Mark Wright prepares the surface of the display UH-1H Huey helicopter for painting by washing it with pressurized water, Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 5, 2022. The helicopter marks the entrance to the N.D. National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility, south of the Bismarck Airport.
Remembering the 9-11 Hooligan Scramble
Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, is the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, New York City, and the Pentagon; the Happy Hooligans played a prominent role on that dark day in American history. (National Guard story by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
The N.D. Air National Guard was on 24-hour air defense alert status with the 119th Alert Detachment 1 (Det 1), Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, on Sept. 11, 2001, when two commercial airliners struck the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Hooligan pilots Maj. Dean Eckman, Maj. Brad Derrig, and Capt. Craig Borgstrom were scrambled in three F-16 Fighting Falcons aircraft by the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) to defend New York City, but were diverted to defend the U.S. Capitol shortly after take-off. Sadly, they were too late to prevent American Airlines Flight 111 from striking the Pentagon. The 178th Fighter Squadron was the first unit to fly top cover over Washington D.C., and continued in that role until April 2002.
Current Happy Hooligan Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Lawrence, 119th Operations Group, was the crew chief that launched Derrig in F-16A #82-0929. He is the last remaining unit member that was assigned to Det 1 on 9-11.
Maj. Brad Derrig flies F-16A aircraft #82-1006 and Maj. Dave Hill flies F-16A aircraft #82-0929 during an early morning Combat Air Patrol mission over the Pentagon, Washington D.C., Nov. 11, 2001. A gap in the Pentagon where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed, can be seen in the background.
“At the time, we didn’t know if it was a NEADS exercise scramble or an intercept of a foreign aggressor or something else, but we never expected it to be an intercept of a commercial airliner from within our borders in the process of a terrorist attack. It was an event that affected change in our military that continues to this day,” said Lawrence.
Lawrence was serving in the U.S. Air Force at King Abdulaziz Air Base, Saudi Arabia, when he was blown out of his bed by the terrorist truck-bombing of the Khobar Towers military housing complex in Dhahran, June 25, 1996. The blast occurred only 300 feet from where he was laying in his bed. Nineteen U.S. Air Force personnel died in the Khobar Towers terrorist attack.
Lawrence reflected, “I can only credit divine intervention for my survival that day…normally I would have been standing in front of a window shaving at that time of day, but for whatever reason, I decided to stay in bed just a bit longer and it saved my life.”
The 9-11 attacks killed about 3,000 people, injured over 6,000 others, and caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage. Happy Hooligans in Fargo and Det 1 continued to provide personnel and aircraft for the nation’s defense by flying 24/7 combat air patrol (CAP) mission flights from Langley AFB until the spring of 2002.
“When I found out that we scrambled in response to a terrorist attack on 9-11, I thought – finally, I am doing something to fight back,” Lawrence added.
The fighter mission for Det 1 ended in October 2006, when it was turned over to the 134th Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard. The N.D. National Guard has continued to mobilize Soldiers and Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) ever since Sept. 11, 2001.
Task fOrce MIND
The Task Force for Military Issues in North Dakota (TF MIND) summit was held at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, ND, Sept. 8, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Maj. Jay Sheldon, N.D. National Guard Strategy and Policy Officer)
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, renders remarks at the Task Force for Military Issues in North Dakota (TF MIND) summit at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, ND, Sept. 8, 2022.
This was the 5th summit since 2018. The summit brings together military leaders from across North Dakota, government agencies, and civilian supporters of the military. Participants are informed on topics impacting military members, their families, and Veterans in North Dakota and provides opportunities to identify and discuss solutions to issues and concerns to military members. This year’s summit saw 40 in-person and virtual participants which included senior leaders of the N.D. Army and Air National Guard, commanders and command chiefs representing the Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Bases, various state agency representatives, and numerous civilian supporters of the military from across the state.
