Emergency Management Airmen train on operating Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Operations (CBRN) Operations in cold weather at the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devil's Lake, N.D. Jan. 24. (N.D. Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Contents
- Council of Colonels
- Change of Command
- Change of Responsibility
- Exercise Deep Freeze
- Blumler's Purple Heart
- Recognition from the Chief
- From the Field Campaign
- Award For Patriotism
- Promotions
- Proud Father
- Joint Leadership Conference
- Property Tax Information
Council of Colonels
In preparation for the March 26, Governor’s Strategy Review, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, hosted a Council of Colonels (CoC) at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D. Jan. 23. (National Guard story and photos by Lt. Col. Jay Sheldon, Joint Force Headquarters)
The purpose is to develop strategic objectives that support the Adjutant General's (TAG’s) command guidance followed by campaign objectives that support the TAG’s strategy review with the Governor. Participants were asked to review previous products from the last CoC - the strategic approach, the strategic plan crosswalk, the consolidated Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats - and the N.D. National Guard Governor’s Strategy Review.
Change of Command
The 68th Troop Command conducted a change of command ceremony at Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, Feb 4. Outgoing commander Col. Paul Helten relinquished duties to Col. Cody Volk. (National Guard story and photos by Pfc. Anna Welchel, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Col. Paul Helten, outgoing commander of the 68th Troop Command, addresses 68th Troop Command Soldiers and guests during the Change of Command Ceremony at Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Col. Helten had been the commander of the 68th Troop Command for the previous two and a half years.
Left to right; Col. Paul Helten, outgoing commander of the 68th Troop Command, Brig. Gen. Jonathan Erickson, Land Component Commander, Col. Cody Volk, incoming commander of the 68th Troop Command, Col. Cody Volk, incoming commander receives the 68th Troop Command colors during the Change of Command Ceremony at Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, Sunday, Feb. 4.
The passing of the colors signified to the soldiers of the 68th Troop Command that Col. Helten had passed his command to Col. Volk.
Change of Responsibility
The 68th Troop Command conducted a change of responsibility ceremony for the unit's command sergeant major at Raymond J. Bohn Armory, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 4. Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Garrett, relinquished duties to Command Sgt. Maj. Brad Reed. (National Guard story and photos by Pfc. Anna Welchel, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Col. Cody Volk, Commander of the 68th Troop Command, presented Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Garrett, outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. of the 68th Troop Command, with a plaque during the Change of Responsibility Ceremony at Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, Sunday, Feb. 4. This plaque was presented to commemorate his time with the 68th Troop Command.
Exercise Deep Freeze
The 119th Wing hosted the field exercise Deep Freeze, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Operations (CBRN) exercise held at the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devil's Lake, N.D., Jan. 22-26. (National Guard story and photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Emergency Management Airmen use a sled to bring their equipment through the snow during a cold weather exercise at the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devil's Lake, N.D., Jan. 25.
Emergency Management Airmen from across the country used the exercise to learn how to overcome the special challenges in cold weather during a CBRN response.
Emergency Management Airmen start testing objects in a building during a cold weather exercise at the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devil's Lake, N.D., Jan. 24.
Training in cold weather can present unique challenges with detection equipment that uses electricity, as freezing temperatures can affect battery life.
An Emergency Management Airman tests liquids during a cold weather exercise at the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devil's Lake, N.D., Jan. 24.
The emergency managers wore layers of clothing under and over their chemical ensembles to stay warm, but also made it harder to capture data effectively.
The exercise hopes to aid in tactics, techniques, and procedures that will help these Airmen during CBRN operations in extreme cold weather environments.
Blumler's Purple Heart
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nicolette Daschendorf presented Chief Warrant Officer 2 (Retired) Richard Blumler his second Purple Heart Award for wounds received in action, at Sanborn Veterans Park during the Sanborn Veterans Park Board's annual meeting at Sanborn Veterans Park, N.D. on Jan. 16. (N.D. Guard story by Lt. Col. Nicolette Daschendorf, Recruiting and Retention Command, commander)
Blumler was wounded in Iraq on June 16, 2004. Both Daschendorf and Blumler were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II with the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion.
Blumler retired from the N.D. Army National Guard this past October with more than 20 faithful years of service. Both grew up near Sanborn, and are now members of the Sanborn Veterans Park Board.
Recognition from the Chief
U.S. Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, recognized two Soldiers from the 3662nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC) for their volunteer work in Devils Lake, N.D. on Jan. 20. (National Guard story and photos by Capt. Rhea Goulet, 3662nd SMC commander)
Staff Sgt. Tiffany Vannett, the training noncommissioned officer (NCO), and Staff Sgt. Sean Vannett, the supply NCO, 3662nd SMC, have received recognition from Hokanson for their extraordinary commitment to assist service members and their loved ones.
Both Vannetts serve as mentors, offering guidance not only with military matters, but also beyond the uniform, assisting with the transitions between military and civilian life.
Their role as connectors has been crucial in ensuring that Soldiers and their families have access to essential resources, including medical care, financial assistance, and educational opportunities.
From the Field Campaign
Aviation
Welcome Home
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dan Fitzner, Detachment 7, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, is greeted by his family after returning from deployment, at the Bismarck Airport on Jan. 27. (National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Nicole Daschendorf, Recruiting and Retention Command, commander)
Chiefs at Drill
Annual Meeting of the chief warrant officers during drill, at the Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center in Fargo, Jan. 28th. (National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Alan Roehrich, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Recruiting and Retention Command
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class John Hoefer, N.D. Guard Recruiting and Retention Command, gives a class on cover and concealment and then evaluating a casualty to new recruits at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Jan. 27. (National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Nicole Daschendorf, Recruiting and Retention Command, commander)
Award For Patriotism
The N.D. National Guard presented a plaque to the Grant County/Mott-Regent (GCMR) Boys Basketball team for their patriotism at the N.D. National Guard Armory in Mott, N.D., Jan. 30. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nicolette Daschendorf, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command commander, addresses the crowd before a GCMR Boys Basketball game, at the N.D. National Guard Armory in Mott, N.D., Jan. 30.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nicolette Daschendorf, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command commander, presented the team with a plaque recognizing their exemplary respect for the U.S. Flag.
N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command members shake hands with the GCMR Boys Basketball team at the N.D. National Guard Armory in Mott, N.D., Jan. 30.
This team has made it a priority to stand and face the flag during the National Anthem and still stand till the flag is rolled back up into the rafters at every basketball game.
"Demonstrating respect at every basketball game reflects a strong commitment to honoring the United States flag and all it represents," said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Eric Binstock, N.D. state command sergeant major. "Win or lose, these young men show us what it means to be proud United States citizens."
Promotions
Lt. Col. Roehrich
U.S. Army Col. Kevin Miller, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), commander, presided over a promotion ceremony for Alan Roehrich, Brigade S3, to lieutenant colonel, at the Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center in Fargo, Jan. 26. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st MEB, Public Affairs Officer)
Maj. Werre
U.S. Army Col. Steven Selzler, Joint Operations Center Director, presided over a promotion ceremony for Jenna Werre, Joint Force Headquarters, at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., Feb. 3. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Proud Father
LTC (Retired) Brent Naslund was present when his Son, Cameron, enlisted into the N.D. Guard in Bismarck, Jan. 31. (National Guard story and photo by Lt. Col. Nicole Daschendorf, Recruiting and Retention Command, commander)
Attention Current N.D. Guard Members!
Property Tax Information
Get the TAG Line by Email
Click to receive an email whenever a new TAG Line is published.