Photo: Soldiers of the Fargo-based 188th Army Band participating in the annual Bismarck Band Night Parade prepare to leave the North Dakota state capitol grounds at the start of the route, Bismarck, N.D., May 13, 2022. The unit commander, Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Landman, stands at attention on the left side of the formation. (Photo by retired Chief Warrant Officer 5, Kiel Skager, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Civil Support Team Trains to Ensure Peak Efficiency
The 81st Civil Support Team (CST) conducted HAZMAT (hazardous materials) refresher training at Fraine Barracks, May 10 to 12, 2022. (National Guard story by Capt. Jacob Sommerfeld, 81st Civil Support Team) (National Guard photos by Capt. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Lt. Col. Jared Gailey, the Nuclear Medical Science Officer for the Utah National Guard's 85th CST, instructed the course for the 81st CST and for Chief Master Sgt. Kristi Erickson, Emergency Management, 119th Wing. Gailey has 18 years of experience and has participated in several emergency responses throughout the nation.
The three days of training at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck included tabletop scenarios which began with a collective tasks training event on May 12.
SGT Brent Lafontaine, 81st Civil Support Team, right, uses a tablet to take pictures of the complex lab set up, while Sgt. Elise Fettes observes, Bismarck, May 11, 2022.
Sgt. Elise Fettes, left, operates chemical detection equipment on an unknown substance during an exercise at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, May 11, 2022.
188th Army Band Performs in the N.D. State Capital
About 25 Soldiers of the Fargo-based 188th Army Band were in North Dakota's state capital for three musical engagements, May 13 to 14, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kiel Skager, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
On May 13, the band participated in Bismarck's annual Band Night parade which began and ended in the vicinity of the North Dakota state capitol grounds.
Members of the Fargo-based 188th Army Band perform at the Heritage Museum, N.D. State Capitol, May 14, 2022.
Spc. Jordan Kellington, 188th Army Band, performs a saxophone solo during the Blues in Green ensemble in Custer Park, Bismarck, May 14, 2022. Joining the ensemble (blue shirt) is University of Mary student, Patrick Litton. He's a student of Staff Sgt. Brian Lydeen, far right, associate professor of music at the university in his civilian job.
Civic Leader Day
More than 30 N.D. state legislators, elected officials, N.D. National Guard honorary commanders, community leaders and stake holders and participated in Civic Leader Day activities, Camp Grafton Training Center, May 16, 2022. (National Guard story by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
The event, hosted by the N.D. adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, allows participants to interact with senior N.D. National Guard leaders and learn about the National Guard. Most participants began the day by flying to Camp Grafton Training Center from Bismarck, Fargo, Minot and Grand Forks aboard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Activities included a discussion of N.D. National Guard initiatives, Air and Army National Guard component capability briefs, and a tour of CGTC’s current and future training areas. Also included was a tour of the 164th Regional Training Institute's facilities and curriculum, a discussion of the N.D. Army National Guard's recruiting efforts, hands-on demonstrations with the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST), and a Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) lunch.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, right, leads Civil Leader Day participants toward one of two Black Hawk helicopters at the N.D. National Guard's Army Air Support Facility, Bismarck, May 16, 2022. (photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Officer).
One of two Black Hawk helicopters lifts off from the N.D. National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) bound for Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, May 16, 2022. The aircraft transported N.D. state legislators, elected officials, N.D. National Guard honorary commanders, community leaders and stake holders participating in Civil Leader Day activities. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
The EST simulates live weapon training with the U.S. Army individual and crew-served weapons. These simulators include the M2 (50-caliber) machine gun, M240B (7.62mm) machine gun, M-4 carbine (5.56mm), M249 light machine gun (5.56mm), and Mk 19 (40mm) grenade launcher.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason Ostwald, Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC), provides an orientation briefing at the Engagement Skills Trainer, CGTC, May 16, 2022. (National Guard photos by Officer Candidate Michaela Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Civil Leader Day participants fire the M2 (50-caliber) machine gun simulator, at the Engagement Skills Trainer, CGTC, May 16. (National Guard photos by Officer Candidate Michaela Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, watches as Civil Leader Day participants fire the M4 carbine simulator, CGTC, May 16, 2022. (National Guard photo by Officer Candidate Michaela Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Civil Leader Day participants enjoyed a Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) lunch during their visit at Camp Grafton Training Center.
The tour of the capabilities and facilities of the 164th Regional Training Institute was led by Maj. Brett Nelson, officer in charge.
