ndguardian march - april 2015

GUARDIANVolume 8, Issue 3 March/April 2015

119th Wing Travels to Hickam AFBfor Annual Training PG. 14

Hooligan History

PG. 4

N.D. Air National GuardTraces Roots to World War II

Emergency ResponseDomestic Operations Section Works With

State Partners during Tornado ExercisePG. 9

Diving into Work

DepartmentsGuardian Snapshots ..................... News Briefs .....................................Sound Off! .....................................

Page 161Page 23

Interact With Us!See even more N.D. National Guard highlights at our social media sites, and share your thoughts!

www.youtube.com/NDNationalGuard

www.flickr.com/photos/NDGuard www.facebook.com/NDNationalGuard

www.twitter.com/NDNationalGuard

Inside This IssueFeatures

9 Preparing forDisaster

The N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters’ Domestic Operations, or DOMOPS, section recently had the opportunity to strengthen the organization’s partnerships with other state emergency response agencies during a severe storm exercise, which simulated an EF3 tornado tearing through Devils Lake, North Dakota.

6 CaringCoalition

ND Cares — a coalition dedicated to strengthening a network of support for the state’s service members, veterans, families and survivors — is establishing a leaders’ network to explore support needs, consolidate resources and close gaps in coverage to care for and meet the challenges faced by families who’ve served.

10 OutstandingAirmen

The North Dakota Air National Guard, known as the “Happy Hooligans,” recognized the organization’s top noncommissioned officers and unit members of the year during its 2014 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet. Fifteen airmen were nominated for the award based on their military and civic service throughout 2014.

On the Cover

The North Dakota Guardian is an authorized publication for members, families and retirees of the N.D. National Guard.

•Contents of the North Dakota Guardian are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of the Army or Air Force.

•Editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Joint Force Headquarters, N.D. National Guard ( JFND) Public Affairs Officer.

•Printed by United Printing, a private firm in no way connected to the U.S. Government under exclusive written contract with the JFND. Reproduction is by the offset method with a circulation of approximately 4,900.

•The North Dakota Guardian is published by the JFND Public Information Office, Box 5511, Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5511, 701.333.2007

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONSContributions to the North Dakota Guardian are encouraged! Send articles, photos and art to Editor, JFND PIO, Box 5511, Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5511. Electronic submissions are preferred. Please e-mail stories in Word format to: [email protected]: 701-333-2195 Fax: 701-333-2017Digital photos should be 300 dpi, if possible.

Commander in ChiefNorth Dakota Governor

Jack Dalrymple

The Adjutant GeneralMaj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk

Chief of Public AffairsMr. Bill Prokopyk

EditorSgt. Jennifer Joyce

ContributorsChaplain (Lt. Col.) David Johnson

Maj. Donavan BlazekMaj. Penny RippergerCapt. Joshua Breding

Chaplain (Capt.) Justing FengerCapt. Jeff Hoffer

1st Lt. Cathy PetersonChief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel Skager

Senior Master Sgt. David LippStaff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen

Staff Sgt. Brett MillerTech. Sgt. Bradly Schneider

Sgt. Ashley JohlfsSpc. Kristin Berg

Spc. Jessica BilquistSenior Airman Skyler Moderow

119th Medical Group physician Col. Bryan Delage climbs out of the Pacific Ocean during water survival refresher training March 12 at Hickam Beach, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where the medical group Airmen completed annual training.

Photo by Capt. Joshua Breding,119th Wing

T Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk

North Dakota Adjutant General

VIEW FROM THE TOP

As you know, the North Dakota National Guard has three state partnerships in Africa. We celebrated our 10-year anniversary last year with Ghana and recently added Togo and Benin to our State Partnership Program.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the African Land Forces Summit in Senegal, Africa. Thirty-six of the 54 African nations were represented, along with nine of the ten National Guard state partnerships in Africa. Most of these African nations’ representatives were their Army chiefs of staff. Although there were language and cultural barriers, we definitely felt a bond as Soldiers serving our respective nations. As senior leaders within our armies, we were all in favor of peace and stability within our countries and around the world.

Discussion ranged from peacekeeping operations training to the challenges of regional military cooperation to the future and the four “Cs for success:” coordination, cooperation, communication and consensus building. The four “Cs” apply to most every mission with which we may be tasked. Several senior leaders from other nations reiterated the four “Cs” and added a fifth “C:” commitment. As we all know, commitment is an important component in military service as we tackle all endeavors.

Even though terrorism was not a formal agenda topic, it was mentioned several times in open discussion. Every nation is concerned about terrorism and wants to enhance their counter-terrorism response capabilities. Our regional approach to security cooperation activities with Ghana, Togo and Benin fits well with their joint efforts to protect their citizens and overcome terrorist organizations. In the coming months, we will pursue the idea of a joint command post exercise with these African nations. This exercise will help ensure that our armies and our Soldiers are better prepared to meet terrorist threats

and help them succeed in their assigned missions.

There is no doubt that this African Land Forces Summit was a success. Representatives of 36 African nations convened with representatives of the United States. Thirty-seven nations left the Summit as friends and allies better prepared to cooperate in facing and defeating our common threats. As military leaders, the participants recognized the value of sharing, networking and partnering. We found that most of our discussion with the African nations mirrored the current discussions that we are experiencing regarding the challenges of resourcing and shaping an appropriate land forces structure for the future.

Although we are thousands of miles away from Africa, the N.D. National Guard has had a presence and an influence on the stability within the continent of Africa. Our state partnerships are strong because of the efforts and professionalism of the Soldiers and Airmen of the N.D. National Guard and their participation in the State Partnership Program. Our

Soldiers and Airmen are second to none when it comes to successfully carrying out missions, no matter where they may be.

I see our African partnerships continuing to grow and I see greater opportunities for our Guard members. I thank you all for the great job you’ve done in perpetuating the outstanding reputation of our organization. This has directly contributed to the high level of respect enjoyed by the N.D. National Guard within the African continent.

maintaining partnershipsA MESSAGE FROM THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, visits with representatives from the Togolese Republic during an African Land Forces Summit in Senegal.

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 3

By Capt. Jeff HofferN.D. National Guard Historian

From the desk oF the

North Dakota National Guard Historian

HISTORIC BEGINNINGS

The story of the North Dakota Air National Guard’s “Happy Hooligans” began with the formation of the 392nd Fighter Squadron at Hamilton Army Air Field near San Francisco, California, on July 15, 1943. As one of three squadrons assigned to the 367th Fighter Group — later known as “The Dynamite Gang — the unit trained with Bell P-39 Airacobras before arriving England in April 1944, and being assigned to the 9th Army Air Force’s IX Fighter Command.

