TAG Line October 7, 2022

N.D. National Guard static displays were featured in the Fly-ND Career Expo at the Fargo Air Museum, Oct. 6, 2022. From left a N.D. Army National Guard UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopter, along with N.D. Dakota Air National Guard remotely piloted aircraft the MQ-9 Reaper, center, and the MQ-1 Predator.

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Happy Hooligans Fly High for Hawkeye Fury

The 119th Wing, also known as the Happy Hooligans, recently completed a first of its kind exercise, partnering with the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Wing for Exercise Hawkeye Fury, Des Moines, Iowa Sept. 11 to 26, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)

119th Wing Launch and Recovery Element crew chiefs recover an MQ-9 Reaper after a mission in support of Exercise Hawkeye Fury at the Iowa National Guard base, Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 20, 2022.

119th Wing weapons load a GBU 12 missile on an MQ-9 Reaper prior to a mission in support of Exercise Hawkeye Fury at the Iowa National Guard base, Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 19, 2022.

The exercise focused on the ability for the Hooligans to set up two MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), ground control station (GCS) and personnel to a deployed location and for the 132nd Wing to effectively utilize the MQ-9 in support of state and local government emergency response efforts.

119th Wing Launch and Recovery Element crew chiefs recover an MQ-9 Reaper after a mission in support of Exercise Hawkeye Fury Exercise at the Iowa National Guard base, Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 20, 2022.

The 132nd Wing, while operating an MQ-9 mission, has none of these aircraft at their National Guard base. This exercise was an opportunity to have this remotely piloted aircraft operate on their flightline and for Airmen to see them in employed in person.

A 119th Wing Launch and Recovery Element crew chief recovers an MQ-9 Reaper after a mission in support of Exercise Hawkeye Fury at the Iowa National Guard base, Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 20, 2022.

Another aspect of this exercise is to further develop partnerships between the different units and to work jointly with other Department of Defense (DoD) partners to operate the aircraft locally and showcase the potential of the MQ-9 to assist with local domestic operations (DOMOPS).

The Hooligan Airmen benefited from the opportunity to practice Agile Combat Employment (ACE) skills, packing up personnel and equipment, deploying to another base and providing launch and recovery for two MQ-9 aircraft each day.

119th Wing Launch and Recovery Element crew chiefs recover an MQ-9 Reaper after a mission in support of Exercise Hawkeye Fury at the Iowa National Guard base, Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 20, 2022.

Partnerships like this make the Happy Hooligans a leader in providing training opportunities for the entire Air National Guard RPA enterprise.

Hooligan Retiree Breakfast

The 119th Wing Chiefs Council hosted their annual retiree breakfast for approximately 144 retired unit members at the N.D. Air National Guard Base in Fargo, Oct. 5, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing)

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, speaks to retired and current Happy Hooligan Airmen at the annual 119th Wing Chiefs Council retiree breakfast, N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Oct. 5, 2022.

The senior NCOs use the event to honor retired unit members, and to stay connected with them and the local community. Col. Chris Domitrovich, 119th Wing vice commander, took the opportunity to give a presentation on the state of the unit and the Hooligan's role in national defense.

From right to left Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Ford, Senior Master Sgt Erica Carruth and Senior Master Sgt. Brandi Grossman provide name tags as they greet Hooligan retirees at the beginning of the annual 119th Wing Chiefs Council retiree breakfast at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Oct. 5, 2022.

Col Chris Domitrovich, 119th Wing vice commander, gives an organizational update presentation to retired Happy Hooligan unit members at the annual 119th Wing Chiefs Council retiree breakfast at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Oct. 5, 2022.

Senior Master Sgt. Kelly Rezac hands a breakfast plate to retired Chief Master Sgt. Doug Faldet at the annual 119th Wing Chiefs Council retiree breakfast at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Oct. 5, 2022.

Guard Officer assists in Navy Promotion

N.D. National Guard's Col. Brian Keller had the opportunity to promote U.S. Navy officer Cynthia Davis to lieutenant commander, Bismarck, Oct. 1, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)

Previously Davis' mother, Roberta Kunze, has never been able to attend her daughter's promotion ceremonies, so long-time friend of the family, Keller, volunteered to preside over the ceremony. The ceremony was held at Kunze's house while her daughter was home on leave from Naval Station San Diego. Davis, a 1989 Bismarck High School graduate, was a direct commission in the U.S. Navy in 2012.

Col. Brian Keller administers the oath of office to Cynthia Davis during her promotion to lieutenant commander, Bismarck, Oct. 1, 2022.

Roberta Kunze pins lieutenant commander rank on her daughter Cynthia Davis, Bismarck, Oct. 1, 2022.

New Hooligan Chief

The Happy Hooligans celebrated Sgt. Jacob Ryun as their newest chief master sergeant. Ryun was honored by his son affixing his new rank on his uniform during the promotion ceremony. (National Guard story and photo by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)

Lt. Col. Eric Mattson, 119th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, presided over the promotion ceremony.

