Senior Airman Jhon Cerna, 119th Services Flight, empties a pan of green peppers onto a cooking surface as he helps prepare a hot fajita meal for unit training assembly lunch at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Jan. 10, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Chief Master Sgt. David H Lipp)
N.D. Guard / N.D. Department of Human Services Receive U.S. Army Award
The U.S. Army recognized the N.D. National Guard and the N.D. Department of Human Services’ Division of Field Services with the 2020 Army Community Partnership Award during a virtual ceremony on January 13, 2020. This award recognizes the collaboration between the two agencies in an initiative to mitigate the risk of suicide by service members. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
This award is given to Army agencies and installations that demonstrate partnerships which improve the lives of Service members and their Families, enhance Army readiness and build stronger community relationships. For more information click the news release.
U.S. Army Supports COVID-19 Response in N.D.
Learn how Task Force 46 and the N.D. National Guard are working together to support their largest and longest domestic response in the N.D. Guard's history. Listen as our guests highlight how their joint efforts have been integral in helping in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Col. Tad Schauer, Director of Military Support for the N.D. National Guard, shares the mission and the response planning in the enduring mission against the virus. Click to listen to the podcast "Army Support to North Dakota COVID-19 Response".
Other participants in the podcast include 2nd Lt. Kathleen Alejandro, a registered nurse from Task Force Center, who praises local hospitals and officials on how their teamwork has helped to navigate the unique challenges of the pandemic. Also rendering comments are Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Brian Martinus also of Task Force Center, who emphasizes the importance placed on behavioral health and religious support in order to maintain the moral of the task force and the success of the mission.
Sgt. Scott Leidholm, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, collects data from a COVID-19 test participant at the N.D. State Capitol in Bismarck on July 6, 2020.
Binax Testing at Bismarck's Gateway Mall
N.D. Army National Guard Deputy State Surgeon Discusses COVID-19 Vaccine
119th Services Flight Sustains the Force
The 119th Services Flight personnel are serving four meal options, including two hot meal options, during unit training assemblies (UTA), while simultaneously training for deployment at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, in Fargo, N.D. In-person UTAs were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in April 2020. This in turn postponed meal services from April through July. Providing meals for Airmen at UTAs resumed in August 2020, with hot meals provided beginning in October. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by Chief Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Airman Paul Holaday, 119th Services Flight, packages lunches for unit member distribution at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., during monthly unit training assembly on Jan. 10, 2021.
"Maintaining meal service while the force deals with the COVID-19 pandemic is important for Airman morale - especially the hot meal service,” said Staff Sgt. William Case, of the 119th Services Flight.
Senior Airman Jhon Cerna, 119th Services Flight, stirs a pan of green peppers and onions in a cooking surface as he helps prepare a hot fajita meal for unit training assembly lunch at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo on Jan. 10.
The meal service is an important part of training for the 119th Services Flight personnel. The challenge of maintaining social distancing requirements has not prevented the flight from accomplishing the rest of their training requirements for deployment during the pandemic.
817th Engineer Company Weekend Drill
About 78 Soldiers of the Jamestown-based 817th Engineer Company traveled to Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) for their IDT (Inactive Duty Training) Jan. 8 to 10, 2021. The engineers practiced their marksmanship skills with CGTC's Engagement Skills Trainer, and conducted their annual required Soldier record checks. The Soldiers also participated in the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ben Halvorson, Camp Grafton Training Center Operations)
Staff Sgt. Jon Rambow demonstrates the Army Combat Fitness Test's two minute plank at Camp Grafton Training Center during the 817th Engineer Company's Inactive Duty Training period on Jan. 9, 2021.
Soldiers of the 817th Engineer Company participate in the Army Combat Fitness Test's Sprint-Drag-Carry event during the unit's Inactive Duty Training period on Jan. 9, 2021.
Adjutant General Announces Force Structure Change
The North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, announced force structure changes affecting the Williston-based 818th Engineer Company (Sapper) and Jamestown’s 817th Engineer Company (Sapper).
“The National Guard Bureau is adjusting Army engineer force structure nation-wide,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann. “What this means for North Dakota is the eventual transfer of the 818th Engineer Company to another state. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have N.D. National Guard presence in the city. We are committed to a long-term unit presence in Williston.”
In addition to the 818th transfer to another state, the 817th Engineer Company will convert to a Combat Engineer Company – Infantry (CEC-I). With this change, the 817th is expected to grow from about 93 to 119 Soldiers and the unit's capabilities will expand to include combat engineers, vertical and horizontal construction capabilities. These changes are not expected until fiscal year 2025. These force structure changes are consistent with the U.S. Army’s commitment to support LSCO (large-scale combat operations). More information on these force structure changes will be announced as they become available. Click to news release more. (National Guard story by Jay Martinez, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The N.D. National Guard has been a part of the Williston community since 1902. In 2006, Company B, 164th Engineer Battalion converted to the current 818th Engineer Company. The unit served in Afghanistan for nearly a year from April 2012 to March 2013.
Soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard's 818th Engineer Company (Sapper) board their chartered flight beginning their year-long deployment to Afghanistan at the Bismarck Airport, Bismarck, N.D. on April 30, 2012. (National Guard photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)
Brig. Gen. Schulte Recognized for COVID-19 Efforts
Brig. Gen. Robert Schulte, N.D. National Guard chief of staff for Air, was awarded the N.D. National Guard State Meritorious Service Medal from Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, at Fraine Barracks on Jan. 10, 2021. The award was presented in recognition of Schulte's outstanding efforts as the state testing strategy officer during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He developed a plan to work with key state agencies to get 100,000 tests performed at over 40 testing missions, in 20 communities and 5 tribal nations. His contributions helped the state reach a capacity of performing 6,000 COVID-19 tests per day. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
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