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TAG Line January 20, 2023

Members of the N.D. National Guard and N.D. Department of Emergency Services convoy to a remote location to test emergency response communications, near Grassy Butte, North Dakota, Jan. 5, 2023. (National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)

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Testing Emergency Response Communications in Remote North Dakota

The N.D. National Guard, along with the N.D. Department of Emergency Services conducted a communications experiment using Starlink techonology in the western part of the state on Jan. 5, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)

The goal was to improve communications during disaster response in remote locations where cell phone use and internet access may not be reliable or even available. Establishing a reliable video feed between the response site and the Guard's Joint Operations Center (JOC) in Bismarck was also evaluated. This commercial system was tested near Grassy Butte, N.D. on a day where temperatures topped out at 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

While on site the National Guard members also exercised a military VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) system. The VSAT is also able to provide two-way communications vital during emergency response, however, may not have the same capabilities as the Starlink.

Master Sgt. David Hogue, left, and Staff Sgt. Marty Mosbrucker, both members of N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, set up a VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) in a remote location near Grassy Butte, N.D., Jan.5, 2023.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeremy Drechsel, project manager for the 119th Wing Communications Flight, sets up a Starlink system to provide internet communications in remote locations near Grassy Butte, North Dakota on January 5, 2023.

Historically, emergency response such as the spring 2021 wildland fires near Roosevelt Creek in Billings County, N.D. would benefit from this system by improving communications between fire fighters on the ground and supporting entities like N.D. National Guard helicopters. Leveraging available civilian technology is an effective way to improve the Guard's state emergency response capability.

Senior Master Sgt. Danelle Card, left, of the 119th Wing Operations Group, Col. Ryan Ayers, center, N.D. Air National Guard Director of Staff for Air and Clint Fleckenstein, an autonomous systems and communications specialist for the N.D. Department of Emergency Services communicate with the Guard's Joint Operations Center (JOC) in Bismarck via laptop video over Starlink system, near Grassy Butte, N.D., Jan. 5, 2023.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing satellite internet access coverage to 45 countries.

Clint Fleckenstein, an autonomous systems and communications specialist for the N.D. Department of Emergency Services, tests a video feed from an Unmanned Arial System (UAS), using the Starlink system near Grassy Butte, N.D., Jan. 5, 2023.

Military Police Award

Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, commander 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, presented Sgt. 1st Class Kayla Rohrer, 164th Engineer Battalion, the Military Police (MP) Regimental Association bronze "Order of The Marechaussee", Jan. 18, 2023, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Paul Rohrer, 131st MP Battalion)

Rohrer is the fifth Soldier and the first female in the N.D. National Guard to receive this regimental award which was presented in recognition of her 16 years of accomplishments and dedication to the U.S. Army MP Regiment. She was nominated by Sgt. 1st Class Stephanie Thielges.

According to the MP Regimental Association website the criteria for this award is for an individual to have demonstrated exceptional dedication, competence, and contribution to the Regiment over an extended period of time.

Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, commander 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, presents Sgt. 1st Class Kayla Rohrer the Military Police (MP) Regimental Association bronze "Order of The Marechaussee", Jan. 18, 2023, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. 1st Sgt. Alan Derrick, 816th Military Police Company, participated in the presentation ceremony. Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Stephanie Thielges, 131st Military Police Battalion.

Rohrer is currently assigned as the senior human resources noncommissioned officer for the 164th Engineer Battalion in Minot.

The Order of the Marechaussee, bronze level, bears Staff Sgt. Kayla Rohrer's name.

Joint Operations Center Training

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) led a Joint Operations Center (JOC) emergency response training course for the N.D. National Guard at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, January 18 to 20, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The JOC is a jointly (Army and Air National Guard members) operated entity which serves as the adjutant general's command and control platform to direct, plan, monitor and guide all aspects of N.D. National Guard forces in support of emergency response. The training culminated with an emergency response exercise on the final day. The mock emergency scenario was responding to a wildland fire in the Badlands of western North Dakota.

Service members inside the Joint Operations Center (JOC) during a course culminating emergency response exercise, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, Jan. 20, 2023.

The course teaches military members of the JOC's role and functions during domestic emergency response operations.

Lt Col. Dan Murphy, J-3 domestic operations director, right discusses exercise play with a member of U.S. Northern Command at the Joint Operations Center (JOC), Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, Jan. 20, 2023.

Service members inside Joint Operations Center (JOC) plotting support locations on a map during the culminating emergency response exercise, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, Jan. 20, 2023.

Capt. Rob Sorensen, left, and Capt. Cory Cavett, work inside the N.D. National Guard's Joint Operations Center (JOC) during the culminating emergency response exercise, Fraine Barracks, Jan. 20, 2023.

The JOC is operated by members of the N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, 119th Wing, 68th Troop Command, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and Camp Grafton Training Center.

Lt Col. Dan Murphy, J-3 domestic operations director, discusses requesting assets from outside the state during the culminating emergency response exercise, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, Jan. 20, 2023.

Warrant Officer Commissioning

Tessa Hogan was commissioned as a warrant officer on Jan. 13, 2023, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Branched Adjutant General Corps, Warrant Officer 1 Hogan serves full-time in the N.D. Army National Guard G-1 and is assigned as a traditional Soldier with the 164th Engineer Battalion, Minot. In November 2022, she returned from a year-long deployment to the southwest border with the 957th Engineer Company.

Warrant Officer 1 Tessa Hogan's rank is affixed to her uniform by her husband Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sean Hogan, Jan. 13, 2023, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dan Fitzner administers the oath of office to newly appointed Warrant Officer 1 Tessa Hogan, Jan. 13, 2023, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D.
Newly appointed Warrant Officer 1 Tessa Hogan, right, accepts her first salute from Sgt. Maj. Tamara Handegard, Jan. 13, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

Military Appreciation

The Mandan High School’s boys and girls wrestling teams held a Parent and Military Appreciation event, Mandan, Jan. 19, 2023. The event recognized parents and military members in the community for their support for the Mandan Braves wrestling program. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Cody Schmidt and Staff Sgt. Adrena Gabel, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, received appreciation awards during the event for their service in the military and as coaches for Mandan High School wrestling.

Staff Sgt. Colin Rutten, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, is flanked by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Cody Schmidt, left, and Staff Sgt. Adrena Gabel, both of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, who were honored at Parent and Military Appreciation event, Mandan High School, Mandan, N.D., Jan. 19, 2023.

Schmidt has been coaching wrestling since 2006, for youth, boys, and girls wrestling. Gabel is finishing up her first year of coaching and plans to continue coaching. Both Guard members wrestled in college in North Dakota.

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Created By
Charles Highland
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