Upon arrival at their new home at Royal Air Force Stoney Cross, near Hampshire, England, the squadron was surprised to find twin-engine Lockheed P-38J Lightings awaiting them. Trained as a single-engine squadron, the unit expected to receive North American P-51 Mustangs, but began training with their new mounts. Following about a month of retraining with the P-38s, the 392nd Fighter Squadron flew its first combat missions over Adolph Hitler’s “Fortress Europe” in May 1944. Fighter sweeps, bomber escort and dive-bombing missions against German targets in occupied France

‘Happy Hooligans’ Trace Their Lineage to World War II

became regular occurrences, as preparations for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe continued.

By June 6, 1944, the Allied invasion of Normandy was well underway, and found the squadron providing air cover for British, Canadian and American forces crossing the English Channel. That pivotal day was known simply as “D-Day.” With the withdrawal of the bulk of the German Luftwaffe to Germany to protect against the ever-increasing devastation against German war industry wrought by the bombers of the U.S. 8th Air Force and the British Royal Air Forces Bomber Command, encounters with the Luftwaffe proved rare. Instead, missions against German ground targets, such as troop concentrations, convoys, armor, artillery positions, flak towers and aerodromes all fell under the guns, rockets, and bombs of the 392nd as it supported the slow Allied advance in the hedgerow-framed Norman countryside.

One of the squadron’s significant contributions in June was preventing German reinforcements from reaching the front lines by attacking transportation infrastructure, such as railroads, marshalling yards and trains. The killing and destruction in Normandy took on a whole new meaning for the 392nd in late June as the German 7th Army, threatened with being surrounded and cut off in France, withdrew eastward through a gap to the east of the Allied lines between Falaise and Argentan, France. In a single day, the squadron destroyed five convoys and about 100 tanks, as the Germans attempted to avoid encirclement.

A 392nd Fighter Squadron P-47D Thunderbolt piloted by 367th Fighter Group Commander Col. Edwin S. “Chick” Chickering soars over the European countryside in early 1945. Chickering, originally from Oil City, Pennsylvania, commanded the 367th Fighter Group from November 1944 to September 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo)

4 · Guardian · March 2015

In the Allied breakout that followed the destruction at Falaise, the 392nd Fighter Squadron maintained pressure on the enemy, moving from England to France in July where it set up housekeeping at Criqueville-en-Bessin, one of the forward airfields established during the Normandy Campaign. Life in Normandy differed greatly from England. The men lived and worked from tents and serviced their planes in the open air. There, pierced steel planking replaced concrete runways. Further moves followed as the war moved eastward, but conditions remained a constant.

Infrequent encounters with the Luftwaffe provided fodder for pilots’ post-mission debriefs, but usually resulted in few aerial victories, as the squadron continued to focus on the destruction of ground targets. As July stretched into August, the Luftwaffe returned and the 392nd Fighter Squadron added attacks against enemy aerodromes to its repertoire while strikes against the German army continued. The tempo reached a head on Aug. 25, 1944. Following a fight with German fighters — while attacking enemy airfields and low on fuel — the squadron strafed and destroyed an enemy train and then a vehicle convoy. The pilots returned to base to rearm and refuel before returning to the air and flying an 800-mile fighter sweep against enemy airfields. For its Herculean efforts, the squadron received a Presidential Unit Citation.

During the fall of 1944, the 392nd Fighter Squadron supported attacks against the Seigfried Line where it continued with its missions of close air support, interdiction and fighter sweeps into Germany itself. On Dec. 16, the Germans launched a massive offensive through the Ardennes in Belgium, surprising U.S. forces during a period of poor weather that kept units like the 392nd Fighter Squadron grounded. The Germans made significant gains as the largest battle the U.S. Army history, the Battle of the Bulge, developed. The German successes were not to continue. By Dec. 26, the weather cleared, and Allied air power took to the skies, visiting destruction upon enemy forces. Flying with the other two squadrons of the group, the 392nd escorted U.S. C-47 cargo aircraft dropping supplies to the besieged American defenders in the encircled Belgian city of Bastogne. As Germany’s last major offensive in the

west faltered, then failed, the enemy again withdrew eastward.

As 1945 unfolded, air operations continued for the 392nd. In February, the squadron replaced its P-38Js with P-47Ds, mostly owing to a shortage of P-38s throughout the European Theater, stemming from combat losses. For a brief period, the squadron operated both aircraft until the last P-38s disappeared. With the proven P-47, the 392nd flew another memorable mission on March 19, 1945, when the squadron, while flying as part of the 367th Fighter Group, attacked the headquarters of the Germany Army’s commander-in-chief West at Ziegenburg, Germany. With its targets nestled in rugged terrain and obscured by ground haze, the squadron successfully struck from low altitudes, earning it a second Presidential Unit Citation.

The months of combat culminated with the end of the war in Europe on May 8, 1945. As the war in Europe ended, battles in the Pacific continued, and on July 1, the squadron learned it would be sent to support Allied efforts there. Shortly

following its return to the United States, the squadron replaced its P-47Ds with the newer, longer-ranged P-47N. As the unit prepared to deploy, events outstripped plans, and on Aug. 15, 1945, Japan surrendered and World War II ended, just over two years after the squadron first entered service. The 392nd Fighter Squadron disbanded at Seymour-Johnson Army Air Field, North Carolina, and formally inactivated in November 1945.

The 392nd Fighter Squadron, redesignated the 178th Fighter Squadron, was allotted to the N.D. Air National Guard on May 24, 1946, at Hector Field in Fargo, becoming the first unit of the organization. The 392nd Fighter Squadron’s parent fighter group during the war, the 367th, went to Minnesota and became the 133rd Fighter Group on May 23, 1946. On Feb. 1, 1947, federal recognition was received and North Dakota’s 178th Fighter Squadron acquired the P-51 Mustang — the same airframe its legacy unit expected to see upon its arrival in England in April 1944 The rest, as they say, is history.

Maj. Robert C. “Buck” Rogers, originally of Omaha, Nebraska, poses next to his P-38J, Lightning “Little Buckaroo,” of the 392nd Fighter Squadron, at Clastres, France, on Oct. 12, 1944. (U.S. Army Air Corps photo)


It started with an invitation and developed into dutiful passion. North Dakota First Lady Betsy Dalrymple said she was delighted when asked to chair a newly-formed coalition dedicated to “strengthening an accessible, seamless network of support for the state’s service members, veterans, families and survivors.” The group, known as ND Cares, represents a broad spectrum of military support programs and public and private service providers. In recent months, the coalition has been influential in establishing a leaders’ network to explore support needs, consolidate resources and close gaps in coverage to care for and meet the challenges faced by families who’ve served.

“There are a lot of great providers of services out there. We just want to be able to tell people who have served where to find those services and how better to connect people,” Dalrymple said. “Sometimes you just need to get the right people in the room together.”

That process, up to this point, has taken a lot of collaboration. The groundwork for the coalition was laid nearly two years ago in May 2013 after a 12-person team of state mental health providers and state agency representatives were invited to attend a policy academy hosted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The federal entity, according to its website, works “within the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services” and “leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.”