Happy Hooligan Jacob Ryun has his new rank of chief master sergeant affixed to his uniform by his son during his promotion ceremony at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Oct. 5, 2022.

ND Guard Supports Fly-ND Career Expo

The N.D. Air and Army National Guard participated in Fly-ND Career Expo at the Fargo Air Museum, Oct. 6, 2022. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)

Current and historic N.D. National Guard aircraft were on display at the event including a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter and a North Dakota Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper, and MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft.

A N.D. Air National Guard remotely piloted aircraft MQ-1 Predator aircraft on static display at the Fly-ND Career Expo at the Fargo Air Museum, Oct. 6, 2022.

The event saw both N.D. Army and Air National Guard recruiters work side-by-side to present information and to answer questions about career opportunities in the N.D. National Guard.

Army Guard recruiters Sgt. 1st Class Derek Hjelseth and Spc. Sean Jones had a booth next to Air Guard recruiters Tech. Sgt. Adam Kohls, Airman 1st Class Matthew Schauer and Airman 1st Class Levi Swenson.

N.D. Air National Guard recruiters participated in the Fly-ND Career Expo at the Fargo Air Museum, Oct. 6, 2022.
N.D. Air National Guard remotely piloted aircraft the MQ-9 Reaper, foreground, and the MQ-1 Predator on display at the Fly-ND Career Expo, Fargo Air Museum, Oct. 6, 2022.

A N.D. Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter on static display at the Fly-ND Career Expo at the Fargo Air Museum, Oct. 6, 2022.

North Dakota Army National Guard recruiters took part in the Fly-ND Career Expo at the Fargo Air Museum, Oct. 6, 2022.

The Fly-ND Career Expo event was hosted by the ND Aviation Association and attended primarily by local high school students.

ESGR Spreading the Word

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) provided information about their role in supporting reserve component military members and their employers to delegates of the 53 counties attending the North Dakota Association of Counties annual conference at the Bismarck Event Center, Oct. 3, 2022. (National Guard story and photos Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

ESGR volunteers Rob Keller and Karolin Jappe provided information on the reserve components to attendees of the North Dakota Association of Counties annual conference at the Bismarck Event Center, Oct. 3, 2022.

ESGR's mission is to promote, recognize and develop employer support for Guard and Reserve service through employer outreach opportunities.

ESGR is a resource for N.D. employers who have questions about hiring or working with reserve component members. Employers were invited to sign a personalized Statement of Support certificate to display at their workplace in support of North Dakota’s Guard and Reserve. For more information visit ESGR.mil.

MEB Headquarters Welcomes New Commander

Soldiers of the Headquarters Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) welcomed a new commander, Oct. 1, 2022, Fargo, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)

Col. Ben Cleghorn, commander, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), presided over a ceremony that saw Capt. Tyler Morrow relinquished command to Capt. Travis White.

Outgoing commander Capt. Tyler Morrow, right, passes the Headquarters Support Company guidon to Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, commander, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), during a change of command ceremony, Oct. 1, 2022, Fargo, N.D.

Outgoing commander Capt. Tyler Morrow addresses the Headquarters Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade formation one last time preceding a change of command ceremony, Oct. 1, 2022.

Col. Ben Cleghorn, right, commander, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), passes the Headquarters Support Company guidon to the incoming commander, Capt. Travis White, during a change of command ceremony, Oct. 1, 2022, Fargo, N.D.

Incoming commander of Headquarters Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Capt. Travis White, left, returns the guidon to 1st Sgt. Alex Jahner, during a change of command ceremony, Oct. 1, 2022.

Incoming commander Cpt. Travis White addresses Soldiers of the Headquarters Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade formation for the first time following a company change of command ceremony, Oct. 1, 2022, Fargo, N.D.

“Most captains, I’d think, hope to be given a company command. I’m thankful our leadership has recognized, in me, the qualities expected of this position and have provided me this opportunity,” said White.

Long-time Hooligan Photographer Recognized

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, recognized retired Chief Master Sgt. David Lipp's achievements by presenting him a coin at the 119th Wing Chiefs Council Retiree Breakfast, Oct. 5, 2022, N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D. (National Guard story and photo by Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)

Lipp, the Hooligan's public affairs superintendent, has supported the N.D. National Guard's (NDNG) public affairs operations with expert photography and videos for over two decades. He retired from uniformed service about a year ago but continued as a full-time civilian employee. He will retire altogether in November 2022.

Working countless hours during the NDNG's 2009 and 2011 flood and COVID-19 response, his media products were featured not only by local media outlets, but countless photographs have been featured by National Guard Bureau and U.S. Air Force media and continue to surface in many media sources to include print and other online publications.

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, presents retired Chief Master Sgt. David Lipp a coin in recognition of his many significant achievements, Oct. 5, 2022, N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D.

Lipp's significant media contributions have been instrumental in telling the Guard story to include authoring the 119th Wing's 70th Anniversary book released last summer.

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Created By
Charles Highland