A North Dakota Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter prepares to takeoff from the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, Feb. 2, 2022. The crews conducted cold weather training as wind chill temperatures fell to minus 16 degrees Fahrenheit. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Hooligans still returning home
Happy Hooligans from the North Dakota Air National Guard continue to return from their regularly scheduled deployments at Hector International Airport. However, the numbers are winding down with only a few remaining Airmen still serving overseas. (National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing)
These deployments are regularly scheduled reserve component period (RCP) deployments in support of the U.S. Air Force air expeditionary force (AEF) operations.
Master Sergeant Dennis ‘DJ’ Olsen, of the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron, is greeted by his wife as he returns home from a six-month deployment to southwest Asia, Hector International Airport, Fargo, N.D., Jan. 31.
Staff Sergeant Alexis Thomas, 119th Logistics Readiness Squadron, is greeted by friends and family as she returns home from a six-month deployment to southwest Asia at Hector International Airport, Fargo, N.D., Jan. 31.
Colonel Mitch Johnson, Commander, 119th Wing, left, greets Maj. Paul Dosch, 119th Force Support Squadron, after he returns from a six-month deployment to southwest Asia at Hector International Airport, Fargo, N.D., Jan. 31.
extreme cold-weather training
The N.D. Army National Guard Aviation braved the minus 16 degrees Fahrenheit wind chill to perform extreme cold-weather flight training at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, Feb. 2, 2022. (National Guard photos and story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The purpose of the training is to test the equipment and personnel in extreme weather conditions. Pilots and crew members are provided cold weather kits in case of an emergency landing. The Army Aviators train Wednesdays nights and practice using night vision goggles in flight.
N.D. Army National Guard uh-60 Black Hawk and UH-72a Lakota helicopters prepare for take-off during extreme cold weather training, Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, Feb. 2, 2022.
A N.D. Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter prepares for take-off during extreme cold weather training, Army Aviation Support Facility, bismarck, n.d., Feb. 2.
religious team professional development
The N.D. National Guard Office of the Chaplain conducted professional development training for all assigned Army and Air Guard chaplains and religious affairs specialists (chaplain assistants), at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Jan. 31, 2022. (National Guard story by Sgt. Jim Vandal, N.D. National Guard Office of the Chaplain)
Topics covered were confidential/privileged communications, moral leadership, religious accommodation and Norse paganism. A breakout session was included among the chaplains and religious affairs specialists. These professional development events are conducted four times a year to bolster effectiveness among the N.D. Army and Air National Guard Religious Support Teams (RSTs). This training allows the RSTs to better support their Airmen, Soldiers and Families.
MILCON Workshop
Major Kristopher Elijah, N.D. National Guard's Facilities Plans and Program manager, virtually attended the Army National Guard (ARNG) Military Construction (MILCON) Workshop, Feb. 1 to 3, 2022. The ARNG MILCON Branch led the workshop via Microsoft Teams. (Photos and story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The ARNG MILCON Branch (IEP-M) provides guidance and instruction on Budget and Programming Guidance updates, Project Criteria Scoring, ECON PAK, the development of 1390/91 for Readiness Centers and Field Maintenance Shops without the assistance of Engineering and Base Operations Support System (ENBOSS) and Information System Cost Estimates.
Major Kristopher Elijah, Facilities Plans and Program Manager, participates virtually in the Army National Guard Military Construction Workshop on Feb. 1.
Construction supervisors course
Students of the N.D. National Guard's 164th Regional Training Institute's (164th RTI) Advanced Leader Course for Construction Engineering Supervisors (MOS 12H30) are tasked with supervising Soldiers in all aspects of vertical construction projects. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class. Lindsay Beckman, 164th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, Camp Grafton Training Center)
This class' project called for sheetrock installation on the ceiling and walls of building 1382. These new living quarters are designed to accommodate up to 8 visiting Soldiers attending 164th RTI classes. The students planned, supervised and executed the project. Those experienced with sheetrock mentored others within the class who were not familiar with this phase of construction. There were a three different crews working simultaneously. One crew in the main commons area while the other two crews worked in the bedrooms.
This course is conducted in a pair of two-week long resident blocks of instruction at the 164th RTI. It trains non-commissioned officers in the supervision of construction, repair, and utility services of buildings, warehouses, fixed bridges, port facilities, and petroleum pipelines, tanks, and related equipment.
Strong Bonds
The N.D. National Guard Office of the Chaplain conducted Strong Bonds training for Soldiers and their spouses, Fargo, N.D., Jan. 28 to 30, 2022. The purpose of the training is to help couples develop resilience in their relationships. (National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing)
The couples participated in the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) throughout the weekend. PREP is designed to help couples build healthy and lasting relationships. One of the pillars of PREP is learning to communicate safely. Other program components discussed during the weekend included Fun/Friendship, commitment, and setting expectations. Overall, the Strong Bonds program is preventative and utilizes education to help married couples focus on making their relationship even better.
The next Strong Bonds event for married couples is titled “Laugh your Way to a Better Marriage” and will be held on March 26, 2022, in Jamestown, N.D. For more information, please contact the chaplain's office at 701-333-3350.
ND Cares, first link partner in suicide awareness education
ND Cares and FirstLink partnered on a television public education announcement featuring N.D. Army National Guard Sgt. Nathen Griffin, 191st Military Police Company in Fargo. (N.D. National Guard story by Michelle Panos, director, ND Cares)
FirstLink received a grant from the N.D. Department of Human Services, Behavioral Health Division, for a campaign to raise awareness about groups who experience some of the highest risks of suicide, one being the military community. FirstLink sought an individual willing to tell their story in order to encourage others others to seek help. Griffin generously agreed to share his story through video, radio and social media posts.
ND Cares used its N.D. Broadcasters Association contract to run a 30-second video version of Griffin telling his story along with the 24-hour Suicide Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), answered by First Link. The television spot began running in N.D. broadcast markets in January.
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