Recently, SAMHSA has been working with each state in an effort to engage stakeholders and initiate dialog about how they can best support service members returning from deployments, their families, and other veterans. One member of the North Dakota delegation who has been active with the group from the initial SAMHSA meeting is Connie Sprynczynatyk, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army and wife of Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota’s adjutant general. Connie joined the original group that gathered in April 2013 to work with SAMHSA in the planning process, and agreed with others that Dalrymple would be an outstanding coalition chair.

“One of our goals was to establish an effective leaders’ network, and our team believed First Lady Betsy Dalrymple’s skills and caring personality would be perfect to lead the charge,” Sprynczynatyk said. “I am so glad she said yes; Betsy is highly organized and firmly committed to making sure we give this effort our very best. We've joked that our coalition has no authority or budget; what we do have is imagination, intense passion and determination.”

First Lady Dalrymple said the coalition’s primary focus has been on the topic of behavioral health since it is a broader term that

Stitching it All TogetherND Cares Coalition Dedicated to Strengthening N.D. Military Support

By Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen,Joint Force Headquarters

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple in February signed an executive order to officially establish the ND Cares Coalition. He also included $500,000 in his 2015-2017 executive budget to help expand the coalition’s work and fund its future initiatives.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, North Dakota National Guard Visual Information


encompasses many issues facing coalition stakeholders. “It’s hard to pin down if one need is more important than the

other, but I think there are issues that we as a state and a nation need to recognize and see what we can do to help resolve,” she said.

ND Cares has made significant gains despite having limited resources. An executive order signed by North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple in February officially established the ND Cares Coalition. He also included funds in his 2015-2017 executive budget to help expand the coalition’s work and fund its future initiatives.

The coalition has accomplished much of its legwork by exploring existing resources in North Dakota’s Department of Human Services’ eight human service center regions and networking with both private and public service providers there. The multi-county areas provide counseling and mental health services, substance abuse treatment and disability services for North Dakotans. Coalition members say working within these geographical constructs — which now are paired with the N.D. National Guard’s family support regions — will make it easier to reach the more than 56,770 North Dakota residents who identify themselves as veterans of the U.S. Military. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 American Community Survey, this group accounts for 11 percent of the state’s adult population.

“If our vision is a true network that supports service members, veterans, families and survivors, that can't happen until we get to the point of ‘common knowledge’ across North Dakota. Wherever in this state a hand reaches out for help, there must be a response,” Sprynczynatyk said.

Lt. Col. Warren Pauling, director of the N.D. National Guard’s Service Member and Family Support Division, sits on the ND Cares executive committee, which helps develop the strategic plan for the coalition. He said partnering with ND Cares has helped bolster access to his office’s services and resources for military members across the state.

“Being able to identify gaps and make programs more accessible by partnering with key leaders in our state helps tremendously in reaching out to our military families. Working within the coalition helps us to break down barriers and resolve issues by making them more visible at a higher level,” he said.

Ultimately, though, the coalition functions as a group of educators. Dalrymple said, to streamline access to military services and resources, ND Cares needs to be active in explaining the challenges military groups face to influential members of communities across the state, including law enforcement and clergy. That’s a huge undertaking, considering there are about 357 North Dakota communities, both large and small, the coalition hopes to reach.

“We’re getting there,” Dalrymple said.One of the ways the group has proposed making the subject

of service member support more visible is through a ND Cares community project. The vision is to have each of the state’s cities place an ND Cares road sign on main arteries running into their communities. The displays are intended to let the public know that North Dakota residents are committed to promoting a sanctuary of care and outreach for those who have served and their families.

“We want people to know that North Dakota is a welcoming place for our military, whether you served in World War II or are currently serving,” Dalrymple said. “My goal, and I think everyone else from within the group, is to have every city be an ND Cares city.”

It’s just one example of the hard work the coalition has charged itself with, but Sprynczynatyk said ND Cares members are up to the task.

“I am not only optimistic about the future of the coalition, I am excited about it,” Sprynczynatyk said. “Bringing service providers together, identifying gaps and working to meet the needs of service members, veterans, families and survivors is difficult and painstaking work, but the result just might be priceless.”

For the past several months, ND Cares Coalition members have been working hard to conduct a comprehensive assessment of military support needs, integrate existing programs and resources, and develop a leader network to support collaborative efforts. Some examples of the progress that has already been made include:

•MetwithadministratorsfromtheDepartmentofVeterans Affairs (VA) to determine methods for data sharing.

•Resolvedabarriertoservicesthatresultedfromaneligibility disconnect between regional Human Service Centers and the VA.

•NorthDakotaNationalGuardpersonnelareusingregional Human Service Center boundaries to define their areas of service.

•Providersaremoreinformedofavailablestateresourcesand connections to those resources are strengthening.

•CreatedtheNorthDakotaMilitary Data Book, which provides an overview of the services and programs available to service members, veterans, families and survivors. — Information from the North Dakota Governor’s Office


Master Sgt. Daniel Anderson, of Audubon, Minnesota, received the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Goddard Medal March 7 for his exemplary work in electrical power production career field. Anderson is a member of the Fargo-based 119th Civil Engineer Squadron, 119th Wing, and was presented the award during the North Dakota Air National Guard’s annual Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet at the Courtyard by Marriot in Moorhead, Minnesota.

According to the SAME website, the Goddard Medal is presented to U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen for outstanding contributions to military engineering,

including military troop construction, base maintenance and contingency

engineering. The medal first was awarded in 1973 and is named for Maj. Gen. Guy H. Goddard, who served as the director of civil engineering for the U.S. Air Force and also an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II.

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota

adjutant general, formally presented Anderson the award.As an instructor at the 119th

Regional Training Site (RTS) in Fargo, Anderson earned the Goddard Medal for his role as cost center manager, primary equipment manager and the lead contingency training instructor for the electrical power production career field. In 2014, he developed and conducted the first-ever Bear Power Unit (BPU) Mission Essential Equipment Training Course for the U.S. Air Force. The BPU is a technological leap from the traditional generators previously used to power a Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources base, more commonly known as a “tent city.” These facilities are used to house deployed service members and aircraft in locations

where little or no infrastructure exists. Anderson first was selected by the

U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Expeditionary Training Working Group in 2012 to be the instructor of a pilot unit in the electrical power production career field at the RTS. The Fargo pilot unit was selected for developing training on the new BPU high-power generator, which Anderson helped develop and implement. Anderson also travels to numerous contingency training sites to help implement, standardize and refine training.

In a memo to SAME nominating Anderson for the award, Col. Kent Olson, 119th Wing commander, wrote, “Master Sgt. Anderson is arguably the recognized expert in the power production career field in the Air Force. Since becoming the training instructor at the 119th Regional Training Site, he has become known across the nation as the go-to guy for power production. As the wing commander, I can attest to the high standards of character, integrity and quality of work to which Dan holds himself. He directly and intimately influences Active, Guard and Reserve ability to support missions worldwide.”

