Top photo: Connie Sprynczynatyk renders remarks as the emcee of a ceremony observing the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the nation. The ceremony was hosted by the N.D. National Guard and was held at the Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism, near the Fraine Barracks entrance, Bismarck, September 11, 2021. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
We Remember
Over 200 people attended the ceremony observing the 20th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the nation. (National Guard story and photos by Spc. Thea Jorgensen, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
The event was held at the Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism outside of Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, N.D., on September 11, 2021. The memorial honors the names of 29 North Dakotans (14 are N.D. Guard Soldiers) who were lost in the Global War on Terrorism.
Rendering remarks were Gov. Doug Burgum, commander-in-chief of the N.D. National Guard; Sen. John Hoeven; Sen. Kevin Cramer; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general; and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, senior enlisted leader for the N.D. National Guard, Also participating were Master Sgt. (Retired) Holly Wadeson, who served during 9/11; Maj. Matt Voeller, who joined because of 9/11; Pvt. Casin Buckmeier, who was born after 9/11; Mr. Jesse Orgaard, who represented the Gold Star Families, and several local Veteran service organizations. Connie Sprynczynatyk served as the emcee for this observance as well as the memorial's dedication on September 11, 2009.
Two thousand nine hundred and seventy-seven people were killed in the attacks on September 11, 2001. The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) was declared the next day, and over 3.7 million Americans have served during the GWOT.
Arlen Halverson, North Dakota Patriot Guard, holds a U.S. flag at the ceremony observing the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. The ceremony was held at the Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., September 11, 2021.
Members of Sgt. Travis Van Zoest’s family attend the ceremony observing the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. The ceremony was held at the Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., September 11, 2021.
This year, members of the 188th Army Band Full Battle Rattle Brass Quintet played throughout the ceremony, Military Funeral Honors rendered a rifle volley salute, and speakers shared their memories of the events that took place on September 11, 2001. One of those speakers was Pvt. Casin Buckmeier, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, who was born 50 days after the attacks. Buckmeier learned about the 9-11 events from documentaries, school, and his Family.
“It is the duty of my brothers and sisters in uniform, including myself to prevent another tragedy like this from ever happening again,” said Buckmeier. “And the fact that we are all here right now is proof that every day we remember all the people who lost their lives on and since the attacks on September 11, 2001."
“Once I graduated high school in 2020, during a worldwide pandemic, I knew I was needed. I felt I was ready to step up and discover my potential and be a part of something bigger than myself. Through my service, I remember how far I have come and I am continuously reminded how far we’ve come as a nation,” said Buckmeier.
Private Casin Buckmeier, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, provides his perspective on the 9/11 attacks during the 20th anniversary observance, Bismarck, N.D., September 11, 2021.
Sergeant Tyler J. Weichel, N.D. National Guard Military Funeral Honors, renders a salute during the ceremony observing the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. The ceremony was held at the Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., September 11, 2021.
N.D. Guardsmen Assist with Wildland Fire
On September 8, 2021, four N.D. National Guard Guardsmen assisted firefighters in battling a large grass fire that started the day prior in an area northwest of Grassy Butte, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The fire burned approximately 280 acres of land. Spc. Jacob Stoskopf, Spc. John Coombs, Pfc. Chany Chany, 188th Engineer Company, and Spc. Matthew Duku, 142nd Engineer Battalion, were placed on State Active Duty orders in support of the N.D. Forestry Service. They worked late into the night alongside several fire departments, as well as state and federal forest service officials, to control the fire.
On September 9, the Soldiers continued to help by working with the N.D. Forest Service to locate and extinguish any smoldering embers. After a long day of sifting through ashes, their mission was complete.
Specialist John Coombs, 188th Engineer Company, searches through the ashes for signs of fire as Katie Olge, North Dakota Forest Service, extinguishes a smoldering log in the remains of the wildfire northwest of Grassy Butte, N.D., September 9, 2021.
