N.D. National Guard's Civil Support Team Leads Training in S.D.
The 81st Civil Support Team (CST) commander, Lt. Col. Lila Teunissen, along with Maj. Aaron Norgaard, medical officer and 1st Lt. Jacob Sommerfeld, operations officer, recently traveled to Aberdeen, S.D. from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24 to guide a three-day training exercise they developed. The exercise was designed to assist the S.D. National Guard's 82nd CST and the city of Aberdeen’s Fire Dept, Emergency Medical Services, as well as the regional Weapons of Mass Destruction-FBI team from Minn. The first two days were held at the waste water reclamation facility in Aberdeen and focused on radiation and chemical labs. The third day was held at Glacial Lakes Energy, Mina, S.D. and concentrated on responses to chemical and biological attacks. These exercises and scenarios help develop interagency coordination and increase the understanding of each other's capabilities. The FBI joined the exercise on the second and third day, acted as the Incident Commander and supplemented the CST entry teams. Top photo: Lt. Col. Lila Teunissen evaluates S.D.'s 82nd CST personnel's techniques and procedures during training at Aberdeen, S.D. on Oct. 24.
S.D. National Guard's 82nd Civil Support Team (CST) members prepare their equipment before entering a simulated contaminated area established by members of N.D. National Guard's 81st CST on Oct 23 in Aberdeen, S.D.
Religious Support Teams
Quarterly, the N.D. National Guard Office of the Chaplain conducts training for all chaplains and religious affairs specialists in both the Army and Air National Guard. Typically, speakers representing agencies that the Religious Support Teams (RST) work with, render presentations. This event featured Darcie Handt, N.D. Cares, and Mandi Malo, N.D. National Guard Child and Youth Program. They discussed how their programs affect Soldiers, Airmen and our communities, and how resources from these agencies may assist Guard members in need.
Happy Hooligan Safety Program
The N.D. Air National Guard set a record for fewest number of reportable injuries in their history for fiscal year 2019. The unit had only six reported injuries from Oct. 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019 beating the previous record of 13, set in fiscal year 2015. The Wing only had two between Memorial Day and Labor Day, a period known as the 101 critical days of summer, which helped set the record. Factors that cause an injury to be reportable include the extent of treatment, restricted work status and dollar amount threshold reached as a result of a mishap. Lt. Col. Steve Larson, 119th Wing chief of safety, attributes the record low level of injuries to the enhanced awareness and efforts of all Hooligans and the unit safety representatives. The challenge is to continue this high level of safety.
Master Sgt. Tamara Stavenes, 119th Wing Occupational Safety Specialist, monitors the colored smoke from an M18 smoke grenade during the June 7 exercise at the N.D. Dakota Air National Guard Base.
N.D. Army Guard Leaders Meet at Camp Grafton
Main Street ND Summit
Members of the N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) participated in the Main Street ND Summit held in Bismarck Oct. 29 to Oct. 31. Topics and activities featured discussions on hazard mitigation and community resilience.
Kathleen Donahue, deputy chief of NDDES planning section, participated on a panel titled "Community Planning 101" on Oct. 31, where she emphasized the importance of hazard mitigation planning as an investment in communities.
Photo: Cody Schulz, N.D. Homeland Security director, moderated a panel that focused on community resilience and using a "whole-of-community" approach when recovering from disasters.
N.D. Army National Guard Recruiters were also involved with the Governor's Main Street North Dakota Summit by providing information about serving in the Army Guard. They had the unique opportunity to meet the U.S. Surgeon General who was a keynote speaker for the event.
Photo: From left, Capt. Dave Stein; Vice Adm. Jerome Adams (U.S. Surgeon General), Spc. Mackenzie Nagel and Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Hoefer. Nagel and Hoefer are with the Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
Halloween Celebrated by Guard Families in Bismarck and Fargo
Halloween celebrations sponsored by the N.D. National Guard Child and Youth Program in Bismarck and Fargo saw a record number of military children participating in a myriad of activities. On Oct. 28 in Bismarck's RJB Armory, over 550 children and 450 adults participated while on Oct. 29, the Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center hosted about 110 children and 82 adults. Guard employees in both locations volunteered to host events and activities for the children's amusement. This annual Halloween celebration supports the social, emotional and academic needs of military children and youth. Activities like this encourage the development of positive self-esteem, self-confidence, team skills and leadership abilities for the military children that participate.