Anderson has been a member of the N.D. Air National Guard’s 119th Civil Engineer Squadron since April 1993. He is the son of retired Chief Master Sgt. Donald G. Anderson, also of the 119th Wing, and the late Joyce Anderson, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He resides in Audubon with his wife, Kristy; son, Carter; and daughter, Camryn.

Anderson works full-time at the N.D. Air National Guard’s Regional Training Site, which is one of five contingency training locations in the U.S. used by Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force personnel in the civil engineer career fields. Instructors at the site provide wartime mission training, as well as proficiency training on construction practices, utility support, emergency services, maintenance and repair of base infrastructure.

Story by Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen,Joint Force Headquarters

Photos by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing

Happy Hooligan Earns Prestigious Engineer Award


In the Eye of the StormDOMOPS Section Practices Emergency Response during Spring Tornado Exercise

If there were a “worst-case scenario” for a given situation, chances are Col. Dave Skalicky has thought of it, especially for state emergency response planning. As the exercise director for the N.D. National Guard Joint Force Headquarters’ Domestic Operations, or DOMOPS, section, he recently helped author a tornado emergency response exercise that challenged staff to navigate through a whirlwind of questions and “what-ifs” to exploit state partnerships for hypothetical recovery efforts.

About 45 Soldiers and Airmen from the DOMOPS section validated the N.D. National Guard’s emergency plans and the capabilities it can provide in a severe storm emergency Feb. 23-24 during the Operation Devil’s Breath exercise. Working with multiple state agencies, the Guardsmen provided command and control for the response from the Joint Operations Center at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, a nexus for information-sharing and personnel and equipment tracking during a domestic emergency.

The exercise aligned with the N.D. National Guard’s 2014-2019 Strategic Plan priorities. Specifically, it supported Goal No. 4 within the document, which tasks the organization to “forge and maintain partnerships.”

“Typically, the DOMOPS section has

trained for flood and blizzard responses. Both of those are somewhat predictable events. We have a fair amount of time to prepare for those occurrences, and we have a lot of real-world experience in responding to them,” Skalicky said. “With a tornado, we have to go from 0 to 100 miles per hour immediately to support local emergency managers. This exercise gives us the opportunity to assess our capabilities, strengthen dialogue with our partners and see how we can better help one another during this type of response.”

Some of the outside agencies participating in the exercise included North Dakota’s Department of Emergency Services, Department of Health and Department of Homeland Security. The exercise scenario saw the community of Devils Lake, North Dakota, in Ramsey County, devastated by an Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF3, tornado, which had a damage path about 4 miles long and 1 mile wide. The simulated storm affected more than 7,000 residents and destroyed more than 1,235 structures, including a hospital, elderly care center, airport and waste water facility.

“It’s always good to work with a variety of partners to see how things would play out given a particular circumstance. With this scenario, we saw some of our key assets

taken out,” said Kristen Nelsen, emergency manager for Ramsey County. “It made us think differently and opened our eyes to how you would respond if this was a real-life situation, and what other resources we would need obtain to put into place and save lives and property. There’s always something new you can learn through these exercises.”

February’s event was the first exercise of a long-range training plan, which is scheduled to culminate in summer 2017. The DOMOPS training concept is to gradually inject compounded emergency response capabilities by incorporating outside agencies through Emergency Management Assistance Compacts, or EMACs. An EMAC allows resources — whether personnel or equipment — to be used across state lines during emergencies or disasters. It’s a nationally-adopted and congressionally-ratified mutual aid compact in which states share responsibility.

The recent spring exercise also brought in another emergency response partner from the Utah National Guard. Known as a Homeland Response Force, the regional support agency is capable of assisting states by driving to the site of an event within 12 hours and providing casualty search and extraction, medical triage, decontamination and internal force protection.

Story by Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen, Joint Force HeadquartersPhotos by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, Joint Force Headquarters

Left, Maj. William Nels, operations specialist for the Joint Force Headquarters' Domestic Operations (DOMOPS) section, gives an update brief to North Dakota National Guard personnel Feb. 24 in the Joint Operations Center at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, North Dakota. About 45 Soldiers and Airmen from the DOMOPS section validated emergency response plans and capabilities during "Operation Devil's Breath," an exercise which mimicked the effect of a tornado blowing through Ramsey County in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Right, Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota deputy adjutant general, shares his thoughts with the DOMOPS section staff about what he observed during the exercise.


OUTSTANDING AIRMENThe North Dakota Air National

Guard, known as the “Happy Hooligans,” recognized the organization’s top noncommissioned officers and unit members of the year March 7 during its 2014 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet, which was held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Fifteen airmen were nominated for the award based on their military and civic service throughout 2014, with three winners walking away with the titles of Outstanding Airman of the Year, Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

The North Dakota Army National

Guard’s 188th Army Band provided entertainment during the banquet, and a number of distinguished guests, including Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, and senior North Dakota Air Guard leaders, rendered remarks.

“To be recognized as ‘best of the best’ among your peers in one of the most outstanding military units in the nation is a great accomplishment,” Sprynczynatyk said. “I salute each nominee for your extraordinary achievements, in and out of uniform.”

After his remarks, Sprynczynatyk and Air Guard senior leaders presented awards to Tech. Sgt. Wendi Gunderson and Master Sgt. Christopher Walberg. Gunderson was

named the Career Advisor of the Year for her individual efforts and achievement with unit retention and career motivation program management. Walberg was named First Sergeant of the Year, which recognizes the important contributions and leadership qualities exhibited by first sergeants in the Air Force.

The official award presentation followed, honoring the three Outstanding Airmen of the Year winners: Senior Airman Luke Knutson was named Outstanding Airman of the Year, Staff Sgt. Kellynn Fosse was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Master Sgt. Luke Gardiner was named Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

2014 Outstanding Airmen of the YearStory by Maj. Penny Ripperger, 119th WingPhotos by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing

Above: Col. Kent Olson, 119th Wing commander, shakes hands with the daughter of Master Sgt. Melissa Woodard, of the 119th Medical Group, as she stands in for her mother at the annual Outstanding Airman of the Year banquet March 7. Master Sgt. Woodard was one of five nominees for the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year award.

Right: Master Sgt. Luke Gardiner, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Brandi Grossman, of the 119th Security Forces Squadron, (who was standing in for Staff Sgt. Kellynn Fosse, also of the 119th Security Forces Squadron) and Senior Airman Luke Knutson, of the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron, receive their awards at the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Banquet.