Aaron Bucholz, North Dakota Forest Service, communicates with his team about the location of smoldering embers in the remains of the wildland fire northwest of Grassy Butte, N.D., September 9, 2021.
Specialist Matthew Duku, 142nd Engineer Battalion, watches as smoke rises from a smoldering log extinguished by Pfc. Chany Chany, 188th Engineer Company.
68th Troop Command Welcomes New Leader
Soldiers of the N.D. Army National Guard's 68th Troop Command welcomed a new commander at the Army Aviation Support Facility, September 12, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Tyler Wall, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
The change of command ceremony was hosted by Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, commander of the N.D. Army National Guard where Col. Brock Larson relinquished command to Col. Paul Helten. In their full-time capacities, Larson serves as the director of the N.D. National Guard's J5-9 while Helten is the State Army Aviation Officer. Each of the 68th Troop Command's battalions, companies, and detachments were represented at the ceremony.
Command Sergeant Major John Zacher, 68th Troop Command's command sergeant major, passes the unit's colors to the outgoing commander Col. Brock Larson during the unit's change of command ceremony, Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, September 12, 2021.
Brigadier General Leo Ryan, commander of the N.D. Army National Guard, left, passes the 68th Troop Command's unit colors to the incoming commander, Colonel Paul Helten, during the unit's change of command ceremony, Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, N.D., September 12, 2021.
Larson is a native of Leeds, N.D. and holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science degree in 1995 from the University of North Dakota (UND). His military service began with the U.S. Army in 1995 after he was commissioned as an Ordnance Corps officer through the UND ROTC program. After leaving active duty he joined the N.D. Army National Guard in 2009 and has since commanded three battalions.
Helten is a native of Bismarck, N.D. and holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelors of Business Administration from UND. He began his military career in April 1993 by enlisting in the N.D. Army National Guard a UH-1 helicopter repairman. Helten earned his commission in 1998 through the N.D. National Guard's Officer Candidate School and is a Master Army Aviator with over 4,500 accident-free flight hours.
U.S. Air Force's Birthday
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) celebrates its 74th birthday on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (National Guard story by Chief Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing)
The birth of the N.D. Air National Guard (NDANG) actually precedes the birth of the USAF. The U.S. Army Air Forces became an autonomous U.S. Army Command in 1942 and operated that way for the remainder of World War II. President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 on July 26, of that year, and the first Secretary of the Air Force was sworn in on Sept. 18, marking the formal beginning of the USAF. By then the NDANG was already 9 months old.
Lt. Col. Richard Neece and Master Sgt. Howard Haasis were active-duty military personnel assigned to the Fargo, N.D. area as U.S. Army Air Forces recruiters in 1946. When Neece was notified that an Air Guard squadron was to be organized, he asked for permission to organize the 178th Fighter Squadron, 178th Weather Station (Type A) and Detachment B, 233rd Air Service group on Oct. 30, 1946. The NDANG was born on January 16, 1947, when the official charter was signed. It was organized as the 178th Fighter Squadron and served as the headquarters for the new unit set up at the National Guard armory in downtown Fargo. Haasis was a charter member of the unit and the first NDANG recruiter.
The initial recruiting campaign produced 23 officers and 44 enlisted Airmen. That same year, an agreement was signed with the city of Fargo to secure space for an installation, which consisted of a leased bare-bones hangar, a city-operated fire hall, and several prefabricated buildings that housed basic unit functions.
At the time of its activation, one North American Aviation T-6 Texan training aircraft was the lone occupant of the 35,000 square foot hangar leased from the city of Fargo. In order to maintain this airplane, Neece had to fly to an Air Force Base to borrow tool kits.
