The flags on the Liberty Memorial Bridge spanning the Missouri River between Bismarck and Mandan are ready to celebrate the July 4th Independence Day holiday, July 1, 2021. The flags are placed on the bridge for patriotic holidays by the American Veterans (AMVETs) Community Honor Guard. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
July 4th Greetings from the Adjutant General
To the Soldiers, Airmen, Civilian Employees, Retirees, and Families of the North Dakota National Guard.
Almost 244 years ago, John Adams penned a letter to his wife that contained these words, "I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration of Independence, and to support and defend these States." This was written one day after the Second Continental Congress formally made its decree for freedom.
Now, two and a half centuries later, men and women of the National Guard are continually on duty overseas and at home in an unceasing effort to defend our hard-earned freedoms. North Dakota National Guard Airmen and Soldiers are supported by their Families, employers, and communities as they do the work necessary to preserve our way of life. Freedom to worship, serve, learn and speak.
On this independence holiday weekend, I ask you to reflect on the continuous efforts invested in ensuring our freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Thank you for what you do for the state, Nation, and North Dakota National Guard. I hope you and your family have an outstanding and safe Independence Day! It is a privilege to serve alongside you.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. Adjutant General
Engineers Improve Camp Grafton
The 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment exercised their Soldier skills while improving facilities during their annual training (AT) at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, June 5 to 26, 2021. (National Guard story, video and photos by National Guard Sgt. 1st Charles Highland, N.D. Public Affairs Office)
The unit used this year's annual training to qualify for their upcoming deployment later this summer while simultaneously improving facilities at camp. Soldiers worked on improving the training capacity at the Richie Bridge Training Area.
Another part of the unit exercised their electrical, plumbing, drywall and siding installation skills by building 8-plex housing units on Camp Grafton Training Center.
Hooligan Security Forces Provides Training Opportunities
The Minot Air Force-based 219th Security Forces Squadron (219th SFS) completed a week of annual training activities June 24 to July 1, in multiple locations across North Dakota and Minnesota. (National Guard story by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Traditionally, the 219th SFS conducts all its training in one location, such as Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC), near Devils Lake, N.D. However, this year, supplemental training was held at the Minot Air Force Base and Camp Ripley, near Little Falls, Minnesota, which collectively facilitated the accomplishment of specific training requirements unique to the mission of nuclear missile field security.
The split-location training afforded these Hooligans the opportunity to fire the M2 .50 caliber machine gun, the M249 light machine gun, the M240 machine gun, and the Mk 19 grenade launcher at Camp Ripley, as well as the M4 Carbine and M9 pistol at CGTC's ranges. It also enabled Airmen and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) to further their leadership development by providing more opportunities to lead across multiple locations.
Airman First Class Elise Grubb, left, and Airman 1st Class DezJuan Woodson, both of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, North Dakota Air National Guard, crouch into position during a force on force annual training exercise scenario at the Minot Air Force Base, N.D., June 24, 2021. The annual training scenario is being done to maintain currency for their career field. (National Guard photo by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Airman First Class Keegan Link points as Airman 1st Class Luke Tweeton, both of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, move into position during a force on force annual training exercise scenario at the Minot Air Force Base, N.D., June 24, 2021. (National Guard photo by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Airmen of the 219th Security Forces Squadron move through a field after exiting UH-1N-Huey helicopter during force on force training at the Minot Air Force base on June 24, 2021. From left to right, Airmen 1st Class Elise Grubb, DezJuan Woodson and Nicholas Sundby. (National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
“One of our big pushes is non-commissioned officer development,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jamie Frankl, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron. “This type of training provides our new Airmen and NCOs the opportunity to implement leadership skills and develop them a little more by separating them.”
Defenders from the 219th SFS also participated in force-on-force training at Minot AFB, incorporating UH-1N Huey helicopters and BearCat armored personnel vehicles.
Airman First Class Calvin Sprung, left, and Tech. Sgt. Jessica Harper of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, North Dakota Air National Guard, prepare for a UH-1N-Huey helicopter landing during Force on Force training exercises at the Minot Air Force Base, N.D., June 24, 2021. The Airmen were conducting force on force scenarios to meet security forces annual training requirements. (National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
“We integrated with BearCats, the 54th Helicopter Squadron, and Humvees, which made this our biggest force-on-force annual training we’ve had to date,” said Frankl. “The integration with the helicopter allows us to learn their language and communicate with them a little better. It gave us the chance to properly set up a landing zone, properly call in what we need for weapons fire, and really hone in on the communication skills.”
Technical Sergeant Nicholas Van Pelt, 219th Security Forces Squadron, North Dakota Air National Guard, talks on a radio during a force on force annual training exercise scenario at the Minot Air Force Base, N.D., June 24, 2021. (National Guard photo by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Furthermore, the 219th SFS commander’s support staff built a structured training plan for the upper-level NCOs to accomplish force development. The plans aided the NCOs with the day-to-day tasks of assisting new Airmen. Tasks such as placing them on orders, ensuring appropriate temporary duty travel status, and providing better operational familiarity to make their job easier.