Maj. Brett Nelson, officer in charge, 164th Regional Training Institute (RTI), discusses the training that occurs in this facility for U.S. Army Military Occupational Series (MOS) 12W construction engineer (carpenter/mason), Camp Grafton Training Center, May 16, 2022. (National Guard photos by Officer Candidate Michaela Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
A N.D. Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter transporting Civil Leader Day participants leaves Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, May 16, 2022. (National Guard photos by Officer Candidate Michaela Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
TF MIND Bismarck
Members of the Task Force for Military Issues in North Dakota (MIND), met May 12, 2022, in the Governor's Conference Room inside the State Capitol Building, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Task Force Mind was established by executive order to improve North Dakota's status as a military-friendly state, examine current military challenges, anticipate future military opportunities for the state and our Air Base communities, and develop of a comprehensive statewide strategy.
AF JROTC Orientation Flights
About 35 Fargo public schools Air Force Junior ROTC cadets participated in orientation flights hosted by the N.D. Army National Guard, at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2, Fargo, May 17, 2022. The cadets rode aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. (National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing)
Fargo public schools Air Force Junior ROTC cadets gather for a group photo prior to their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter orientation flight at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2, Fargo, May 17, 2022.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Scott Dickmeyer, Company D, 1st Battalion, 112th Regiment (Air Ambulance), provides informational and safety briefs to Fargo public schools Air Force Junior ROTC cadets before their UH-60 Black Hawk orientation flight, at the N.D. National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility #2, Fargo, May 17, 2022.
NDSU ROTC COMMISSIONING
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Shelly Sizer, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for N.D., rendered keynote remarks at the 2022 spring ROTC commissioning service, Fargo, May 14, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing)
Of the eleven ROTC cadets commissioned, 5 new second lieutenants will serve in the N.D. Army National Guard. These new Guard officers, their branches and unit assignments are Jacob Chapman, Military Intelligence Corps, 131st Military Police Battalion; Denis Duku, Signal Corps, 426th Signal Company; Rochelle Hansen, Adjutant General Corps, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; James Moffet, Corps of Engineers, 815th Engineer Company; and Mason Schwerzler, Military Police Corps, 131st Military Police Battalion.
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Shelly Sizer, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for North Dakota, renders keynote remarks at the North Dakota State University ROTC spring commissioning, Fargo, May 14, 2022.
Leading the Way
Denis Duku, was among the class of 11 North Dakota State University ROTC cadets who were commissioned as U.S. Army second lieutenants in Fargo, on May 14, 2022. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)
Duku is a native of the west African nation of Ghana, N.D. National Guard's partner in the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP) since 2004. He emigrated to Fargo, N.D. in 2006 and in 2013, enlisted in the N.D. Army National Guard as a plumber and heavy equipment operator with the Wahpeton, N.D.-based 188th Engineer Company, and became a U.S. citizen.
When he learned of the SPP, he jumped at the opportunity to return to Ghana to conduct training on “search and rescue operations” in July 2017 as part of this program. He deployed again to Ghana for AFRICOM (U.S. Africa Command) partnership training July 2018 in support of Exercise United Accord. During the 2017 exercise, he and his wife raised over $4,500 for school supplies and engineered donations of other items to Ghanaian school children. In March 2022, Duku donated 50 new i5 computers and accessories to a high school in Ghana.
Duku a traditional Soldier, is the first Ghanian-born officer in the N.D. Army National Guard, and is assigned as a platoon leader with the Fargo-based 426th Signal Company. He's employed by Microsoft in his civilian job.
Dickinson Rotary
A team from the N.D. National Guard attended the annual Dickinson Rotary Armed Forces Day Luncheon, Dickinson, N.D., May 18, 2022. (National Guard story by Col. Tad Schauer, N.D. Air National Guard)
The Rotary requested updates from the N.D. National Guard. Col. Tad Schauer, N.D. National Guard rendered remarks about N.D. Air National Guard while Tech Sgt. Brad Berthold, a N.D. Air National Guard recruiting and retention non-commissioned officer from Bismarck, provided information on benefits and incentives associated with membership.
Col. Russ Wolf, director of N.D. National Guard's Directorate of Facility Engineering, and Mr. Clark Johnson, provided a progress report on the construction of the new Dickinson Readiness Center. Approximately 100 Rotary members participated in this celebration which has been a tradition spanning 25 years.
Retiree Advisory Board
Retired N.D. Army National Guard Col. Vern Fetch was honored for many years of volunteer service with the N.D. National Guard Retiree Advisory Board, May 10, 2022, at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Fetch chaired the Retiree Weekend Reunion committee for more than a decade. This reunion weekend is held annually the first weekend after Labor Day at Camp Grafton Training Center.
Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. National Guard deputy adjutant general, presents retired Colonel Vern Fetch a certificate of appreciation in honor of his volunteer service with the N.D. National Guard Retiree Advisory Board, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, May 10, 2022.
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