Top photo: Sgt. Brent Lafontaine, 81st Civil Support Team, tests for hazardous material during an exercise at the Bismarck Water Treatment Plant, Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 23, 2022.
MEB welcomes new top enlisted soldier
The 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) conducted a change of responsibility ceremony on Sept. 18, 2022, Fargo, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
This ceremony saw Command Sgt. Major Jason Magnuson formally relinquish duties as the brigade's top enlisted Soldier to Command Sgt. Major Scott Obrigewitch. Magnuson, who's served with the MEB since October 2018, is scheduled to formally assume duties as the N.D. National Guard's senior enlisted leader on Oct. 30. Obrigewitch previously served as the command sergeant major for the 164th Engineer Battalion from December 2018 to December 2021.
Command Sgt. Major Jason Magnuson, right passes the the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade colors to Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, Commander, during the change of responsibility ceremony, Fargo, Sept. 18.
The change of responsibility ceremony is a time honored tradition that allows the Soldiers of a unit to witness the transfer of responsibility from one command sergeant major to another. It's also an opportunity for unit members to celebrate the accomplishments of the outgoing command sergeant major while showing support for the incoming.
"This is an opportunity I welcome - i feel honored and humbled to have been chosen to serve with the great soldiers of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade,” said Command Sgt. Major Scott Obrigewitch.
Command Sgt. Major Scott Obrigewitch addresses the Soldiers of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement at the change of responsibility ceremony on Fargo, Sept. 18, 2022.
In about a month, the brigade will head to Camp Atterbury, Indiana for a Warfighter exercise. The MEB will be a training audience and be evaluated on their capabilities. September’s drill (Inactive Duty for Training) was used for final preparedness and load-out requirements.
When asked how Obrigewitch feels about his new role with the warfighter approaching he said, “The MEB's annual training last summer opened my eyes for the warfighter. although it will present new and unique challenges for us all, we’re all in it together.”
Military Police Change of Command
Soldiers of the N.D. Army National Guard's 131st Military Police Battalion welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony, Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC), Devils Lake, N.D., Sept. 17, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by retired Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard Historian)
Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) commander, presided over a ceremony that saw Lt. Col. Nathan Dicks relinquish command to Lt. Col. Kristopher Elijah. The change of command ceremony is a military tradition that allows Soldiers to witness the transfer of authority from one commanding officer to another.
Dicks has served as the commander since October 2019. Elijah was previously assigned as Camp Grafton Training Center's chief of plans and operations.
engaging with togo partners
Soldiers of the N.D. National Guard's 817th Engineer Company (Sappers) conducted an Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) engagement with Togolese combat engineers in Lome, Togo, Sept. 12 to 23, 2022. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)
This engagement with one of our State Partnership Program partners has real-world implications, as the Togo Armed Forces were attacked by terrorist groups in May 2022. These attacks inflicted multiple casualties, some through the IEDs. The training course was conducted at the Training Centre for Peacekeeping Operations (CEOMP) in Lome.
Sgt. Deyton Slama, 817th Engineer Company (Sapper) conducts an after action review (AAR) with the Togolese Armed Forces engineers after a field training exercise dealing with recognizing IED threats, and reporting the threats up the chain of command, Sept. 20, 2022, at the Training Centre for Peacekeeping Operations (CEOMP), Lome, Togo. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Dale Burdette 817th Engineer Company)
Members of the N.D. National Guard meet with Togo Armed Forces partners during closing ceremonies of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) engagement at the Training Centre for Peacekeeping Operations (CEOMP), Lome, Togo, Sept. 23, 2022. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Dale Burdette, 817th Engineer Company)
The Togo Armed Forces are the 15th largest contributor to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. They have multiple years of experience in Mali, South Sudan, and Côte d'Ivoire.
CST Conducts joint Exercise with city of Bismarck public works
The N.D. National Guard’s 81st Civil Support Team (CST) conducted a joint exercise with the Bismarck Public Works, Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 23, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sergeant Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
81st Civil Support Team members assist each other donning protective suits during a joint exercise with the Bismarck Water Treatment Plant, Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 23, 2022.
The exercise scenario began when the city's water treatment plant on River Road requested assistance in identifying two suspicious packages. One package was dispersing a contaminate into treated water while the second was a Freon source that was causing workers to get sick. Both were designed to halt water purification production at the plant.
81st Civil Support Team members enter the Bismarck Water Treatment Plant during a joint exercise, Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 23, 2022.
The 81st CST supports civil authorities at domestic incident sites with identification and assessment of hazards, advice to the incident commander, and facilitating follow-on military forces during emergencies and incidents. The CST is capable of detecting and identifying chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives.
North Dakota’s 81st CST team, comprised of 22 full-time Army and Air Force National Guard personnel, was authorized by the Department of Defense November 2004.
(National Guard video by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
N.D. Guard Funeral Honors Assist in Korean War Hero's return home
On Sept. 26, 2022, the N.D. National Guard Military Funeral Honors (MFH) team conducted a dignified transfer of remains at the Guard’s Army Air Support Facility in Bismarck. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Pfc. Melvin James Little Bear of Little Eagle, S.D., died during the Korean War on July 21, 1951 as a POW. He was accounted for on July 13, 2022 by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).