“I think this year's annual training was a huge success,” said Frankl. “From a training aspect, this is one of the top years, if not the top with a lot of moving parts, coming together seamlessly. During force-on-force, the team got to do things they’d never done before. It’s not about the ‘I’, it’s about the team.”
Airman First Class Keegan Link, moves into position with fellow Airmen of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, North Dakota Air National Guard, during a force on force annual training exercise scenario at the Minot Air Force Base, N.D., June 24, 2021. (National Guard photo by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Fallen Guardsman, Police Officer Honored
Fallen Grand Forks police officer Cody Holte was posthumously honored as the 2020 N.D. American Legion Ray Atol Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in a ceremony held at Veterans Memorial Park, Grand Forks, June 19, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Capt. Jeremiah R. Colbert, 119th Wing)
N.D. American Legion Commander Kenny Wiederholt presented the award to Holte’s widow, Amanda, brother, Brady, and sister, Alexis, who accepted on his behalf.
Holte was recognized for demonstrating personal courage, fortitude and determination in the line of duty. The N.D. American Legion included Holte’s Woodrow W. Keeble Award citation in its nomination, which reads, in part, “...on May 27, 2020, he and his partner responded to a call for assistance from Grand Forks County sheriff deputies who were already under heavy gunfire. He courageously entered a hostile situation where others had already been injured, putting himself directly in harm’s way. His actions directly saved lives at the scene and secured a safe environment for community members, fellow law enforcement and emergency responders. He gave his life protecting those he swore to serve and defend.”
Michael Brown, American Legion Post 6 commander, provides opening remarks at the ceremony in which Officer Cody Holte was posthumously honored as the 2020 N.D. American Legion Ray Atol Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Veterans Memorial Park, Grand Forks, N.D., June 19, 2021.
Kenny Wiederholt, N.D. American Legion commander, left, holds the 2020 N.D. American Legion Ray Atol Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award as Michael Brown, American Legion Post 6 commander, reads the citation for the award during the ceremony in which Officer Cody Holte was posthumously honored as the recipient of the award, Grand Forks, N.D., June 19, 2021.
As a Grand Forks Police Department officer, Holte served just over three years and was well-respected among his law enforcement colleagues. Grand Forks Police Chief Mark Nelson remembers Holte as a cop’s cop, whose heart was bigger than his courage, and who had a passion and an unwavering dedication for protecting and serving his community. In addition to his service as a law enforcement officer, Holte was a first lieutenant in the North Dakota Army National Guard's Lisbon, N.D.-based 815th Engineer Company at the time of his death.
Representatives from North Dakota’s congressional delegation, other local and regional civic officials, including Grand Forks Mayor Brian Bochenski and leaders from the N.D. National Guard, were in attendance.
Maj. Mandy Iverson, N.D. National Guard casualty assistance officer, renders a salute at the site of Cody Holte’s Memorial marker during the ceremony honoring Holte posthumously as the 2020 N.D. American Legion Ray Atol Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Veterans Memorial Park, Grand Forks, N.D., June 19, 2021.
The Ray Atol Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award is presented annually by the N.D. American Legion, and is named in honor of the late, long-serving Williston police chief. Notably, Atol was also a member of the N.D. National Guard's 164 Infantry Regiment, and served in the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry Division during the Korean War.
Camp's New RV Park
The Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) RV Park recently opened and accepted their first reservation June 25, 2021. The RV Park consists of seven modern campsites with electricity, water, and picnic tables. (National Guard story by Maj. Luke D. Malheim, CGTC)
The completion of the park was a joint effort of CGTC's state employees and troop labor from the Training Center, 188th Engineer Company, 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment, and 164th Regional Training Institute. The work included tree removal and laying gravel for roadways and camper pads. Campers will have full access to the amenities of CGTC such as the Military Service Club, laundromat, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation equipment. This investment in our facilities provides an affordable outlet for military members and their families to take advantage of the Devils Lake region’s rich fishing and hunting opportunities.
The Camp Grafton Training Center RV Park is open to all military ID card holders and Office of the Adjutant General employees. The park is open May through September dependent on weather. The cost per site is $15 per day and can be reserved for up to 7 days. Reservations can be made by calling the Lodging Office at 701-665-7650. All reservations are unofficial and are accepted on a first come first serve basis.
Adjutant General Visits Wishek Fair Grounds Project
When Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, visited 815th Engineer Company Soldiers who were working on a community project at the Tri County Fairgrounds and Speedway, Wishek, N.D., June 15, 2021, several community members were present at the worksite demonstrating support for the National Guard. (National Guard photos and story by Sgt. 1st Class Matt Hebl, 815th Engineer Company)
The project is scheduled to be completed July 2, 2021.
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