The N.D. National Guard Military Funeral Honors team fires the cannon during the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery's 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony, Mandan, N.D., May 27. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information Office)
Contents
- Memorial Day
- Keeping the Runway Open
- 81st Civil Support Team Jamestown
- Integrate for Mission Success
- Inspector General Award
- From the Field Campaign
- Order of Military Medical Merit
- SAPRO Award
- Discovery Career Fair
- Friday 5K in Bismarck
- Elkridge Flag
- Hidden Wounds Veterans Overpass
Memorial Day
North Dakotans gathered at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery for the 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony, Mandan, N.D., May 27. U.S Army Capt. Thomas Hansen served as Master of Ceremonies and N.D. Gov. Doug Burgum and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, rendered remarks during the ceremony. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
This year's keynote speaker was U.S. Navy Adm. Stuart Munsch, a North Dakota native who currently serves as the commander of the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy. In this capacity, he directs a combined NATO staff responsible for planning, preparing, and conducting military operations throughout the Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s area of responsibility. He concurrently serves as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa, where his area of responsibility encompasses the waters bordering the coasts of Europe and Africa, including the Baltic, Mediterranean, and Black Seas.
Two UH-60 Black Hawks fly over the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery for the 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony, Mandan, N.D., May 27.
N.D. Gov. Doug Burgum renders remarks at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery for the 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony, Mandan, N.D., May 27.
Special thanks to the Vets Center, Family Fare Supermarket, The Salvation Army, Nightlife Limousine, American Red Cross, Dakota Fence, Harlow's Bus Service, Honor Run Participants, North Dakota Highway Patrol, Veteran Service Organizations, Veteran Service Auxiliaries, Metro Area Ambulance Service, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, and Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club.
Keeping the Runway Open
U.S. Air Force Civil Engineers from the 9th, 7th, 92nd, and 375th Civil Engineering Squadrons came together to learn Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery (RADR) skills at the 119th Wing Regional Training Site in Fargo, N.D., May 22. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
RADR teaches Airmen the skills they need to repair runways that have incurred damage in austere environments quickly. This training allows them to become familiar with the tools and products needed to repair runways to an operating condition.
81st Civil Support Team Jamestown
The 81st Civil Support Team conducted a two-day exercise with the Stutsman County Office of Emergency Management and local first responders in Jamestown, N.D. May 7 and 9. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The 81st Civil Support Team and local first responders discuss the scene before breaching a drug lab set up in Jamestown, N.D. May 7.
The exercise began with a scenario where the unit received information on two drug labs in a local building within city limits.
The North Dakota State Crime Lab forensic chemistry unit members came to observe the CST team in their work environment.
U.S. Army Sgt. Elise Fettes, 81st Civil Support Team, places numbered evidence markers during an exercise with a drug lab set up in Jamestown, N.D. May 7.
The 81st CST supports civil authorities at domestic incident sites by identifying and assessing hazards, advising the incident commander, and facilitating follow-on military forces during emergencies and incidents.
The CST can detect and identify chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives.
Integrate for Mission Success
An MQ-9 Reaper from the 119th Wing flew from Hector International Airport in Fargo, N.D., to the 163rd Attack Wing, March Air Reserve Base, California, making its first stop before transiting across the Pacific Ocean to Marine Corps Base-Hawaii to conduct exercise Phantom Hooligan, May 21. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Phantom Hooligan is a joint exercise with the U.S. Coast Guard District 14, Marines from VMU-3, and 119th Wing Airmen. It focuses on integrating the branches on mission sets such as Maritime Domain Awareness and Seach and Rescue operations. Additionally, Wing Airmen and VMU-3 Marines demonstrated Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts across the U.S.-Indo Pacific Command area of responsibility, building partnerships and relationships with all units involved.