OUTSTANDING AIRMENSenior Airman Luke Knutson

Knutson is an electrical power production journeyman with the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron in Fargo. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School and later attended Alexandria Tech, both in Minnesota, where he received an associate’s degree in computer programming. Knutson also has an associate’s degree in mechanical and electrical technology from the Community College of the Air Force. He was born and raised in Fergus Falls and currently lives there with his wife, Karen, and their infant son, Henry. Outside of the military, Knutson works

as an electrical technician at Knutson Electric.

Staff Sgt. Kellynn Fosse

Fosse is a full-time member of the 119th Security Forces Squadron in Fargo. She was born in Fargo and raised in Horace, North Dakota. Fosse graduated from West Fargo High School and later attended Lake Region College in Devils Lake, North Dakota, as well as Bismarck State College. Fosse currently lives in Horace with her son, Colten.

Master Sgt. Luke Gardiner

Gardiner is a squad leader with the 219th Security Forces Squadron in Minot, North Dakota. He was born and raised in Bismarck where he graduated from Bismarck High School. He later attended Bismarck State College where he obtained an associate’s degree in criminal justice. He also earned his bachelor ’s degree from the University of Mary in organizational leadership. Gardiner lives in Bismarck with his wife, Amanda. Outside of the military, Gardiner is a patrol sergeant for the Bismarck Police Department.


Moving Forward Together: That is the title of the recent training event I attended in Padova, Italy. The event was planned and hosted by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) chaplain’s office. The event brought together key people from his office (and his service components) to include U.S. Army Africa (USARAF), U.S. Air Force Africa (AFAFRICA) and U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF). The AFRICOM chaplain also invited African nation chaplains and the State Partnership Program (SPP) chaplains from five states. Those states and nations included the New York National Guard (South Africa), North Carolina National Guard (Botswana), California National Guard (Nigeria) and the North Dakota National Guard (Ghana). The Vermont National Guard was also in attendance, however, their partner country, Senegal, does not currently have a chaplaincy in place.

Why were we invited to attend this event? To help me answer the question, let me give you a bit of history regarding the N.D. National Guard and our chaplain state partnership engagements with Ghana.

The N.D. National Guard has conducted several events with our first SPP partner (and are looking forward to doing more engagements with our new SPP partners: Togo and Benin). The first event took place in 2006 when retired Chaplain (Col.) Bill Ziegler pioneered our first successful engagement. On this

engagement, Ziegler began building relationships with the Ghanaian Chaplain Corps, and discussed topics with them, such as crisis intervention and suicide awareness and prevention.

Since that time, we’ve conducted five more events with our Ghanaian counterparts. Topics presented have included: religious support in a combat and peacekeeping environment, pastoral care and counseling, unit ministry team support in the grief process, emotion cycle of support, solution focused therapy/family life counseling and combat operational stress control. One of these events was a familiarization event, or FAM, where we brought two chaplains from Ghana and one from Togo to North Dakota. During their time here, we were able to familiarize them with our state training facilities. We also shared with them how the chaplaincy in North Dakota functions and how we provide religious support to the Soldiers and Airmen in our charge.

Keep in mind that these were “engagements.” We shared in mutual conversation and learning from each other throughout each of these events. The Ghanaian Chaplain Corps is a very gifted and professional team of men and women. They deploy often in peacekeeping efforts and serve their country well. Thus, these “engagements” have been a fruitful time of mutual learning.

But remember, no event like this is done in a vacuum. The N.D. National

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHERBy Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Johnson,North Dakota National Guard Staff Chaplain

Top: Representatives from AFRICOM, USARAF, AFAFRICA, NAVAF, National Guard Bureau and SPP representatives from North Carolina, North Dakota, California and New York convened recently for a chaplain’s engagement in Padova, Italy.

Above: Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Johnson, North Dakota National Guard staff chaplain, worked with Chaplain Paul Adjei-Djan from Ghana, who is North Dakota’s partner chaplain through the SPP.

Contributed Photo


Guard SPP has been outstanding in providing support to all our (and our state’s) efforts in Ghana and, now, Togo and Benin. Col. David Skalicky, retired Col. Pete Conlin, Lt. Col. Brock Larson, Maj. Joe Faller, Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Greenstein and Lt. Col. Rusty Romans have done a great job setting us up for success. Without them and the vital work of our bi-lateral affairs officers (Lt. Col. Brent Naslund, Lt. Col. Mike Holly, Maj. Craig Hillig and Maj. Mark McEvers), we would not be successful. The N.D. National Guard truly can be thankful for this team of professionals and all of their efforts. It’s not an easy job!

Finally, command emphasis on chaplain support at the highest level also is an important aspect of our success between the N.D. National Guard and the Ghanaian Armed Forces. The adjutant

general and the chief of defense staff(s), Ghanaian Armed Forces, have discussed the importance of the chaplaincy within the military. As a result of these discussions, it was agreed that we would pursue these chaplain engagements between the two militaries.

So, back to the question I asked earlier: “Why were we invited to this event in Italy?” Besides the N.D. National Guard SPP team and Chaplain Corps (to include four Army and four Air chaplains that have been to Ghana), we have conducted three of our events with USARAF. We also have conducted one event with AFAFRICA. These service components all fall under the purview of AFRICOM. Thus, we don’t operate in a vacuum.

Our SPP office works with AFRICOM daily and makes all of this work. The training I attended was a further effort

in this regard for planning future chaplain-specific events. This event provided us the unique opportunity to assemble AFRICOM staff, African nation chaplains and their SPP chaplains to develop further understanding of common challenges, exchange views, establish and enhance interpersonal relationships and foster security cooperation. It also provided a venue to work through any issues that might impede our mission and a forum to build strong working relationships with one another.

During training, each functional area briefed what they do and discussed their respective engagements on the continent. We then worked with our partner nation chaplain (for me it was Chaplain Paul Adjei-Djan from Ghana) to discuss plans for the way ahead. Hence the title, “Moving Forward Together.”


119th Wing Says “Aloha” to a Successful Annual Training

After about nine hours in the air, a plane carrying more than 100 members of the 119th Wing touched down at Joint Base Pearl-Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii. There, the Airmen would spend March 7-21 fulfilling their annual training requirements while working at the Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), Schofield Barracks Health Clinic (SBHC), and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam ( JBPHH).

TAMC is the largest military hospital in the Asian and Pacific Rim region, and the only United Nations Peace Operations Institute in the U.S. It is home to the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations has designated the Center of Excellence as a Peace Operations Institute. The Center of Excellence engages in the training of peace operations skills to United States and foreign military personnel assigned to peacekeeping duties for the United Nations.

The 119th Wing Medical Group (MDG) was one of only five Air National Guard medical groups selected to perform their two-week annual training at TAMC this year as part of their overseas annual training, or OSAT. They were joined by Happy Hooligans in a number of career fields, including Airmen from the 119th Security Forces Squadron, 119th Services Flight and a unit ministry team. 119th MDG personnel got hands-on experience performing a variety of medical-related procedures, such as labor and delivery, emergency care, intensive care and family medicine. The Airmen said they were able to work easily with Army medics on base and felt that their integration into the TAMC was seamless.

