3662nd Support Maintenance Company participates in Operation Northern Strike 19
During annual training in Camp Grayling, Mich., the 3662nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC) conducted a vehicle recovery during convoy operations in a simulated combat environment. The unit is participating in operation Northern Strike 19. With more than 6,000 participants from 10 countries and 22 states, Northern Strike is one of the Department of Defense’s largest Joint, Reserve-component exercises. This event was hosted by Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and Aleena Combat Readiness Training Center, as well as over the skies of northern Michigan and Lake Huron. Top photo: A 3662nd SMC Soldier responds to a simulated attack on his convoy on July 27 at Camp Grayling during operation Northern Strike 19.
Hooligans participate in Exercise PATRIOT North 19
Several members of the 119th Wing participated in the Patriot North 19 exercise last week at Volk Field, Wis. This is a domestic operations exercise sponsored by the National Guard Bureau, involving the National Guard, involving local, state and federal civilian organizations focusing on operating in a joint domestic response situation involving inter-agency coordination, policies and procedures. The exercise focus is on increasing the understanding of coordination, policies and procedures required while conducting a joint, inter-agency domestic response to a natural disaster or emergency situation. Protecting the homeland by responding to natural and man-made threats and hazards is a primary National Guard mission. 1st Lt. Jeremiah Colbert and Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs, provided public affairs coverage for the exercise.
119th Wing Emergency Management team members, including Senior Master Sgt. Kristi Erickson (right) and Master Sgt. Jason Dewar, participated in a simulated chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) disaster scenario during exercise Patriot North 19 at Volk Field, Wis. The team transported, set-up and managed a lightweight inflatable decontamination system (LIDS) to facilitate decontamination of affected first-responders.
Right photo: Master Sgt. Andrew Frovarp (center), 119th Security Forces Squadron, participated at Patriot North 19 as an antagonist in several simulated crowd control scenarios. This simulated unrest allowed Security Forces Airmen and members of the Wisconsin State Patrol to practice crowd control tactics against unruly groups of citizens who were agitated at the government's slow response to a simulated natural disaster situation.
Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, (left) records video of the exercise. The 119th Wing Public Affairs provided photo, video and written coverage of the exercise as part of the Patriot North 19 public affairs team at Volk Field, Wisconsin.
188th Army Band Rocks Western North Dakota
The 188th Army Band showcased their musical proficiency and agility while performing in both Medora and Bismarck in support of community events. The marching band and the Flatland Dixie Band performed in Medora on July 20 and the Blues in Green ensemble conducted a concert on July 23 at Bismarck’s Custer Park. These professional Soldier-musicians always do an excellent job representing the North Dakota National Guard.
Sgt. 1st Class Brian Tucker leads the 188th Army Band in a parade in Medora, N.D. in celebration of the sixth annual Badlands Chattauqua on July 20. This event features a gathering of Theodore Roosevelt impersonators and friends. Thirteen impersonators appeared for the celebration, trailing behind the marching band.
Sgt. 1st Class DeAnn Fylling directs the marching band on stage performing before the Medora Musical on July 20.
The 188th Army Band's "Blues in Greens" ensemble performs in Bismarck. From left to right: Sgt. Sam Kroll, Staff Sgt. Brent Rider, Staff Sgt. Aaron Bedford, Spc. Zachary Fischer, Sgt. 1st Class DeAnn Fylling, Sgt. Nathan Johnson, Sgt. Kacie Edwards Pahl and Sgt. Leah Brooks.
Guard Soldiers Assist in Romanian Port Accident
While overseeing equipment recovery operations from Exercise Saber Guardian 2019 in Romania, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Steve Hoikkala and Staff Sgt. Leonard Hoback, an Illinois National Guard Soldier, witnessed a serious accident on July 17 while returning from Port of Constanta. A 55-year old Romanian man was struck by an oncoming car. When no first responders or police crews responded Hoikkala and Hoback put their leadership skills into action by taking control of the accident scene. Despite the language barrier, Hoback began to control traffic keeping the accident area safe while Hoikkala rendered aid to the victim while simultaneously calling “112”, the Romanian equivalent to the U.S. 911. When a firefighter arrived Hoikkala noticed the man was not breathing, and urged the firefighter to begin CPR. CPR was rendered for about 2 or 3 minutes until proper medical personnel arrived and began to treat the victim. The two Soldiers continued to assist medical personnel until the victim was taken into an ambulance. Unfortunately, the man passed away despite the efforts of the two Guardsmen. While on foreign soil, these Soldiers demonstrated the Army values of selfless service and personal courage and were excellent ambassadors of the United States and the National Guard.
Black Hawk Support to Fargo Air Sho
Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment participated in the 2019 Fargo Air Sho, July 20 and July 21. The Army aviators demonstrated their skills in filling, maneuvering and emptying a 600 gallon Bambi bucket with their Black Hawk. This wildfire suppression exhibition was conducted on both days of the show demonstrating this important National Guard capability to tens of thousands of people. Additionally, the Black Hawk provided a helicopter jump platform for the U.S. Navy's Leapfrogs, a SEAL parachutist demonstration team on July 20.
Department of Emergency Services' Public Outreach Program
Members of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) met with Dickinson community on July 25 to gather information about potential hazards and threats in Stark County and surrounding areas. The event, one in a series called "Community Coffee," is a public outreach strategy originated to develop further partnerships between the State of North Dakota and local and tribal mitigation planning teams. This type of information gathering event assists NDDES response planning by identifying potential risks posed by disasters and learning about the unique needs of communities served. The NDDES is under the authority of the Office of the Adjutant General.
Kathleen Donahue (podium), NDDES deputy planning chief and Joel Quanbeck, engineering project manager at KLJ, led a conversation with attendees on how to develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural and technological hazards, as well as to build disaster-resilient communities.
New North Dakota Guard Chaplain Begins Duties
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jon Wymer began his duties as the Joint Force Headquarters chaplain while Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson attends the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania for the next nine months. Wymer was assigned to the Nebraska National Guard prior to coming to North Dakota. He began his military career as an enlisted Infantry Soldier and served a combat tour in Iraq as a Cavalry platoon leader prior t o transferring to the Chaplain Corps. The chaplain can be reached at 701-333-3006 or 701-205-5952 (mobile). Email: jonathan.d.wymer2.mil@mail.mil.
The North Dakota National Guard's Chief of Staff, Col. Paul Harron (left) administered the oath of office to newly assigned Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jon Wymer at Fraine Barracks, Bismark on July 25.
ESGR Bosslift
Civilian employers from the Bismarck and Mandan area spent time with members of the North Dakota Army National Guard on July 17. The employers included an editor, engineer, teacher, veterinarian, park manager and office assistant. After riding a Black Hawk helicopter from Bismarck to the Camp Grafton Training Center, the employers toured camp and spoke with representatives from functional areas and received a hands-on perspective of the Army National Guard mission. These activities are part of the "Bosslift" program sponsored by the North Dakota Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Serving in the National Guard would not be possible without the excellent support and cooperation provided by employers of our North Dakota Soldiers and Airmen.