Members of the 81st Civil Support Team provide Bismarck State College chemistry students an orientation of their emergency response equipment, Bismarck, March 29, 2022.
Camp Grafton training center commander retires
Col. Ed Johnson, commander of Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC), was honored at a retirement ceremony which recognized nearly four decades of his military service, CGTC, March 26, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
His military service began in 1982 when he enlisted in the Devils Lake-based 3662nd Heavy Equipment Maintenance Company, as a fuel and electric systems repairman. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps in November 1992 and is also a branch qualified Logistics Officer. Johnson commanded the 3662nd General Support Maintenance Company from 1997 to 2000, and the 231st Brigade Support Battalion in Valley City from 2013 to 2015. Key staff assignments include battalion-level executive officer and operations officer, executive officer for the Office of the Adjutant General, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. He assumed command of Camp Grafton Training Center October 2018 following an assignment as Camp Grafton Director of Plans and Operations.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, presents Col. Ed Johnson, commander of Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC), a certificate of retirement, CGTC, March 26, 2022.
African Land Forces Summit
Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber and Sgt. Maj. Scott Obrigewitch participated in the African Land Forces Summit at Fort Benning, Georgia, March 21 to 25, 2022. (National Guard story by Sgt. Maj. Scott Obrigewitch, 141st Maneuverer Enhancement Brigade)
The week-long event featured speakers who focused on this year’s theme: “Resilient Institutions Build Resilient Leaders”. Land Forces General Officers from 46 different countries attended. African nations contributed 42 with the remainder hailing from Brazil, France, Italy, and Spain. National Guard units that have partnerships with African nations include North Dakota, Wyoming, New York, Utah, Maine, and California.
First GAF Female Engineer Soldier to Quality on Heavy Equipment
The N.D. National Guard became part of Women's History Month by assisting in the training of the first Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) female heavy equipment operator, March 14 to April 2, 2022, at the Bundase Training Camp in Ghana. (National Guard story by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program director)
Private Avorkpo Benedicta learned to operate the hydraulic excavator (HYEX), roller, and grader thanks to the collaborative efforts of the instructors from the GAF's Engineer Training School, the N.D. Guard's 164th Regional Training Institute, 188th Engineer Company, and 815th Engineer Company.
The N.D. Guard and the western African nation of Ghana have formally worked together since 2004 under the State Partnership Program.
From left: Staff Sgt. Gary McDonald, N.D. National Guard 164th Regional Training Institute; and Warrant Officer First Class Stanley Agrah, lead instructor with the Ghana Armed Forces Engineer Training School, assist Private Avorkpo Benedicta with her grader qualification training, Bundase Training Camp in Ghana, March 18, 2022. Benedicta is the first Ghana Armed Forces female to qualify on heavy engineer equipment. (National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Neil Horner, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Private Avorkpo Benedicta, center, and other engineers from the Ghana Armed Forces train at the Bundase Training Camp in Ghana, March 18, 2022.
Sgt. Ryan Sott, 815th Engineer Company, with engineers from the Ghana Armed Forces at the Bundase Training Camp in Ghana, March 18, 2022. Warrant Officer First Class Stanley Agrah, lead instructor with the Ghana Armed Forces Engineer Training School, stands to the far right and Private Avorkpo Benedicta sits on the hydraulic excavator.
Arctic Interest Council
Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard, and Col. Brock Larson, Joint Force Headquarters, participated in the National Guard Arctic Interest Council at the northern city of Kotzebue, Alaska, March 29, 2022. Six states were represented. (National Guard story and photo by Capt. David Bedard, Alaska National Guard Public Affairs)
The council, created in 2017, provides a forum of representatives and experts from states with arctic interests, capabilities, and resources that include the following objectives:
• Establish and codify the National Guard’s place as a premier force provider for the Arctic.
• Serve as a communications channel for shared situational awareness on Arctic topics and activities.
• Conduct joint integrated planning for the Arctic for National Guard stakeholders.
• Develop arctic expertise and knowledge for the National Guard to respond to senior leader or organizational requests for information about the Arctic.
• Coordinate with Department of Defense, interagency, and international partners and act as the National Guard representative to their arctic planning/working groups.
• Conduct joint integrated arctic exercise planning for the National Guard.
Attendees of the National Guard Arctic Interest Council, Kotzebue, March 29, 2022.
Member states in the Arctic Interest Council include Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
sapper Weapons Training
The 818th Engineer Company (SAPPER) conducted weapons training and preliminary marksmanship instruction (PMI) in Minot, March 27, 2022. The classes were conducted to help refresh fire air knowledge and provide new shooting skills. The class focused on the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon or SAW. (National Guard story and photos by Spc. Justus Joel Freidel, 818th Engineer Company)
Students Visit Civil support team
Members from the 81st Civil Support Team (CST) hosted chemistry students from Bismarck State College at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, March 29, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The organic chemistry students used laboratory hours to receive real-world experience and occupational training from the 81st CST.
Sgt. Dominic Delaney, 81st Civil Support Team, shows the NUCSafe Radiation backpack to Bismarck State College students at Fraine Barracks, March 29, 2022.
Sgt. Travis Johnson, 81st Civil Support Team, talks about the team's chemical protection equipment to Bismarck State College students at Fraine Barracks, March 29, 2022.
Sgt. Brent Lafontaine, 81st Civil Support Team, shows Bismarck State College students a TALON Tracked Military Robot at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, March 29, 2022.