“They (Army) embraced us,” said Staff Sgt Janessa Pittman, a medic with the 119th MDG. “We have similar practices in the medical field; it wasn’t hard to work together. It was very smooth.”

The deployment allowed each 119th MDG member to complete their training requirements for 2015. North Dakota’s flight doctors received flying time with both the Air Force and Army, which still is necessary training for them despite the 119th Wing no longer having manned aircraft.

“There’s a lot of valuable training with everything you do,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mike Anders, 119th MDG superintendent. “Many of our medics don’t do medical work outside of the Guard. Since we don’t have direct patient care (at home), it’s tough to keep them up on their readiness skills training. This is one of our only opportunities — when we get them into a big facility like this — to allow them to get the training they need. When they are doing those procedures, (that’s) when you see the smiles on their faces. They really get into it.”

While at TAMC, the 119th MDG had 1,067 patient encounters and performed 2,569 hours of service, which saved TAMC about $262,750.

“It’s always good to deploy with your unit. We don’t have many opportunities to do that anymore, so it’s always good to do that especially in a hospital. Then we get to use all of our skills. Everyone gets to use all their skills that we are trained to do in a hospital setting. It’s good to come together as a medical group and work together. Being deployed together you get to have that experience and that brings morale up and it’s a good time,” Pittman said.

Four 119th MDG Airmen received certificates of appreciation for their hard work and dedication. The recipients were 1st Lt. Chad Brooks, 1st Lt. Dustin Czapiewski, Tech. Sgt. Jesse Moch and Staff Sgt. Janessa Pittman.

The 119th Security Forces also worked on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during the annual training event. They worked search pits, entry control points, patrol cars and provided security for a USO concert. While working with Navy police, the North Dakota Guardsmen learned how a joint base operates.

“It was interesting to see how they (Air Force) operate (during) joint base operations with the Navy and how their policies and procedures are different from ours,” said Staff Sgt. Kellynn Fosse, 119th Security Forces member and this year’s Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for the North Dakota Air Guard. “I think the only challenge that anybody ever has when you have to do a joint base is identifying rank. Everybody has rank

Top: Members of the 119th Medical Group and the 119th Security Forces Squadron board a C-135 aircraft March 7 heading to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. Above: Lt. Col. Glenn Shamdas, a 119th Medical Group flight doctor, participates in water survival refresher training March 12 at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. Shamdas is seated in a Coast Guard rescue basket used to retrieve personnel from the ocean.

Photo by Capt. Joshua Breding, 119th WingBy Spc. Kristin Berg,116th Public Affairs Detachment

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Bradly Schneider, 119th Wing


Why did you join the North Dakota Army National Guard? Everybody enlists for a different reason — the experience, family tradition, adventure, or maybe the benefits. What about friendship? Was your decision influenced by a friend? Maybe your friend joined they National Guard because they were influenced by you.

In an organization that values the importance of relationships, specifically “battle buddy” relationships, Guardsmen are being rewarded for their recruiting efforts. Through the availability of state funds, the N.D. National Guard is offering a $750 bonus to Soldiers each time a referred friend, or “Guardian Friend,” enlists in the organization.

“The objective of the Guardian Friend program is to encourage Guardsmen to invite friends and family to come to a drill weekend to show them what drill weekends with their units are like,” said Maj. Dan Murphy, executive officer for the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. “It’s a unique way to initiate conversation with people who you want to see in our ranks, and to explain to them the benefits of being a member of the North Dakota National Guard.”

The program is expected to run until June 30, 2015, pending the availability of funds. For more information, call Staff Sgt. John Sayler, strength maintenance noncommissioned officer, at 701-333-3056.

Note: The Air National Guard has a similar recruiting incentive program called “Bring a Friend to Drill,” which allows traditional National Guard members to earn $750 for referring new enlistees. For more information, call 701-451-2238 or visit www.GoANG.com.

Soldiers Benefit from State Incentive ProgramGuardian Friends

GUARDIANSPOTLIGHT

By Sgt. Jennifer Joyce116th Public Affairs Detachment

in different locations, so I think just knowing the uniforms.” Chaplain (Capt.) Dellas Herbel and Tech. Sgt. Jarrett

Permann, a chaplain’s assistant, took advantage of their training opportunities, as well. They were briefed on joint Navy-Air Force relations. They saw office structure and tasking procedures and visited and counseled patients at the TAMC. During training, they were the only Air Force chaplains at the TAMC.

“We have worked closely with Chaplain (Maj.) Gale Cotton (with the TAMC) and it has been such a great opportunity,” Herbel said. “We were able to provide services to the post/pre-op and surgical wing patients. Air Force chaplains are very rare, so this was a very unique and special experience having the opportunity to provide services to the different branches of service. We are planning to stay in touch with Chaplain Cotton and implement ideas we learned from the Bible study services here.”

Members of the 119th Services Flight worked in the TAMC kitchen where they made and served approximately 1,200 breakfasts, 800 lunches and 600 patient trays each day.

“The volume that they (airmen that worked in the kitchen) saw versus a typical Guard drill was a nice learning experience,” said Senior Master Sgt. Dave Mehus, 119th Services Flight superintendent.

Members had minimal time off, but got a chance to explore some of the sites March 14, including Dole Plantation, Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor. The 119th Security Forces Squadron personnel also received a VIP tour around the island.

Maj. Don Gunhus, an optometrist with the 119th Medical Group, performs an eye exam on Lt. Col. Lynette Schmidt, also of the 119th Medical Group, March 16 while training at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.

Photo by Senior Airman Skyler Moderow, 119th Wing


ARMY @ WorkGUARDIANSnapshotsVisit www.flickr.com/photos/ndguard/.

See More, and Download Photos!

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, Joint Force Headquarters


ARMY @ WorkPhotos by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel Skager, N.D. National Guard Visual Information

Soldiers took part in unit training assemblies across North Dakota in February. Here we see Soldiers hard at work Feb. 8 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck. (Clockwise, from top left) Spc. David Kline performs maintenance on a vehicle at the Field Maintenance Shop in Minot. Sgt. Ezra Koch, of the State Medical Detachment, prepares a soldier’s arm for a blood draw during annual periodic health assessments. Pfc. Joshua Hedstrom repacks part of his sleeping gear during an annual equipment inventory. Sgt. Daniel Reese performs maintenance on an M-16 rifle. Staff Sgt. Sara Marchus, of the 116th Public Affairs Detachment, waits for the perfect photo opportunity during a promotion ceremony. Col. Robert Fode, left, addresses a group of civilians, students and Soldiers during suicide prevention training. Sgt. Kerry Thompson, left, of the State Medical Detachment, performs an eye exam on Sgt. Ryan Greicar during annual PHAs.