During the summit participants received presentations from staff of Sanford Military and Veteran Affairs, U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center-Ground Based Strategic Deterrence, N.D. Department of Commerce – Workforce Development Council, N.D. Department of Veterans Affairs, N.D. National Guard Strategy and Policy-Legislative Initiatives, N.D. CARES, and the N.D. National Guard human relations counselor. A major focus during the summit was the lack of available mental and behavioral health care providers in North Dakota that are eligible to provide care to military members, retirees, Veterans, or their families. Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann directed a team, representing the groups diversity, be established to develop recommendations that can help increase eligible providers.
EngiNeer Instructor Certification
Staff Sgt. Mitchell Almen was the first 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute (164th RTI) instructor to undergo the updated Instructor Certification Process at Camp Grafton Training Center, Sept. 8, 2022. (National Guard photos and story by Maj. Brett J. Nelson, N.D. National Guard 164th RTI)
Staff Sgt. Mitchell Almen, 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute, answers questions from Spc. Andraia Schwan, 945th Engineer Detachment, U.S. Army Reserve, during a 12R10 electrician reclassification course.
This was also his first instructor certification board after being selected for promotion as a vertical (carpentry, mason, plumber, and electrician) engineer instructor. He previously worked as a supply sergeant at the RTI. His exceptionally high score of 95.5% was commended by Lt. Col. Dan "Murph" Murphy, commander of the 1st Training Battalion..
repainting the HUEY on a stick
The UH-1H Iroquois helicopter, nicknamed "Huey", which marks the entrance to the Army Aviation Support Facility south of Bismarck received a fresh new look this week when contractors from Missouri began the detailed work of repainting the aircraft, Sept. 2 to 9, 2022. (National Guard photos and story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Mark Wright washes the UH-1H Iroquois helicopter at the Army Air Support Facility with pressurized water in preparation for painting, Bismarck, Sept. 5, 2022. Sgt. Wright, a traditional Soldier assigned to the 815th Engineer Company (VERTICAL) in Wishek, N.D., works for a sub-contractor hired to wash the helicopter after it was sanded.
Mike Wortham applies masking tape in preparation for painting the UH-1 Iroquois helicopter at the entrance of the Army Aviation Support Facility, Sept. 5, 2022.
The 1H-1 Iroquois was operated by N.D. Army National Guard aviators from the early 1970s before being replaced in 2008 to 2009 timeframe. This aircraft was extensively used during the Vietnam war.
This display helicopter, affectionately known the 'helicopter on a stick' was flown by the N.D. Army National Guard before it was retired in the early 2000s.
Amber Wortham completes the markings on the display 1H-1 Iroquois helicopter at the entrance of the Army Aviation Support Facility, Sept. 9, 2022.
North Dakota Army Guard Huey Helicopters
Helicopter on a Stick Placement
On May 25, 2006, a 1H-1 Iroquois was mounted at the entrance of the N.D. National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard photos by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel Skager, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
This display helicopter, known locally as 'helicopter on a stick', was operated by the N.D. Army National Guard before it was retired in the early 2000s.
Col. Gerry Heinle, State Army Aviation Officer, right, supervises a crew from the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment as they prepare a 1H-1 Iroquois helicopter to be lifted onto the display bars at the entrance of the N.D. National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, May 25, 2006.
Last North Dakota Huey Flights
On Oct. 8, 2008, the last two remaining Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters took off for the last time from the N.D. National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story by Command Sgt. Maj. John Zacher, Joint Force Headquarters, N.D. National Guard)
The UH-1 helicopter played an important part in N.D. Army National Guard (NDARNG) aviation history. Manufactured by Bell Helicopter, the UH-1 nicknamed the “Huey”, was initially procured by the U.S. Army in 1959 and saw extensive service during the Vietnam War since the early 1960s. They carried troops and light cargo and were used for aeromedical evacuation. Its versatility was well known as it also supported combat operations armed with M-60 machine guns and inserted and extracted troops during airmobile missions.
