPP ENGAGEMENTS even MORE IMPORTANT AND IMPACTFUL"
Army National Guard's Top Enlisted Soldier Visits State
Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, N.D. National Guard's state command sergeant major, hosted the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines during a two-day visit to North Dakota, Feb. 10 to 11, 2023. (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Over the two-day tour, Raines visited Soldiers at Camp Grafton Training Center, Grand Forks and Fargo. Raines recognized Soldiers with coins, observed training and tried out the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment's Improved Moving Target Simulator (IMTS) Stinger Missile Trainer in Grand Forks.
Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines checks out the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment's Improved Moving Target Simulator (IMTS) Stinger Missile Trainer, Grand Forks, N.D., Feb. 11, 2023.
Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines, left, visits with Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Grand Forks, N.D., Feb. 11, 2023.
Raines said he wanted to coin several N.D. Air Defense Artillery Soldiers while they were deployed to the National Capital Region in 2021 to 2022, but circumstances prevented him from doing so at the time. He wanted to meet with some of the Soldiers he missed during that deployment. This was his first visit to North Dakota.
Army Guard State Schools
The N.D. Army National Guard held its third annual State Schools event at Camp Grafton training center, near Devil’s Lake, N.D., Feb. 9 to 12th, 2023. (National Guard story by Spc. Donald Bond, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Over 15 classes were offered to include Combat Life Saving (CLS); Unit Prevention Leadership (UPL); Unit Marksmanship; Cold Weather; Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT); Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST); Resiliency Training Assistant (RTA); Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR), and others.
N.D. National Guard Soldiers train with the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) during state schools, Camp Grafton Training Center, Feb. 11, 2023. (National Guard photos by Spc. Donald Bond, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
About 340 N.D. National Guard Soldiers attended this year's training. Approximately 40 instructors taught courses.
Students of the Combat Life Saving (CLS) course train on a medical response mannequin, Feb. 11, 2023. (National Guard photo by Spc. Sam Konah, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, N.D. National Guard Land Component Commander, visited state school classes to meet with students and observe training. He conducted informal question-answer sessions to help improve transparency and trust between leaders and Soldiers.
Erickson said the N.D. National Army Guard State Schools program is a great training opportunity, since it consolidates the mandatory and voluntary unit readiness courses into one weekend, providing extensive skill building along with state-wide networking.
Col. Mark Topp, G-3 State Training Officer and coordinator of N.D.’s State Schools program: "every unit has various unit readiness requirements - by consolidating the courses into one weekend we can more effectively achieve unit readiness."
816th MP Training
The 816th Military Police (MP) conducted a no-notice response exercise during their Inactive duty training (IDT), Mott, N.D., Feb. 10 to 12, 2023. (National Guard story and photos courtesy of 816th MP Company)
The law enforcement training exercises took place in Mott and focused on civil disturbance response, night drivers' training, as well as forceable room breaching and room clearing operations.
The 816th Military Police (MP) muster their vehicles as part of a no-notice response exercise conducted during their Inactive duty training (IDT), Mott, N.D., Feb. 11, 2023.
The Guard MPs conducted joint training with the N.D. Southwest Tactical Team and Hettinger Country Sheriff’s Department. The 816th Military Police command team is comprised of Capt. Jenna Werre and 1st Sgt. Derrick Owens.
Aviation Soldiers Tested
Twelve Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (1-112th AVN Reg), conducted an Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) at Fort Bliss, Texas, Feb. 10, 2023. The unit has conducted the ACFT every Friday for the past two weeks, with the final test scheduled for the following Friday. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, 1-112th AVN Reg)
Black History Month Spotlight
N.D. National Guard's Chris Roach, 81st Civil Support (CST) Team was promoted to captain at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 16, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. First Class Chris Keller, 81st Civil Support Team)
Lt. Col. Pat Flanagan, 81st CST commander presided over the ceremony which promoted Roach in the presence of his teammates and fellow Guardsmen. This promotion was the latest achievement in his young military career. Roach has served as the 81st CST's operations officer for a little over a year.
Lt. Col. Pat Flanagan, commander, 81st Civil Support Team, prepares to affix the rank of captain on Chris Roach's uniform during a promotion ceremony, Bismarck, Feb. 16, 2023.