Members of the N.D. National Guard Military Funeral Honors (MFH) team wait for an aircraft to land carrying the remains of Pfc. Melvin Little Bear, Sept. 26, 2022, Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck. Little Bear was killed during the Korean War and recently accounted for.
A Veterans honor guard wait for an aircraft to land carrying the remains of Pfc. Melvin Little Bear, Sept. 26, 2022, Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck. Little Bear was killed during the Korean War and recently accounted for.
Burial will be at the All Nations Veterans Cemetery, Fort Yates. This dignified transfer was in support of the S.D. National Guard MFH team.
Honoring the fallen
Staff Sgt. Andrew P. Nelson was formerly honored when his name was added to the North Dakota Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism, Sunday 25, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sara Blazek, N.D. Survivor Outreach Services)
Nelson was killed in action in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, on Aug. 29, 2007 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.
He is the is the 29th Servicemember to be honored by the memorial located at the entrance of the N.D. National Guard headquarters at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck. The memorial dedicated on Sept. 11, 2009, is a joint project between the National Guard and the city of Bismarck.
From left Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general; Staff Sgt. Andrew Nelson's mother, Suzanne and sister Jessica; and Chaplain (Maj.) Chad Gion stand near the plaques that bear the names of the 29 Servicemembers honored by the North Dakota Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism, Bismarck, Sept. 25, 2022.
Nelson was born in Fargo, N.D. and is a 2003 graduate of Fargo Shanley High School. He enlisted in the Army immediately after high school, also serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Camp Grafton supports scouts Merit Badge Weekend
The N.D. National Guard hosted the 12th annual Scouts of America Merit Badge weekend at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) Sept. 23 to 25, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Nicole Frohlich, Military Outreach)
Sgt. 1st Class Runquist shows Scouts how to rethread a pipe for the Plumbing Merit Badge 12th annual Scout Merit Badge Weekend at Camp Grafton Training Center, Sept. 24, 2022.
More than ten current and former N.D. National Guardsman volunteered to provide instruction in support of six Scout merit badges. This instruction included home repair; plumbing, fire safety; orienteering; crime prevention; and fingerprinting. Scouts were given hands-on training and guidance to acquire these Merit Badges.
About 80 Scouts from 15 troops along with 36 adult leaders traveled from as far west as Williston, N.D. and as far east as New York Mills, Minn., to attend this event. Retired Army Maj. Paul Zent has coordinated this event since its inception. He's helped develop a coveted weekend enjoyed by many Scouts who return year after year.
The Scouts slept in barracks, enjoyed fine dining hall cuisine, and experienced a pseudo Army lifestyle for three days.
“I didn’t know that the boy Scouts have a lot of the same values as the Army,” Said scout Wyatt Himmelspach, Troop 425 after talking with a N.D. National Guard recruiter.
Staff Sgt. Braden shows Scout Wyatt Himmelspach how to properly solder copper pipe during the 12th annual Scout Merit Badge Weekend at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) Sept. 24, 2022.
The Scouts unanimous said that the weekend was a huge success and one of the best scouting events they've experienced.
paul Zent agreed that the Scouts were interested in what the instructors had to teach. “The instructors' enthusiasm shines through the eagerness of the kids.”
ESGR Annual Meeting
The N.D. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) held their annual meeting at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC), Sept. 17 to 18, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by retired Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard Historian)
Ronald Bogle, National Chair of ESGR, and Delton Steele, N.D. State Chair of ESGR, lead the training which focused on military employment rights, employer and military outreach and public affairs. Rob Keller, ESGR public affairs director, received the N.D. 2022 Al Palmer volunteer of the year award during the event.
141st MEB Promotions & Retirement
Over the drill (Inactive Duty for Training) weekend, the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) took the opportunity to promote Sam Hansen to the rank of sergeant major. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st MEB)
The unit also promoted Douglas Vickmark to the rank of sergeant first class and Jonathan Hwang to the rank of captain.
The unit also said goodbye to two long-standing Soldiers, Sgt. Thomas Kane and Staff Sgt. Kevin Gibson, both retiring after serving our organization over 20 years.
appreciation
Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, commander, N.D. National Guard Army Component Command, presents Ms. Katrina Mickelsen, N.D. National Guard Human Resource Specialist-Recruitment and Replacement, a certificate of appreciation at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Sept. 29, 2022.
The North Dakota National Guard Human Resources Office met to discuss the accomplishments from fiscal year 2022. This was also a team building opportunity where staff shared a meal and participated in team-building activities. The HRO team continues to support employees and supervisors across the Air and Army National Guard to enable readiness, provide support, and conduct training to ensure the agency provides the ultimate service and support and meets its responsibilities.
During the event Ms. Katrina Mickelsen received a certificate of appreciation for national support to the human resource community of 54 States, Territories, and the District of Columbia, by serving as an instructor for the National Guard Basic Staffing Course, August 2022.
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