It's officially the holiday season at the state capitol where the Christmas lights were seen in Bismarck, Dec. 5, 2023. (National Guard photo by Shirley Olgeirson, N.D. Guard Historian)
Contents
- 119th Wing's Pacific Allies
- National Guard Families Visit White House
- 119th Wing Top Grad
- Air Guard Recruiting Visit
- Guard Members & Retirees - Help Fill Our Ranks & Earn $1000
- Camp Grafton Giving Tree
- From the Field - 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
- From the Field Campaign
- Holiday Family Fun
119th Wing's Pacific Allies
Members of the 119th Wing and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) gathered with the Philippine Air Force for a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Exchange at Villamor Air Base, Philippines, from Nov. 6 to Nov. 15, 2023. (U.S. Air Force story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Eric Summers Jr., Pacific Air Forces)
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance SMEs from both nations met for the first time. They exchanged best practices and policies to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Philippine defense forces.
“Enhancing interoperability between the U.S. and Philippine defense forces contributes to the long-term advancement of our nations’ shared interests,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Brett Nelson, 119th Wing, N.D. Air National Guard, and USAF Villamor team lead. “During the (exchange), USAF and PAF (Philippine Air Force) service members worked together and applied lessons learned from previous operations. These operations are critical for strengthening trust between like-minded nations to ensure the air, maritime, cyber, and space domains remain open to all nations.”
U.S. Air Force Maj. Brett Nelson, 119th Wing, N.D. Air National Guard, and Philippine Air Force Col. Irvin Tanap, 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing deputy commander, review unmanned aerial vehicle footage during an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Subject Matter Expert Exchange at Villamor Air Base, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2023.
The first two days of the exchange began with experts from the intelligence and remotely piloted aircraft communities explaining each nations’ intelligence gathering and analyst capabilities.
“This marked the first exchange that united all players in the remotely piloted aircraft architecture,” said Nelson. “By bringing in multiple intelligence personnel from different specialties, the USAF and PAF analysts were able to discuss valuable best practices in an environment suited for collective learning.”
The exchange created a networked security architecture capable of deterring aggression, maintaining stability, and ensuring free access to common domains in accordance with international law.
National Guard Families Visit White House
First Lady Jill Biden welcomed National Guardsmen, spouses, and children to the White House to discuss their challenges and how best to support them.
U.S. Army Sgt. Ryan Mahoney, 957th Engineer Company, Bridge, represented North Dakota alongside Guardsmen from the 36 states who participated in a 'Joining Event' hosted by the first lady. He was selected because his family was named the N.D. Army National Guard Family of the Year.
119th Wing Top Grad
U.S. Air Force Airmen Amaya Lecleir, 119th Wing, N.D. Air National Guard, was chosen as the top graduate for her basic military training class at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 4, 2023. (U.S. Air Force story and photos by Lackland Air Force Public Affairs Office)
Air Guard Recruiting Visit
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Bradly Berthold, N.D. Air National Guard recruiter, visited Mandan High School students, Mandan, N.D. Nov. 30, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Berthold highlighted the benefits and opportunities provided by membership in the N.D. Air National Guard, especially for those preparing for college. He discussed the many career fields Airmen can choose.
For more information on the N.D. Air Guard, contact Tech Sgt. Bradly Berthold at 701-500-5401 or visit the 119th Wing Recruiting Website.
Guard Members & Retirees - Help Fill Our Ranks & Earn $1000
The N.D. National Guard's (NDNG) "ND1000" incentive program pays NDNG members and retirees. The payout is $1000 per qualifying lead, for new or prior service enlistments into the NDNG as a result of the referring member’s effort, mentorship, and assistance. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
This state-sponsored incentive program is for N.D. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.
For information on the N.D. Army National Guard enlistment click the NDARNG ND1000 program or download the app needed to submit an NDARNG lead.
Camp Grafton Giving Tree
Looking for a way to give back this holiday season, the 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute (RTI) set up a giving tree in the front foyer of the school building at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, N.D. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Zyskowski, 164th RTI)
A non-profit donated 30 "ornaments”. These "ornaments" were gifts with various items to help children and their families in the community for Christmas. Also, staff, instructors, and students from the Non-Commission Officer Professional Development School (NCOPDS) classes "responded overwhelmingly" and donated over $3,000 worth of gifts and needed items.
From the Field - 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
Headquarters Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, welcomed new Soldiers to the unit by holding a patching ceremony at the Fargo Readiness Center, Dec. 2, 2023. (National Guard story and photo by Lt. Col. Nathan Dicks, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
U.S. Army Capt. Travis White, Headquarters Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander, places the unit to the arm of a Soldier during a patching ceremony at the Fargo Readiness Center, Dec. 2, 2023.
The unit patching ceremony is done to create a connection to brigade history and to instill a sense of pride and purpose in Soldiers.
Promotion
U.S. Army Capt. John Mazur, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, is promoted to the rank of major during a ceremony at the Fargo Readiness Center, Dec. 2, 2023. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. Kayla Johnson, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Retirement
U.S. Army Capt. Travis White, Headquarters Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander, presided over a retirement ceremony for Staff Sgt. Phillip Geiger at the Fargo Readiness Center, Dec. 2, 2023. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. Kayla Johnson, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
U.S. Army Capt. Travis White, Headquarters Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander, left, presented a retirement certificate to Staff Sgt. Phillip Geiger at the Fargo Readiness Center, Dec. 2, 2023.
White retires after faithfully serving his country and the National Guard for over 20 years.
From the Field Campaign
This campaign encourages Soldiers and Airmen to submit photos, both past and present, including videos of their National Guard experience. Use the QR code below or click on bit.ly/NDNG-FTF and follow the simple instructions to submit training, battle selfies, awards, and great scenery. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Holiday Family Fun
The N.D. National Guard Service Member & Family Support hosted a Military Family Christmas event at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Nov. 28, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Children and families also enjoyed indoor snowball fights, ornament making, cookie decorating, winter carnival games and prizes, indoor sledding, and more.
Families enjoyed snowball fights with the Grinch during a Military Christmas event at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Nov. 28, 2023.
There were over 250 people in attendance at this years event.
Kelsey Deckert, Agriculture and Natural Resources for NDSU, gave a class on growing succulent plants during a Military Family Christmas event at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Nov. 28, 2023.