Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, virtually presents a recognition coin to Staff Sgt. Vanessa Curtis, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Feb. 9, 2022. Curtis, honored for her exceptional performance in assisting Soldiers with managing support forms and officer evaluation reports, participated from the conference room at the Fargo Readiness Center, Fargo, N.D. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
CST trains in Williston
U. S. Army North (Fifth Army) provided the 81st Civil Support Team (CST) collective lane training in the Agri-Sport Complex, Williston, N.D., February 1 to 3, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Capt. Jacob Sommerfeld, 81st Civil Support Team)
Lane training is a technique allowing teams or units to conduct drills that combine individual skills to rehearse and gain proficiency in support of that team's (or unit) collective task necessary for mission accomplishment. In this training scenario, the 81st CST were tasked with identifying an unknown substance, and to advise civilian medical responders of possible hazards and treatment options. The team also assessed decontamination methods for the personnel exposed to the simulated hazard.
The 81st CST provides assistance to civil authorities in their response to emergencies. This training partnered the 81st CST with the Williston Fire Department, Williams County Emergency Management Department, and Williams County Sheriff’s Office, along with representation from the regional FBI office.
This training was designed to prepare the 81st CST for their external evaluation scheduled for May 2022.
Sergeant Elise Fettes, 81st CST, employs specialized equipment to conduct analysis of an unknown white substance found in a hockey rink during multi-day collective lane training in Williston, Feb. 1, 2022.
Commander at the gates
Colonel Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander, worked with 119th Security Forces Squadron members at the installation entry control point at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Feb. 3, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David Lipp, 119th Wing)
Johnson has a focus on MISSION, PEOPLE, TEAMS. It's in this spirit that he decided to serve as a Security Forces (SF) augmentee, working alongside Hooligan defenders to check I.D.s in sub-zero temperatures. To prepare Johnson for work at the entry point, he participated in security forces augmentee training, which provides weapons familiarization and a working knowledge of procedures employed for base protection. Johnson’s presence heated up the comradery and boosted morale at the main gate on a frigid winter day.
Installation entry controllers validate I.D.s with the Defense Biometrics Identification System (DBIDS) reader for each person prior to allowing entry. If DBIDS is unavailable (i.e. malfunction) installation entry controllers will conduct a visual hands-on inspection of credentials.
Colonel Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander, center, talks with 119th Security Forces Squadron members Senior Airman Emmett Drengson, left, and Staff Sgt. Alexander Nienas at the installation entry control point, N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, Feb. 3, 2022.
Johnson used a DBIDS wireless scanner to verify I.D.s. He also validated visitor credentials with hands-on inspection prior to granting access to the base.
Colonel Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander, checks driver identification for entry onto the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, under the supervision of Staff Sgt. Alexander Nienas, 119th Security Forces Squadron, Feb. 3, 2022.
Training New Recruits
Soldiers of the N.D. Army National Guard's Recruit Training Company (RTC), Fargo Detachment, spent the weekend training in valuable Soldier skills, Fargo Readiness Center, Fargo, N.D., Jan. 29 to 30, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Spc. Sean Jones, Recruiting Non-Commissioned Officer assistant)
They conducted land navigation training, learned the basics of rank structure, reviewed the Soldier’s Creed and general orders using the Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS 3).
The VBS 3 is a training tool created by the U.S Army’s Combined Arms Training Center and is used to introduce and develop the “crawl and walk” phases of unit training. The VBS 3 can support about 102 different combined arms training tasks from individual Soldier to company level tasks. It provides beginner and intermediate Soldiers an effective virtual environment to learn and reinforce new skills.
Last Hooligan Home
The last Happy Hooligan is home from this past year's reserve component period 6 (RCP6) deployment cycle. Senior Airman Joel De La Cruz returned to a warm welcome from family and friends upon completion of his six-month deployment at Hector International Airport, Fargo, N.D., Feb. 6, 2022. De La Cruz is the last of more than 125 Hooligans to return from deployment in the last year. (National Guard story and photos by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing)
Colonel Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander, right, greets Senior Airman Joel De La Cruz, of the 119th Logistics Readiness Squadron, upon his return from a six-month deployment to southwest Asia at Hector International Airport, Fargo, N.D., Feb. 6, 2022.
State Partnership
Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, attended the 2022 U.S. Africa Command’s Chief of Defense (CHOD) conference held in Rome, Italy. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, State Partnership Program Director)
The purpose of the conference was to discuss current and future engagements with our African partners. Dohrmann took the opportunity to meet with N.D. State Partnership Program partners, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Forty of the fifty-four African countries were represented at the conference. Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) were represented by Brig. Gen. Nicolas Andoh, Chief of Staff, and Benin's Chief of Defense, Vice Admiral Aho.