For the next several months, headquarters remained in the basement of the Fargo Armory, while the buildings that were leased were made usable for NDANG personnel. The 178th Squadron was a part of the 133rd Fighter Wing along with the 109th Fighter Squadron in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the 175th Fighter Squadron in Sioux Falls, S.D. These three units were later joined by the 179th Fighter Squadron in Duluth, Minnesota. The 133rd Wing was co-located at the 109th Fighter Squadron's home base, Holman Field, St. Paul, Minnesota.
The first NDANG P-51 Mustang arrived in Fargo on Feb. 21, 1947. It was operated by U.S. Army Air Force Maj. W.J. Stangel, formerly of Moorhead, Minnesota.
The Mustangs were called P-51s in the U.S. Army Air Corps, but later redesignated as F-51s in 1948. The ‘P’ in P-51 stands for pursuit while the ‘F’ stands for fighter.
Within three months, the squadron aircraft strength stood at 20 F-51 Mustangs, five Martin B-26 Marauders, two Douglas C-47 Skytrains, and four North American Aviation T-6 Texan training aircraft. The NDANG has served as a reserve and operational component of the U.S. Air Force ever since. Happy birthday, Air Force!
Engineer School Courses
The students attending the last courses of the fiscal year 2021 have reported to the 164th Regional Training Institute - N.D. (RTI-ND), Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC). (National Guard story and photos by Maj. Brett Nelson, 164th Regional Training Institute)
This was the first 12C10 Army Bridge Crewmember course conducted at RTI-ND in over two years due to the COVIDE-19 pandemic and low enrollment numbers.
Staff Sergeant Jonathan Schmidt, 12C Bridge Crewmember instructor, demonstrates how to prime a block of TNT with a detonation cord, Camp Grafton Training Center, September 2, 2021. Instructors and students use inert training aids to safely practice proper techniques prior to live-fire training events.
Soldiers Assist Scouts
The North Dakota National Guard hosted 55 Scouts of America members and 18 adult Scout leaders at Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, N.D., September 10 to 12, 2021. (National Guard story by Paul Zent, N.D. National Guard)
The Scouts are members of troops from Bismarck, Grand Forks, Carrington, Valley City, Minot, Fargo, and West Fargo. Instructors from the 164th Regional Training Institute-N.D. (RTI) trained 19 of the Scouts on the skills required to earn the Plumbing and Home Repair merit badge, while the remainder earned their Orienteering merit badge. This was the 10th year of this partnership between the Scouts and the North Dakota National Guard.
On September 11, 2021, the Scouts joined the Officer Candidate School (OCS) Class #65 in an observance of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Officer Candidates Jordan Becker, Kellen Tibor, and Michael Becker briefed the group on the events of 9/11, the impact it had on our nation, and the stories that will never be forgotten. Retreat was conducted immediately following the remembrance.
Officer Candidate Jordan Becker, Officer Candidate School Class (OCS) #65, briefs on the events of 9/11, during the OCS Class #65's Inactive Duty Training and the Scouts' visit Camp Grafton Training Center, September 11, 2021. (National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. D.J. Rohrich, Officer Candidate School)
Engineer Engagement in Ghana
Two engineer instructors from the 164th Regional Training Institute - N.D., Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, recently traveled to Ghana to lead engineer equipment training, September 12 to 17, 2021. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director N.D. National Guard state partnership program)
Participating in the Department of Defense-sponsored State Partnership Program were Staff Sergeants Steven Trautman and Michael Sanders who led training on horizontal engineer equipment at the Ghana Armed Forces Engineer training school, Accra, Ghana. Horizontal construction tasks consist of earthwork using bulldozers, graders, scrapers, backhoes, and augers.
This engagement successfully supported the best practices that the N.D. Guard engineer subject matter experts were able to share with our Ghanaian partners.
Retirees Weekend
About 55 N.D. National Guard Retirees and their spouses attended the annual retiree weekend at Camp Grafton Training Center, September 10 to 12, 2021. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
This event, which brings retired Guard members together for camaraderie and information, was conducted virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each year the Retirees look forward to N.D. National Guard updates from senior leaders as well as learning about changes to benefits and programs that affect them. Other activities include sharing meals, receiving new Department of Defense ID cards, a memorial service for retirees that passed away during the year, and a tour of new construction activities at Camp Grafton Training Center.
