Staff Sgt. Austin Bonn, 119th Security Forces Squadron, conducts a search of simulated gate runner suspect Airman 1st Class Lucas Hofer, 119th Communications Flight, during a security forces training exercise at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, July 6, 2022. (National Guard photo by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Gate Runner Exercise
On July 6, 2022, a dark-colored, compact car sped through the N.D. Air National Guard base entrance gate without so much as a wave to security forces. Not to worry, it was an authorized entry as part of a 119th Security Forces gate runner exercise. (Air National Guard photos and story by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
The purpose of the exercise was to train the Happy Hooligan defenders for an incident involving a gate runner, a vehicle that fails to stop for standard security inspection. The exercise modeled similar incidents that occur at other military installations. Almost 200 breach attempts have been made since January 1 through the end of March this year alone, using tactics such as ignoring security at gates. Hooligan security forces must always be prepared to counter this threat.
Simulated gate runner Airman 1st Class Lucas Hofer, 119th Communications Flight, is directed by 119th Security Forces Squadron members Staff Sgt. Austin Bonn, right, and Tech. Sgt. Steven Brauner during a high-risk stop during a security response exercise at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., July 6, 2022.
While security measures are in place at the gates, such as fences, obstacles, and active drop-down barriers, defenders must be always be ready to respond quickly and effectively to thwart any attempted breaches.
Senior 119th Wing leaders observed this gate runner exercise, witnessing first hand the effectiveness of the defenders who quickly apprehended the simulated perpetrator.
Simulated gate runner Airman 1st Class Lucas Hofer, 119th Communications Flight, surrenders as 119th Security Forces Squadron members Staff Sgt. Austin Bonn, right, and Tech. Sgt. Steven Brauner direct him during a high-risk stop during a security exercise at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., July 6, 2022.
“It was very strange, being allowed to drive that fast through the gate and getting arrested,” said Hofer. "I AM GLAD I COULD BE A PART OF SECURITY FORCES TRAINING IF IT HELPS THEM."
The results of a gate runner breach vary, depending on the individual and specific circumstances. The suspect for such an occurrence would likely be turned over to the Fargo Police Department for prosecution.
Simulated gate runner Airman 1st Class Lucas Hofer, 119th Communications Flight, is directed by 119th Security Forces Squadron members Staff Sgt. Austin Bonn, right, and Tech. Sgt. Steven Brauner during a high-risk stop during an security exercise at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., July 6, 2022.
“Our base defenders are highly trained and I thought they demonstrated their skills well during this security exercise,” said Capt. Kristopher Jacobs, 119th Security Forces Squadron commander.
CAP Joint Dakota Encampment
N.D. National Guard members supported the N.D. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) by hosting 75 cadets and 25 senior members during the CAP Joint Dakota Encampment at Camp Grafton Training Center, June 25 to July 2, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Cadet 2nd Lt. Henry Alley, N.D. Civil Air Patrol)
The N.D. National Guard and the N.D. CAP have a longstanding partnership of providing personnel, facilities and equipment to help provide CAP cadets, ages 12 to 21, an immersive and memorable experience and challenging them in a military-oriented environment. This experience provides cadets with leadership skills that will help them throughout their military and civilian careers.
While cadets are mainly from the hosting CAP Wings in North and South Dakota, the event is open to all CAP cadets nationwide. Other participants at this annual event were from Wings in Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Cadets may choose which encampment to attend and some attend two or three a year.
The CAP, an official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, has a federal and state identity, similar to the National Guard. The N.D. CAP is assigned under the Office of the Adjutant General. Their primary missions include emergency response, search and rescue, aerospace education, and a cadet program.
Cadets disembark a UH-60 Black Hawk after their orientation flight at the Civil Air Patrol Joint Dakota Encampment, Camp Grafton Training Center, June 29, 2022.
Sgt. Jared Reimer, left, N.D. Army National Guard, provides a safety briefing for Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets and senior members prior to their orientation flight, Camp Grafton Training Center, June 29, 2022.
In addition to ensuring all passengers were aware of expectations during their orientation flights, N.D. Army National Guard aviators demonstrated their culture of safety that is paramount for effective aviation operations.
A joint Air National Guard, Army National Guard, and Civil Air Patrol team partnered to feed the 100 participants at the CAP Joint Dakota Encampment at Camp Grafton Training Center.
"THE mess personnel PROVIDED BY THE N.D. AIR AND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD WERE TWO OF THE MOST PROFESSIONAL YOUNG MEN THAT I'VE EVER WORKED WITH. THEY DID SUCH A GOOD JOB creating MENUS and KNEW how to effectively operate a messhall. They WORKED HARD TO PROVIDE AWESOME MEALS THREE TIMES A DAY FOR OUR CADETS AND SENIOR MEMBERS all while effectively partnering with CAP personnel who assisted them," said Civil air patrol COL. MARY DONLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA WING.
1st Sgt. Michael Groven, N.D. National Guard, coaches Civil Air Patrol cadets on the proper operation of the M4 carbine rifle in the Engagement Skills Trainer, Camp Grafton Training Center, June 29, 2022.
The annual Joint Dakota Encampment rotates between Camp Grafton Training Center in N.D. and Camp Rapid, S.D. receiving critical support from the National Guard in both states.
"It was great of 1st Sgt Michael Groven to stay an hour and a half past the scheduled time at the Engagement Skills Trainer, so cadets could continue to fire simulated weapons," SAID CADET 2ND LT. HENRY ALLEY, CAP PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER. "the cadets truly enjoyed the extra training."
independence day Parade Mandan
About twenty members of the N.D. National Guard participated in Mandan's annual Independence Day parade, Mandan, N.D., July 4, 2022. This parade has been an annual tradition since 1881. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Soldiers operated five pieces of equipment in the parade led by the adjutant general's privately owned U.S. Army Jeep. Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment drove an AN/TWQ-1 Avenger Air Defense System followed by a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), and a M1977 Common Bridge Transporter with Standard Ribbon Bridge, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge). Members of the 81st Civil Support Team operated a Unified Command Suite and N.D. Air National Guard recruiters operated a patrol vehicle from the Minot Air Force-based 219th Security Forces Squadron.
Spc. Nicole Streyle, 957th Engineer Company, talks with children about the M1977 Common Bridge Transporter before the Mandan Independence Day parade, Mandan, July 4, 2022.
N.D. Army Guard Recruiters support USA Patriot Softball
The N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion provided tents in support of the USA Patriots (formerly Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team), Bismarck, N.D., June 24 to 26, 2022. (National Guard story and photo by Master Sgt. Marv Beck, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion)
The USA Patriots' mission is to bring athletic and veteran amputees together to promote the benefits of inclusive sport and therapeutic recreational activities. The tents allowed USA Patriots players to comfortably visit with fans during temperatures that exceeded 90 degrees at the slow-pitch softball tournament held annually in Bismarck.
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