The purpose of the conference was to discuss current and future engagements with our African partners Ghana, Togo and Benin. There were 40 of the 54 African countries represented at this conference. Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) were represented by Brig. Gen. Nicolas Andoh, Chief of Staff, and Benin's Chief of Defense, Vice Admiral Aho.
From left, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Victor Maduka, Senior Defense OFFICIAL and Defense Attaché for Ghana, Togo, and Benin; Brig. Gen. Nicolas Andoh, Chief of Staff, Ghana Armed Forces; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general; and Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, Director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program.
The theme for the CHOD conference was 'Shared Investment for a Shared Future'. Five topics were discussed:
- Crisis Preparation for disasters, along with recovery efforts during man-made or natural disasters.
- Threats to security, observing the rule of law, peacekeeping operations, violent extremist organizations, and professionalization of the military.
- Protecting resources, including efforts to combat environmental terrorism, and illegal mining/poaching/fishing.
- Effects of technology, and ways to leverage technology in military operations to include cyber.
- Interoperability, which included professionalization within institutions and building relationships with government and non-government organizations.
North dakota Air Defenders Deployment Update
“We have the Watch”
As the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th ADA), reaches the half way point in their mobilization to the National Capital Region (NCR), Col. Stephen Walker, hosted a town hall, Joint Base Andrews, Jan. 28, 2022. (National Guard story by Capt. Arthur "AJ" Christiansen, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment)
Walker, South Carolina National Guard, serves as commander of Task Force Veritas (TF Veritas), which leads the air defense effort in the NCR in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Senior leaders of TF Veritas and 1-188th ADA took the stage and answered questions from Soldiers. The mission, purpose and expectations were re-emphasized to ensure all Soldiers understand the task forces' commander's intent through the finish line.
The 1-188th ADA’s first six months in the NCR, saw the N.D. air defenders achieve a high standard of excellence. The N.D. Soldiers completed a ground-based alert forces evaluation from U.S. Army North (ARNORTH) and an operational readiness exercise conducted by the 263d Army Air Missile Defense Command (AAMDC). Both evaluations featured zero deficiencies and received exceptional comments from evaluators.
Walker recognized eight N.D. Guard Soldiers with coins for their contributions to the successful evaluations. These Soldiers were honored with the moniker of “Heroes of the Battle” by the inspection teams.
Walker also recognized the Soldiers of the Avenger maintenance section for their outstanding efforts in support of TF Veritas.
Col. Stephen Walker, left, Task Force Veritas commander, prepares to recognize N.D. Guard Soldiers with coins, Joint Base Andrews, Jan. 28, 2022. From left Spc. Nathan Symington, Pfc. Benjamin Pesek, Spc. Ty Boucher, Sgt. Adam Lynnes, Sgt. Stephen Brooks and Staff Sgt. Nathan Lynnes. (National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Kaitlyn Gura, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment)
These recognitions demonstrate the sustained excellence and high standards set by N.D. National Guard Soldiers. The 1-188th ADA continues to live up to its motto, “Forever Vigilant”.
Professional Development
Ms. Carmen Schacher, CHI St. Alexius Health, led this month's professional development at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Feb. 9, 2022. Her briefing, which was livestreamed across the N.D. National Guard, explained the Employee Assistance Program available to Federal employees (Title 5 and Title 32) of the N.D. Army National Guard. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a short-term, confidential assessment/counseling/referral service providing up to eight sessions for Federal employees during the calendar year.
The sessions are staffed by trained professionals who help evaluate concerns and take positive action to resolve them. If counseling is necessary beyond eight sessions, the EAP counselor will assist in referring to another community agency.
The N.D Army and Air National Guard have different contracts for EAP so the services differ. If you are unsure what services are available to you, please direct all inquiries to the Human Resources Office at 701-333-3366.
APPRECIATION
After this month's professional development, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, recognized two non-commissioned officers with coins at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Feb. 9, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Staff Sgt. Vanessa Curtis, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Sgt. Bodine Hoge, 131st Military Police Battalion, were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the N.D. National Guard's mission. Hoge's presentation was in person, while Dohrmann awarded Curtis her coin virtually.
Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, right, presents Sgt. Bodine Hoge, 131st Military Police Battalion, a recognition coin, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Feb. 9, 2022. Hoge was recognized for his outstanding performance in training staff and members on the Integrated Personnel and Pay System, awards boards and Integrated Personnel Electronic Records Management System (IPERMS).
LT. Col. Aubol Retires
A retirement ceremony for Lt. Col. Jodee Aubol, took place at American Veterans (AMVETs) building, Bismarck, Feb. 4, 2022. Aubol, former commander of the N.D. Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion, retired after serving her country and the N.D. National Guard for over 29 years. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Aubol received the Legion of Merit for distinguished service in strategic and visionary leadership as commander of the N.D. Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
Lieutenant Colonel Jodee Aubol holds her husband's hand as she looks over to family and friends at her retirement ceremony at the Bismarck Amvets, Feb. 4, 2022.
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