Top photo: Family members hold a welcome sign for their Soldier, a member of the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment, Bismarck Municipal Airport, June 18, 2022.
Hooligans Conduct Medical Training in South Pacific
About 33 Happy Hooligans of the N.D. Air National Guard's 119th Medical Group participated in Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) 2022, a joint U.S. Department of Defense medical assistance operation held June 10 to 23, 2022, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. (National Guard story by David Lipp, 119th Wing) (National Guard photos and videos by Senior Airman Brody Katka, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The participating Happy Hooligans included personnel from dental services, aerospace medical technicians, medical personalists, administrative personnel, medical providers and public affairs.
A request for medical services for the underserved people on the island of Kauai was submitted by local Kauai District Health Office, Department of Health, to the National Guard Bureau. The IRT was approved and provided training opportunities for members of the Air National Guard, Army National Guard, U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves, and the U.S. Marine Corps.
Senior Airman Alexandria Steiger, health technician, 119th Medical Group, assesses a patient's blood pressure during Tropic Care 2022 in Lihue, Hawaii, June 13, 2022.
North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Medical Group, along with the 149th Medical Group, Texas Air National Guard, were selected as co-leads of this humanitarian training operation.
“It’s a great opportunity to provide hands-on training for our Airmen while simultaneously providing no-cost medical, dental and optometry care for people in need,” said Col. Joseph Wyatt, commander, 119th Medical Group and officer in charge of Tropic Care IRT mobile sites.
Staff Sgt. Kayla Dalquist, 119th Medical Group, right, is among the optometry personnel serving during Tropic Care 2022 Innovative Readiness Training (IRT), Lihue, Hawaii, June 13, 2022.
Mobile medical treatment sites were set up in schools to make them easily accessible for the local people. Because the treatment sites were not created for medical treatment purposes, they locations provide ideal field military medical training.
“This has been incredibly valuable because it is very similar to setting up medical treatment sites in a deployment location using sites of opportunity rather than working out of clinics and hospitals,” said Wyatt.
Chief Master Sgt. Merri Jo Filloon, senior enlisted leader, 119th Medical Group , prepares in-processing documents during Tropic Care 2022, Lihue, Hawaii, June 13.
The island’s tourism and economy was severely impacted by COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. Accordingly, a number of people on the island have difficulty obtaining medical care.
Hundreds of citizens showed up for treatment over the course of the operation.
2nd Lt. Kally Anderson, a nurse with the 119th Medical Group, assesses a patient's blood pressure in Lihue, Hawaii, June 14, 2022.
“I am extremely proud of our Happy Hooligan Airmen and the effective way they worked together with members of other branches of military service and the Hawaii public health department. They jelled together from day one to provide professional medical care to the people of Kauai,” said Wyatt.
835th Engineers Return Home
About 50 Soldiers of the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment returned home in time for Father's Day on June 18 and 19, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Most of the Soldiers flew into airports in Fargo, Minot, Grand Forks and Bismarck. Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general, and Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, commander, N.D. Army National Guard, were at the Bismarck Municipal Airport to greet Soldiers who arrived there. The engineers spent nearly a year in U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations working on construction projects.
Medical Visit - Ghana
Col. Todd Schaffer and Brian Keller, N.D. Army National Guard state surgeon and deputy state surgeon respectfully, recent met with Dr. Kwaku Darkwa, Sanford International Clinics, for a tour of the Sanford World Health Clinic in Ghana, Adenta region. (National Guard story and photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
Dr. Kwaku Darkwa, right, speaks with Col. Todd Schaffer, Ghana, June 19, 2022.
Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the United States, is partners with clinics in four different regions of Ghana. In his civilian profession Dr. Schaffer serves as president and CEO of Sanford Bismarck.
Best in Brigade
The 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) Forward (957th Engrs) earned the Best Legion Award during the first six months (Oct 2021-Apr 2022) of their deployment to the southwest border. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. Yajuamungu Kiromba, 957th Engineer Company)
The Engineer Soldiers proved to be the best company assigned to the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade during this mission. The award is presented to the unit with the best average safety rating, professional military education completions, diagnostic Army Combat Fitness Test score, and volunteer hours in the community.
Col. Kent D. Cavallini, commander, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, right, presents the Best Legion Award to Capt. Mark Buske, commander, 957th Engineer Company (Forward), Del Rio, Texas, June 19.
As the 957th Engrs Soldiers culminate their mission, they continue to make great strides in their accomplishments as professional Soldiers during their duty at the southwest border.
Fraine Barracks House Demolition Continues
The 957th Engineer Company continued the demolition of a condemned house at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., June 17, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
Fraine Barracks serves as the site as the headquarters for the N.D. National Guard and the N.D. Department of Emergency Services.
Spc. Andrew Beine, 957th Engineer Company, uses a John Deere 240D Hydraulic Excavator to transfer debris from the basement of the demolished house to dumpsters, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D. June 17, 2022.
The house, built in the 1920's has not been used in many years. Condemned a few years ago, Guard officials realized it was great engineer equipment training. Therefore, the former quarters was placed on a list of potential engineering projects for tactical unit training consideration.
Spc. Chase Troupe, 957th Engineer Company, uses a Bobcat to organize debris from a demolished house at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., June 17, 2022.
The N.D. National Guard's Directorate of Engineering and Facilities worked with the city of Bismarck to receive authorization to demolish the structure. The area will be planted with grass after the debris is removed.
Guard Supports Grand Forks Air Force Base Airshow
The N.D. National Guard supported the Grand Forks Airforce Base Northern Thunder Air & Space Expo, Grand Forks, N.D., June 18, 2022.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the main attraction, could not perform due to extremely high winds in the area.
The N.D. Army National Guard displayed two helicopters and an air defense system for airshow visitors to enjoy. The N.D. Air National Guard provided base response support and cooler evaporators to help combat the 100 degree weather that day.
In support of the airshow, the Happy Hooligans of the 119th Wing augmented the Grand Forks Air Force Base emergency response capabilities. The Hooligans provided a T1500 Fire/Crash truck and three Airmen from the 119th Explosive Ordnance Disposal with their Base Support Emergency Response Vehicle (BSERV). During the delayed time before the airshow flying performance was officially canceled due to high winds, the EOD Airmen assisted the N.D. Air National Guard recruiters with their remote-controlled robot. The robot's capabilities were demonstrated which attracted attention from potential recruiting candidates.
Additional, the Hooligans accepted a new Airmen when Capt. Katherine Moorkamp, Thunderbird #10, administered the oath of enlistment to Airman Soren Hoesktra.
Williston - Future Air Defense Country
Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th ADA), will move from Bismarck to Williston within a year. In preparation for their arrival, the city of Williston, has provided space in its existing public works building for the air defenders. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
Col. Russell Wolf, N.D. Army National Guard Construction and Facilities Management Officer, Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Sayler, command sergeant major for the N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, along with other staff members, traveled to Williston to meet with city officials and contractors remodeling the facility to be occupied by the air defenders.
Col. Russell Wolf, N.D. Army National Guard Construction and Facility Management Officer (CFMO), and Capt. Conrad Roberts, deputy CFMO, inspect the future maintenance bay, Williston, June 23, 2022.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Sayler, command sergeant major for the N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, left, discusses proposed office arrangements for the recruiting office with Capt. Conrad Roberts, N.D. Army National Guard Deputy Construction and Facility Management Officer, Williston, June 23, 2022.
The goal is have the facility ready by October 2022.
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