Inspector General Award
The 119th Wing's Inspector General team earned the 2023 Major General Junius W. Jones Inspector General Award at the Air Force IG Worldwide Training Conference in Leesburg, VA, May 16. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
From the Field Campaign
1st Battalion 188th Air Defense Artillery
U.S. Army Brigadier General Steven L. Allen, Commandant U.S. Army Ordnance School, visited 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Soldiers in Grand Forks, N.D, May 10. The unit was recognized for outstanding service support. (National Guard photo by Capt. Eric Edwardson, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery)
131st Military Police Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment
Room Clearing
131st Military Police Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment practice room clearing at their 2024 Annual Training at Camp Grafton, May 10. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Austin Haugen, 131st Military Police Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment)
Firing Lanes
131st Military Police Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment conducted the combat pistol range in the rain at Camp Grafton South, May 7. (National Guard story and photos by Lt. Col. Kris Elijah, 131st Military Police Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment)
1-112th Aviation Regiment Annual Training
Confidence Course
1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment Soldiers completed team-building exercises on the Camp Grafton Training Center confidence course on May 12. (National Guard photos by Maj. Justin Gall, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment)
Combat Lifesaver Certification
From left, U.S. Army Spc. Hannah Huber and Spc. Mason Brown, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 112th Aviation Regiment, conduct Combat Lifesaver Certification testing during Annual Training. (National Guard photos by Sgt. First Class Joseph Francetich, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 112th Aviation Regiment)
Flight Training
141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
Crew Served Weapons
141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade performed crew served weapons training at Camp Ripley on May 10. (National Guard photos by 1st Lt. Al O'Connell, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Northern Lights
3662nd Support Maintenance Company
Five Soldiers from the 3662nd Support Maintenance Company, Allied Trades section recently completed the initial equipment fielding training at Camp Grafton from May 6 through 17. The section was equipped with the Army’s new Metal Working and Machining Shop Set (MWMSS), a versatile tool that assembles and packages tool load configurations based on the 91E (Allied Trades) Military Occupational Specialty. (National Guard story and photos by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kelly Mathisen, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company)
164th Engineer Battalion
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Training
The 164th Engineer Battalion conducted Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Training, including a mask confidence trip through the CS “gas” Chamber at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, N.D., May 18. (National Guard story and photos by Maj. Justin Johnson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 164th Engineer Battalion)
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Order of Military Medical Merit
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jonathan Erickson, Land Component Commander, presided over an award ceremony for Col. Stacey Smith at the Fargo Readiness Center in Fargo, N.D. May 19. (National Guard story and photo by Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, North Dakota Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major)
Smith was awarded the Order of Military Medical Merit, a prestigious award issued to Medical personnel from all U.S. Military branches. Smith is the third NDNG recipient of this medal.
The Order of Military Medical Merit is a unique, private organization founded by the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Health Services Command in April 1982 to recognize excellence and promote fellowship and esprit de corps among Army Medical Department personnel. Membership in the Order Denotes distinguished service, which is recognized by the senior leadership of the Army Medical Department (AMEDD).
SAPRO Award
Erica Davidson, the North Dakota National Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program Officer, received the Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Award this morning. She has gone above and beyond to support NDNG's Soldiers, Airmen, and Guardsmen in all 54 states and territories.
Discovery Career Fair
N.D. National Guard recruiters partnered with the Bismarck School District to host their spring Discovery Career Fair at the Bismarck Career Academy on the campus of Bismarck State College, May 14. (U.S. National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
From left, U.S. Army Spc. Kristen Hall and Spc. Jaiden Baker, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge), allow students to explore the Bridge Erection Boat during the Discovery Career Fair at the Bismarck Career Academy, Bismarck State College, May 14.
The event allowed high school students the opportunity to explore careers fields the N.D. Army National Guard offers. Soldiers with various MOSs (Military Occupation Specialty) were present to discuss their experiences.
U.S. Army Sgt. Dean Peltier, 816th Military Police Company, shows students the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) during the Discovery Career Fair at the Bismarck Career Academy, Bismarck State College, May 14.
The event featured medical, military police, aviation, automotive mechanic, bridging engineering, communication, and information and technology MOSs.
U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Sorum, Company A, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, explains the features of flight equipment during the Discovery Career Fair at the Bismarck Career Academy, Bismarck State College, May 14.
Friday 5K in Bismarck
Due to the weather, the first Friday 5K has been moved to May 31st. The estimated start time will be either 8 a.m. or 2 p.m., weather permitting.
Elkridge Flag
Soldiers with the North Dakota National Guard went to Elk Ridge Elementary School in Bismarck, N.D., May 23, to participate in lowering the U.S. Flag for the final day of school. The U.S. Flag represents bravery, goodness, and unity. (U.S. National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Samuel Kroll, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Hidden Wounds Veterans Overpass
The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs held a dedication ceremony, designating the Hwy 221 overpass that crosses I-94 in Jamestown, N.D., as the Hidden Wounds Veterans Overpass, May 16. (U.S. National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Samuel Kroll, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
During the 2023 session, the North Dakota Legislature passed H.B.1354 that designated the overpass to call attention to the hidden wounds suffered by the veteran and military communities who died struggling with Post Traumatic Stress, traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, and other unseen ailments due to military service. Some tragically died by suicide, carrying the weight of those wounds.
The dedication ceremony is also for those currently struggling with hidden wounds and needing assistance. Information resource tables were available after the ceremony, featuring suicide prevention, Fargo VA Health Care System services, 988, and 211 FirstLink services.
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