Roach, a native of Virginia, played football at Marshall University and the University of North Dakota. He transferred to the latter school so he could be near his parents who were stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base. After graduating in 2010, he attended the North Dakota's Law Enforcement Training Academy, which qualified him to serve with the Mandan and Fargo police departments.
In 2016 he enlisted in the N.D. Army National Guard, eventually earning his commission as a second lieutenant from Officer Candidate School in 2018. Branched U.S. Army Aviation, Roach completed flight school and is qualified on the UH-72A Lakota helicopter. He was a traditional member of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment. His full-time National Guard career began when he served as the officer in charge of Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Fargo from October 2020 to October 2021. Afterwards he joined the 81st CST as the operations officer.
Serving Youth in the Community
During the fall, Capt. Chris Roach, 81st Civil Support Team, volunteers his time coaching in the Bismarck Youth Football League. Roach, a native of Virginia, has served in the N. D. National Guard since, 2016. (National Guard story and photos by 1st Lt. Erin DeMoe, commander, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Roach brings his demonstrated good military work ethic and dedication onto the football field where he helps lead a team of eager and passionate 5th and 6th graders that includes his son.
Coach Chris Roach
I coach because I like to see kids grow as athletes and as persons. When I see them accept the challenges of hard work and dedication everyday, it motivates me to do the same.
Coach Chris Roach stands on the sidelines with Cardinals players during a Bismarck Youth Football League game, Sept. 10, 2022, Bismarck, N.D.
There's another N.D. National Guard tie to the Bismarck Youth Football League where Roach coaches. The "Holly Division" (5th and 6th grade level) is named in memory of retired Brig. Gen. Duane Holly and his wife Emma who are now deceased. They founded the league in 1974 and operated it for 25 years.
Hooligan Retires after Four Decades of Service
Lt. Col. Allen Albright, 119th Mission Support Group Commander, retired after nearly 41 years of military service, Feb. 17, 2023, N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Albright has been a key contributor to the N.D. Air National Guard during his long career. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a security forces specialist in 1981 and joined the Happy Hooligans in 1986. There he served in Security Forces eventually earning his commission as a second lieutenant in 1999. As a Hooligan he served in the Judge Advocate General office; as the 119th Wing executive officer; comptroller and later, as the Mission Support Group commander.
Col. Christopher Domitrovich, 119th Wing vice commander, presents Lt. Col. Allen Albright, 119th Mission Support Group Commander, a certificate of retirement in recognition of more than four decades of military service, Fargo, N.D., Feb. 17, 2023.
New HR Employees
Col. Paul Helten, N.D Guard Director of Human Resources (HR), administered the federal civilian oath of office to new employees April Vinchattle and Shyann Trotter during a joint level HR staff meeting at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Jan. 25, 2023. (National Guard story and photo by Maj. Rachael Berg, N.D. Guard Labor/Employee Relations specialist)
These newly appointed HR experts provide a wealth of knowledge and a perspective that will help to enable the transformation of the human resource department within the N.D. National Guard to better engage the future.
As director, Helten's goals are to have an atmosphere of mutual respect, appreciation and collaboration. Part of his efforts includes ensuring that he recognizes and participates in employees' celebration of accomplishments, both personal and professional.
From the Field Campaign
"From the sky to the ground, we've got you covered."
The N.D. National Guard's Task Force Cajetan recently kicked off its first marketing campaign, "From the Field". (National Guard story by 1st Lt. Bruce Shields Jr., N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
This campaign encourages Soldiers and Airmen to submit photos and videos of their National Guard experience. To submit National Guard training, battle selfies, awards and great scenery use the QR code below or click on bit.ly/NDNG-FTF. Follow the simple instructions online.
Some of last week's "From the Field" submissions
Maj. Eric Lothspeich, left, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Alex Walth, fly a UH-72 Lakota helicopter from Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, to Bismarck, N.D., Nov. 16, 2022. Staff Sgt. Dahlstrom was aboard as crew chief. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Dahlstrom, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment)
Check back next week for more from the Airmen and Soldiers' point of view!
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