Contributed photo

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, Joint Force Headquarters

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple last month signed a proclamation designating March 2015 “Women Veterans Month.” North Dakota’s veteran population includes more than 6,000 women.

Sgt. Justin Stenerson, of the 3662nd Maintenance Company, secures a spare tire to the undercarriage of a vehicle last month at the Field Maintenance Shop in Minot, North Dakota, during the unit’s annual training.

Submit your photos to be consideredfor inclusion in the N.D. Guardian!

Email high-resolution photosto Sgt. Jennifer Joyce, N.D. Guardian

editor, at [email protected].

Share your photos!

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th WIng

Photo by Maj. Donavan Blazek, Joint Force Headquarters Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th WIng

Members of the N.D. National Guard Biathlon Team, from left, Sgt. Jordan Becker, 1st Lt. Blake Hillerson, Sgt. Brandon Pulst, Capt. Robert Meland and Tech Sgt. Danelle Card placed fourth overall in the 40th Annual Chief, National Guard Burea Biathlon Championships last month at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont.

Senior Airman Devon Brekke, of the 119th Maintenance Squadron, participates in a fitness challenge Feb. 22 in Fargo, North Dakota, to raise awareness for veterans’ causes. Brekke organized the fund raising event at a local gym.

Senior Airman Trent Obrien and Senior Airman Alex Sprunk, both of 219th Security Forces Squadron, try on their new operational camouflage pattern (OCP) multicam uniforms Feb. 8 during the unit training assembly at the Minot Air Force Base, Minot, North Dakota. The OCP multicam uniform is being issued to the security forces personnel working in the missile fields because it has been deemed as a more effective camouflage pattern, which better matches the terrain of North Dakota than the Airman Battle Uniform. www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 19

FITNESSFITNESSGUARDIAN

In General Carl von Clausewitz’s book, “On War,” Chapter 1 is titled, “What is War?” He defines it as “an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfill our will.” Some may agree with that definition, others may not. War is a simple word with complex meaning.

Near to it in the dictionary — but not so much in meaning — wellness is another simple word with complex meaning. What is wellness and why is it important? The North Dakota National Guard places a strong emphasis on wellness as it aligns with one of its strategic goals: to strengthen the National Guard community. Under this goal, the organization strives to foster resilient and healthy Soldiers, Airmen, families and civilian employees by embracing a culture of total fitness.

Last month, the N.D. National Guard recognized outstanding Airmen and Soldiers during two separate events. Each Soldier and Airmen was nominated for various factors. Among them is their dedication toward wellness. Below, three of the nominees provide insight as to how they incorporate wellness into their life.

On WellnessVon Clausewitz also stated that, “the

result of war is never absolute ... it does not consist of a single instantaneous blow” and “war is never an isolated act.” The same goes for wellness. Living well is a journey — it doesn’t happen all at once — and it is a conglomeration of activities and grows stronger with support. When Soldiers and Airmen make it a point to incorporate wellness into their lives, they are contributing to the organization’s goal of strengthening the National Guard community and setting examples of personal and professional excellence.

Staff Sgt. Kellynn Fosse, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, North Dakota Air National Guard:

I enjoy weight training and complete cardio routines, as well as going to family fit classes with my son. Outside of the gym, I like to bike with my son and run with my dog. I try to teach my son that physical activity is important for your body and mind.

I feel that physical activity is extremely important. Since I have struggled with weight in the past, I feel that physical fitness is one way to help keep me more aware of the issue. It’s important for me to participate in these activities because they keep me prepared for the Physical Fitness Test, they reduce stress, they keep me motivated and my commitment to physical activity ensures that I remain ready for deployment.

Capt. Jay G. Sheldon, Outstanding Company Grade Officer, National Guard Association of North Dakota:

Most of my wellness activities are connected to my kids’ activities and doing things with family (walks, bike rides, yard/drive-way games, etc.). My goal is to perform other cardio and strength exercises three to four days each week. Basketball is another activity I strive to do two to three days a week.

I do it to spend time with my family, and I am trying to set a good example for kids, hoping that they will learn and enjoy lifelong activities. Secondly, I want to set a good example for those whom I am assigned to lead in the N.D. National Guard. Lastly, it provides a social opportunity to establish new and/or maintain ongoing relationships.

Maj. Daniel M. Murphy, Outstanding Field Grade Officer, National Guard Association of North Dakota:

There is an assortment of activities I participate in and, as I have gotten older, a mix of activities seems to be the key. I play basketball at the armory, serve as an official for basketball in the winter, run with my wife, bike and try to bike to work most of the summer, swim, play racquetball, golf, go to spin classes in the winter, and do activities in the outdoors in the fall. I have also done a few sprint triathlons and run 5-10Ks, as I can find the time. Diversity keeps me active.

I like the social aspect of sports, they keep you accountable and motivated. Running with my wife gives us uninterrupted time to visit and catch up on things, and I officiate mostly with my son and daughter in the winter and enjoy the time spent with them on the basketball court. Trying new things, to me, has been the motivation to stay active.

By 1st Lt. Cathy Peterson,A Battery, 1-188th Air Defense Artillery


NewsBriefs

During a season of organizational change, a number of North Dakota Army National Guard units have received new commanders. The 164th Regional Training Institute (RTI), the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) and the 136th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion (CSSB) all welcomed new leadership this past month.

Col. Jackie Huber assumed command of the 164th RTI from outgoing commander Col. Leo Ryan March 7 during a ceremony held at the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, North Dakota. Col. Robert Fode, commander of the N.D. National Guard’s Army component, presided over the ceremony.

“Col. Ryan has successfully led this dynamic organization which continues to set high standards within the U.S. Army education community,” Fode said during the ceremony. “We welcome Col. Huber and challenge her to continue to provide the outstanding Soldiers of the 164th RTI the great leadership that they deserve”.

Huber, who serves full-time as the N.D. National Guard’s human resources officer, enlisted in 1989 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the University of North Dakota’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in 1992. She

deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm with the 191st Military Police Company in 1990 and for Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 142nd Engineer Battalion in 2003. Huber has also served with the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 68th Troop Command, Joint Force Headquarters and 164th Engineer Battalion. She resides in Bismarck with her husband, Lane, and their three children.

Ryan enlisted in the N.D. Army National Guard in 1985 as a bridge crew member with the 957th Engineer Company. In 1992, he earned an officer’s commission through Officer Candidate School. He deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 with the 132nd Quartermaster Company and for Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 164th Engineer Battalion in 2007. Ryan previously has served with the 188th Air Defense Artillery, 34th Engineer Brigade and 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and recently commanded the 164th Regional Training Institute. He also is an owner and practicing attorney of Dalsted and Ryan, P.C., with offices in Jamestown and Carrington. He resides in Spiritwood Lake with his wife, Lynette.

Ryan assumed command of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade from Col. Jerry Anderson during a change of command ceremony held March 15 at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Fargo.