This year, attendees watched a livestream of the 20th anniversary observance of the 9/11 attacks held in Bismarck on September 11, 2021.
Attending this year's reunion were Jim and Caroline Mikkelson, Rod and Judy Olin, Lynn and Ermalene Baltrusch, Vern and Margaret Fetch, Dale Townsend, Diane and Kim Martin, Dave Peterson, Ron Wasfaret and Yvonne Barsgard, Myron and Jan Tassass, Mel and Elaine Bennefeld, Don and Janice Olafson, Ron and Carol Thurn, Greg and Sharon Wilz, LaRaine Hopp, Bev Eng, Gerald Gerntholtz, Dale Lane, Russ and Sue Keller, Gary Herman, Janette Fetch, Shirley Olgeirson, Larry Anderson, Bob Kilber, Art and Dorothy Morris, Gilmore and Bonnie Braaten, Ron and Yvonne Wasfaret, Arlen and Nancy Selzler, Eldred Knutson, Dave Rickford, John Nygord, Myron Berg, Donald Thompson, Loye Ashton, Keith and Marian Bjerke, Tony Schwartz, Dale Hinkle, John Hocking, and Bryce Crosby.
The Retiree Advisory Board continually seeks ideas and opportunities for increasing attendance at this annual event. Please contact Shirley with your thoughts at 701-333-2016 or ndguardhistory@outlook.com.
Supporting N.D. Department of Health
The North Dakota National Guard recently placed about 65 Guard members on COVID-19 duty in support of the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH). (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
About 50 of these Guard members will support the NDDoH's COVID-19 contact information efforts while 15 others will support the state laboratory in Bismarck. The Guard members will be on state active duty with orders under the authority of FEMA (502f). These tours of duty are scheduled at least through December 31.
The N.D. National Guard began COVID-19 duty on March 16, 2020. Last November, the N.D. National Guard assessed 67,495 personnel-days, surpassing the record 67,264 personnel-days worked in response to 2011 state-wide flooding, making it the largest and longest state mobilization in history. Currently we are on the 552nd day of COVID-19 support duty with over 121,415 personnel-days expended on this mission.
Including operational and administrative support, about 80 N.D. Guard members are currently serving on state active duty for this mission.
Lieutenant Colonel Barb Lowe, N.D. National Guard COVID-19 operational planner, briefs Guard members serving on COVID-19 duty during their inprocessing for state active duty, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, September 14, 2021.
Grand Forks Veterans Park Dedication
The Grand Forks community dedicated the Veterans Memorial Park on September 11, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by retired Lt. Col. Shirley Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard Historian)
Al Palmer, a retired brigadier general who served with the N.D. Air National, is the chair of the board of directors for the project and was the master of ceremonies for the dedication.
Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, renders remarks at the Grand Forks Veterans Memorial Park, Grand Forks, September 11, 2021.
Because there was no ribbon, emcee retired Brig. Gen. Al Palmer reacted quickly by offering his red, white and blue tie. He handed it to 97-year old WWII Army Nurse, Anna Walker, who passed the other end to 88-year old Korean War Veteran Susanne Kime. As it became apparent there were no scissors either, Kime formed a scissors with her right hand and ceremonially snipped the tie to dedicate the park.
Relationship Stress
JFHQ Changes Hands
Joint Force Headquarters, North Dakota National Guard, welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony held at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, September 11, 2021. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Colonel Jon Erickson, chief of staff, N.D. National Guard, presided over the ceremony that saw Maj. Jeremy Malo, relinquish command to Maj. Michael Champagne. This military tradition represents a formal transfer of authority from one officer to another and is witnessed by members of the unit.
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