Crew chief Staff Sgt. Aaron Reich, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, conducts pre-flight checks for the last flight of one of the last two remaining UH-1 helicopters, Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, Oct. 8, 2008. (National Guard photos by Sgt. Brett Miller, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
N.D. display Helicopter listed on national "Tour Of Honor"
Tour of Honor encourages Veterans and patriots to hit the open road, honor our nation's heroes, and contribute to a few good charities. In 2022, this national program suggested visiting the display UH-1H Iroquois helicopter at the entrance of the Army Aviation Support Facility, south of the Bismarck Airport. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Former U.S. Army Spc. Mattew Kimes from Belding, Michigan visits the "Helicopter on a stick" at the N.D. National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility, Sept. 8, 2022.
The Tour of Honor is a season-long, self-directed ride to memorials and monuments around the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Beginning April 1, participants are encouraged to visit as many sites as they want, using any route. Money raised by the event goes to military and first responder charities.
EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE EXERCISE IN GHANA
The N.D. National Guard's (NDNG) State Partnership Program (SPP) collaborated with the Ghana National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to conduct Lignite Coast 2022 Preparedness Exercise "Shikpon Wosomo", an interagency earthquake response exercise. Scheduled from June 21 to 23, 2022, this was the largest bilateral exercise conducted through the NDNG SPP. (Video courtesy of Ghana National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO))
Leading the Saints
St. Mary's Central High School Saints requested a National Guardsman lead the team onto the field for the school's first home game of the season, Sept. 2, 2022, Bismarck, N.D. The Saints renewed their rivalry with the Bismarck Demons after a decade and a half absence. (National Guard photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Brats with the Brave
The Military Affairs Committee of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC hosted their annual "Brats with the Brave" at the Kirkwood Mall, Bismarck, Sept. 7, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Col. Brian Keller, N.D. Guard deputy state surgeon, speaks with Dr. Kirby Schmidtgall, Vet Center, during Brats with the Brave event, Bismarck, Sept. 7, 2022.
This event, sponsored by local businesses, salutes the service and sacrifice of military members and first responders.
Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, right, commander, Land Component Command, stops to talk to N.D. Air and Army National Guard recruiters during Brats with the Brave in Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 7, 2022.
Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, commander, Land Component Command, (right) and Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, N.D. National Guard state command sergeant major, speak with Veterans during Brats with the Brave in Bismarck, Sept. 7, 2022.
veterans Stand Down
The Central North Dakota Stand Down was held in Bismarck, Aug. 25, 2022. (National Guard story by Michelle Gauvin Panos, director, North Dakota Cares)
Military Outreach specialist Nikki Frohlich led the effort to bring 46 vendors and services to the Bismarck AMVET Post #9. A Veterans Stand Down is a one or two-day event designed to bring Veterans and the services and resource information they need into one place. Some of the services at this stand down included the VA Community Based Outreach Clinic; Burleigh and Morton County Veteran Service Officers; Fargo VA Medical Center; Vets Center mobile unit; N.D. Brain injury network; N.D. Veterans Home; U.S. Department of Labor; N.D. Assistive Technology; and the Native American Development Center. Lunch was served by the AMVET Post #9 Ladies Auxiliary. The last stand down in Bismarck was conducted in 2018.
Military Outreach Specialist Nikki Frohlich talks to a Veteran about available services at the Bismarck Veterans Stand Down, Aug. 25, 2022.
Of the 153 (131 males and 22 females) Veterans who participated, 46% had a service-connected disability. AMVET Post #9 past and current commanders, Scott Langemo and N.D. Senator Dick Devers, respectfully, allowed the event to be held in their facility. A great venue helped make this stand down a success. The next Veterans Stand Down is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2022, at the Minot Armed Forces Reserve Center.
The original Stand Down was modeled after a concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe place for returning combat units to recover from the battlefield. At secure base camp areas, troops were able to take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends.
Please include contact information if a response is requested.
Click to receive an email whenever a new TAG Line is published.