Sgt. 1st Class John Noyes, 81st Civil Support Team, briefs on the capabilities of the Analytical Laboratory System (ALS) at Fraine Barracks, March 29, 2022.
SPP DIRECTOR BRIEFS BISON CADETS ON THE VALUE OF ALLIANCES
Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, N.D. State Partnership Program (SPP) director, gave a lecture to N.D. State University (NDSU) students about the partnership program and the value of these relationships that U.S. military has established and maintained. (National Guard story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Jecca Geffre, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The students are Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) members of the NDSU's Bison Battalion that were eager to learn about the program and its links to possible career avenues. From participating in SPP missions with N.D. National Guard partner nations - Ghana, Togo, and Benin - to working with U.S. ambassadors as a Bilateral Affairs Officer (BAO), or directing the SPP for all N.D. Guard members. McEvers discussed the importance and the opportunities to share our values and military traditions with other nations, including highlighting our noncommissioned officers (NCOs) as the backbone of the U.S. military.
“Most militaries do not empower NCOs like the U.S. model and we show the military of Ghana, Togo, and Benin the possibilities,” McEvers said.
The cadets were briefs on the background of the program and the value SPP provides by reinforcing cooperation, security capabilities, and alignment with defense strategy.
“THIS IS A COST-EFFECTIVE PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS NORTH DAKOTA GUARDSMEN TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT DOD POLICY AND CONTRIBUTE TO SECURITY AND STABILITY GLOBALLY,” MCEVERS SAID. “GUARD MEMBERS ARE DIFFERENT FROM ACTIVE DUTY because WE HAVE LONGEVITY AT OUR HOME BASE, WHICH ENABLES US TO KEEP CONSISTENCY AND DEEPEN INTEROPERABILITY.”
Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, N.D. State Partnership Program (SPP) director, speaks with ROTC students about the State Partnership Program (SPP) on the campus of North Dakota State University, Fargo, March 29, 2022.
The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine highlights the discreet advantages of the program, as it was founded in 1993 as the Partnership for Peace Program. It was designed to build cohesion and alliances between former U.S.S.R. republics and satellites. America saw an interest in helping the fledgling nations embrace their independence and cultivate their democracies. Through these partnerships, Army and Air Guard members have advanced through the ranks along with their counterparts in partner nations over the more than two and a half decades of the program. McEvers spoke about a N.D. National Guard sergeant major, CSM Scott Obrigewitch, who came up the ranks with his Ghanan colleague Daniel Addo, who is now the Forces Sergeant Major of Ghanaian Defense Forces.
The NDNG has been partnered with Ghana since 2004 and began partnerships with Togo and Benin in 2014. Missions between the partnerships have a range of focus areas, including disaster and emergency response, leadership development, aviation operations, cyber defense, engineering projects, infantry tactics, public affairs and chaplain operations. The N.D. National Guard is working with Togo on their NCO Academy curriculum and sharing some best practices regarding cybersecurity with the collective group.
NDSU student and native Ghanaian Denis Duku attended the lecture and contributed as well. He is on course to be the first Ghanaian to become a commissioned officer in the NDNG. Duku, who has attended SPP missions both as an enlisted member and as an ROTC Cadet, told the class about his experience and some of the cultural differences between the countries that he found interesting. He highly encouraged the students to take advantage of the experience of working with Ghanaian forces and spoke of the positive aspects of the collaboration.
McEvers said a unique aspect of the program is that other countries initiate the connection, it’s not something that the U.S. solicits.
“Many countries are willing to go through the process to get approved and paired with a state national guard because they see the value in having these consistent, long-standing relationships with the U.S,” McEvers said.
Recruiting orientation class
The N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion (RRB) conducted onboarding training for new recruiters and staff, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, March 30 to 31, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The two-day course encompassed overall RRB operations and provides information to set them up for success. Instructors came from various parts of the battalion, including enlisted and officer production subject matter experts, personnel, training, supply, budget, and retention. In the Recruiting 101 block of instruction, the importance of accurate processing was stressed, along with understanding Strength Maintenance regulations, organizational tips, useful communication strategies, building digital packets, and much more.
Guard Soldiers earn coveted German military award
Three N.D. National Guard Soldiers were awarded the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, March 26, 2022. (National Guard story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Allied Soldiers may also be awarded the badge. Any rank may be awarded and wear the badge. In the United States Military, the German award is one of the few approved foreign awards and is one of the most sought-after achievements.
From left: 2nd Lt. Hanna Sampel, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment; Lt. Col. Barth, German Army; 2nd Lt. Jason Erickson, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment; and Sgt. Mathew Wolf, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
Darcy Schwind Retirement
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Darcy Schwind retired from her position as the Grants Officer Representative with the U.S. Property & Fiscal Office (PFO), March 24, 2022, at Fraine Barracks. (National Guard story and photos by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Schwind, who served in the National Guard for over 36 years before retiring in 2018, began working for the PFO in 2005 and continued there for 17 years, working alongside Col. Paul Harron, Grants Officer, as the Grants Officer Representative. She was presented the State Meritorious Service Medal by Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Darcy Schwind, reacts to Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann's comments during the presentation of the State Meritorious Service Medal at Fraine Barracks, March 24.
Col. Paul Harron, U.S. Property & Fiscal Officer, renders remarks during retired Command Sgt. Maj. Darcy Schwind's retirement ceremony at Fraine Barracks, March 24, 2022.
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