Bridge Engineers Annual Training
Soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company (Muti-role Bridge) assemble their Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) into a six-bay raft on the Missouri River south of Bismarck, N.D. on Aug 10, 2020. Top photo: Soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company evacuate a simulated casualty during medic training along the shore of the Missouri River during annual training on Aug. 10, 2020. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) prepare to launch their bridge erection boat on the Missouri River south of Bismarck on Aug. 10, 2020.
Soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) pull an Improved Ribbon Bridge bay section into place before latching to existing raft on the Missouri River south of Bismarck on Aug. 10, 2020.
Training Area Improvement
During their 2020 Annual Training, Soldiers from the Equipment Support Section of the 957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) repaired a damaged area at the N.D. National Guard’s Williston Local Training Area (LTA) approximately 15 miles southeast of Williston, N.D., from July 31 to Aug. 6, 2020. The LTA's training area has been limited for over seven years due to flooding by the Halfbreed Creek which washed out the existing culvert and created a 25 foot gap in the roadway. The Soldiers replaced the damaged culvert with two new culverts and repaired an approximately one-mile stretch of road. Their efforts ensured that most of the 75 acres of the LTA was available for training. By using troop labor to complete the culvert installation project, the bridge engineers saved the N.D. National Guard an estimated $60,000. (U.S. National Guard story and photos by Capt. Justin Johnson, 957th Engineer Company)
Soldiers of the 957th Engineer Company emplace two culverts to help control flooding at the Williston Local Training Area on Aug 3, 2020.
164th Regional Training Institute
Range Day with the 164th Engineers
Aviation Annual Training
Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Security & Support) and elements of Company C, 285th Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter) are conducting annual training (AT) from Aug. 1 to 15, 2020. (U.S. National Guard photos by members of the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment)
Training With Law Enforcement Partners
Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Security & Support) traveled north from Bismarck to hold a joint exercise with the McLean Sheriff's Office in McLean County, N.D. Aug. 10 to 12, 2020. Missions included aircraft surveillance and aerial MEDEVAC (medical evacuation). Two UH-72A Lakota helicopters participated in the MEDEVAC allowing two sets of flight medics to receive training in stabilizing and transporting a mannequin casualty assisted by deputy sheriffs who were present on the scene as part of the scenario. (U.S. National Guard story and photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Flight medic Sgt. Robert White, left, stabilizes a mannequin casualty in preparation of aerial MEDEVAC on Aug. 12, 2020, while Sgt. Sean Lennick, Lakota helicopter crew chief looks on. Both Soldiers are members of Company D, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment.
Flight medic Sgt. Autumn Wang, left, directs deputies of the McLean County Sheriff's department and others in transporting a mannequin casualty to the waiting UH-72A Lakota MEDEVAC helicopter in McLean County on Aug. 12.
Support to Law Enforcement
Besides aerial MEDEVAC training, Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Security & Support) supported the McLean Sheriff's Office with aerial surveillance on Aug 10 and 11. Conducting exercises with our law enforcement partners helps form a joint mission environment promoting mutual trust and coordination. (U.S. National Guard story and photos by 1st Sgt. James Hoffer, Company A, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment)
Black Hawk Helicopter Training
Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter) also participated in annual training with the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment. One of their missions, in preparation for a potential mobilization, was to conduct multi-aircraft training and transport N.D. National Guard senior leaders to observe ongoing aviation situational training with the McLean Sheriff's office on Aug. 11, 2020.
Keeping the Wing Safe
Vehicle driving speeds are monitored daily by 119th Security Forces Squadron members at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, in Fargo, N.D. Unit members caught speeding on base are issued a citation. While there is no fine attached to the citation, members will lose points on their on base driving record and their commander is notified of the infraction. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)
Weapons Training at Camp Ripley
Airmen from the 119th Security Forces Squadron and 219th Security Forces Squadron of the N.D. Air National Guard, fired weapons at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minn., on Aug. 3, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)
Senior Airman Brian Schreiner, of the 119th Security Forces Squadron, fires an M240 machine gun at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minn. on Aug. 3.
219th Security Forces Airmen Staff Sgt. Noe Arriaga fires a Mk 19 grenade machine gun (pronounced Mark 19) on the range as Airman 1st Class Keegan Link assists him at Camp Ripley Training Center on Aug. 3.
Disaster Relief Beddown System (DRBS) on the Move
The 119th Civil Engineer Squadron's Disaster Relief Beddown Set (DRBS) equipment was loaded onto three C-17 Globemaster aircraft Aug. 6 to 11, and sent to its new permanent home with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. The DRBS is a portable ‘tent city’ designed to house 150 people. The package includes showers, laundry facilities, latrines, water purification, generators and power distribution generators. It is packed into containers for quick transportation and used in areas devastated by natural disasters. This DRBS equipment was last used for Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Two of the C-17 aircraft arrived within a few hours of each other. It’s a rare occurrence to have two aircraft this large to be parked simultaneously on the flight line. While the C-17's were still at the air base, a C-130 Hercules from the Ohio Air National Guard's 179th Airlift Wing arrived to drop off a group of civil engineers for training at the 119th Wing's regional training site. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. David H Lipp)
815th Engineers Perform Annual Training at NTC
About 108 Soldiers with the 815th Engineer Construction Company performed their 2020 Annual Training at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, Calif. The training was conducted from July 6 to Aug. 5, 2020 in support of the Minnesota National Guard's 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division Brigade Combat Team. (Story by Sgt. 1st Class Matthew J. Hebl, 815th Engineer Construction Company)
An 815th Engineer Construction Company Soldier marks a UXO (unexploded ordnance) after it was uncovered during the construction of a tank ditch in support of the maneuver forces of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division Brigade Combat Team on July 26, 2020 during training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
An 815th Engineer Construction Company Soldier scans his vehicle's route as an assistant driver during convoy operation toward the unit's TAA (tactical assembly area) during training on July 17, 2020 at the during training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
Congressional Visit to Hooligans Air Base
U.S. Congressman Kelly Armstrong, visited the Happy Hooligans of the 119th Wing and met with senior leaders during a base familiarization tour and mission brief at the N.D. Air National Guard Base in Fargo, N.D. on Aug. 7, 2020. Discussions with Armstrong included unit activities, potential Air Guard response to natural disasters, organizational impact on the community, and recruiting and retention efforts. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H Lipp)
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