N.D. Army National Guard UnitsWelcome New Commanders

“Col. Jerry Anderson’s time as commander was marked with many successes,” Fode said. “He is ready to assume his duties as our chief of staff and I wish him good fortune on his next assignment.”

Anderson, a native of Williston, North Dakota, served as the full-time N.D. Army National Guard state aviation officer and recently was appointed as the N.D. Army National Guard’s chief of staff. He started his military career in 1991 as a second lieutenant with the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served on active-duty status until joining the N.D. Army National Guard in 2003. He deployed to Kosovo as a deputy operations officer with the 141st MEB for an international peacekeeping mission in 2009. Anderson has also served the N.D. Guard with the 1-112th Aviation Battalion and the Joint Force Headquarters. He resides in Bismarck with his wife, Kristi, and their three children.

Lt. Col. Davina French, who serves full-time as the Guard’s government affairs officer, took command of the 136th CSSB from outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Daryl Roerick March 13 at the Camp Grafton Training Center.

A native of Auburn, Washington, French entered the military in 1989 as a movement control specialist with the Washington National Guard’s 1444th Transportation Detachment. She commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1993. Before transferring to the N.D. National Guard in 1997, French deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1990 with the 1444th Transportation Detachment. She deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 with the 957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) and to Kosovo with the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade for an international peacekeeping mission in 2009. She previously has served the N.D. Guard full time as an organization development officer, a state transportation officer, a technician training officer and a recruiting and retention operations officer. French resides in Bismarck.

Photo by Spc. Jessica Bilquist, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

Col. Robert Fode, Army land component commander, passes the colors of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to the incoming commander, Col. Leo Ryan, March 15 at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Fargo, North Dakota.


NewsBriefs

81st Civil Support Team Receives State Unit Award

Camp Grafton Recognizedfor Water Safety Compliance

North Dakota Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk presents the North Dakota National Guard’s State Outstanding Unit Citation to the 81st Civil Support Team March 13 at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, North Dakota.

About a month prior to celebrating its tenth year as a full-time emergency response unit for the state of North Dakota, the 81st Civil Support Team (81st CST) was awarded the North Dakota National Guard’s State Outstanding Unit Citation. The two-dozen Soldiers and Airmen who comprise the unit received the distinction during a formal award ceremony today at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck.

“It truly is a privilege to present you with this honor; a testimony to the 81st CST’s excellence and professionalism,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, who presented the award to the unit. “You have continually demonstrated stellar performance in both exercises and real-world missions. This unit is a highly-valued resource to our communities and is a key asset for protecting and supporting the citizens of North Dakota.”

The State Outstanding Unit Citation recognizes individual units and its assigned military personnel for their contributions towards the improvement of combat readiness and unit preparedness. It is awarded to all service members of the unit and authorizes them to permanently wear the decoration on their military dress uniforms.

“This citation serves as reminder to the new members of our team about the high standards and hard work that came before. As we reenter the evaluation cycle, we will continue to strive to protect the reputation of this outstanding organization,” said Lt. Col. Steven Hedrick, 81st CST commander.

The 81st CST garnered the recognition for their exceptional performance during a National Guard Bureau Standardization Evaluation and Assistance Team (SEAT) evaluation conducted in April 2011, when it received a 99 percent compliance rating. The biennial evaluation requires examination of the eight functional requirements of CST members: personnel, medical, training and operations, logistics, physical security, safety, budget and communications.

In addition to its SEAT evaluation score, the 81st CST earned praise during its Training Proficiency Evaluation for November 2012. Administered by U.S. Army North’s (USARNORTH) Charlie Division, Civil Support Training Activity, the evaluation tests the CSTs capabilities and assess the unit on a number of tasks, including establishing secure communications, maintaining an operations center, conducting technical decontamination, establishing medical support, identifying agents and conducting interagency coordination. CSTs nationwide are required to gain certification from USARNORTH every 18 months. The North Dakota unit was recognized as 100 percent “trained” during the evaluation in 2012 and again last year in May 2014.

On standby around the clock and capable of responding within 90 minutes, CSTs are highly-specialized units that are trained and equipped to assist civilian first responders when reacting to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive agents. The 81st CST regularly trains with local, state and federal agencies during emergency response training exercises. The unit also has an accomplished record providing real-world support to civil authorities in

North Dakota. In July 2014, the 81st CST conducted an air sample mission to identify potentially hazardous agents in Williston, North Dakota. The unit responded after a warehouse, which stored dozens of chemicals, started on fire at the site of an oil field supply company.

The 81st CST will continue to provide support at local and national venues in the coming months, including assisting other CSTs at the Boston Marathon in April, NASCAR in Kansas in May and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota in August.

Nationally, there are 57 CSTs — one in each state, U.S. territory and Washington, D.C.; with two each in California, Florida and New York.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller,Joint Force Headquarters

Camp Gilbert C. Grafton, near Devils Lake, North Dakota, last month was awarded the Safe Drinking Water Act Certificate of Achievement from the North Dakota Department of Health.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which was passed by Congress in 1974, aims to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking (potable) water supplies. The N.D. Department of Health awards the certificate of achievement to recognize

the public water systems that satisfied all applicable requirements during the previous calendar year.

“The recognition received from the N.D. Department of Health really shows our dedication, not only to being in compliance with the regulations, but to providing the best service possible to our customers and the Soldiers and Airmen who use Camp Grafton Training Center,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Herda, the environmental program manager for the N.D. National Guard.

According to the N.D. Department of Health, maintaining compliance with the

SDWA can be challenging when changes to the act are introduced. Camp Crafton staff was able to meet all requirements under the SDWA for the 2014 calendar year.

“You might not think about it when you turn on the water, but there are many people out there working to make sure that the water you are about to drink meets all the applicable standards,” Herda said.

Camp Grafton employees responsible for maintaining the water system are Bradley Larson, Terry Eisenzimmer, Rodney Heisler and Thomas Bertsch.


Chaplains’ Corner:

In the Army, we’ve heard a lot about resiliency giving one the ability to bounce back after personal strain, stress, loss and grief. During resiliency training, I kept thinking of a verse from the Bible: “If you are with us who can be against us?”

As a chaplain serving in the North Dakota National Guard, I am mindful of the challenges and sacrifices that it takes to be a part of the National Guard (and the balance required of citizen-Soldiers). But, despite these challenges, can there be a benefit? It is a question that we as citizen-Soldiers most ask ourselves from time to time, to ensure a balance within family life and military duty.

Take time to answer both questions: “If you are with us, who can be against us?” and “How do I balance the challenges that come with wearing this uniform?”

I know that when I break down and feel pain, God has given me a team to lean upon. I know that, as part of a team, their

strength becomes my strength and my strength becomes their strength. Having faith in God and/or faith in a team does not excuse us from pain, challenges and fears, but we stand stronger together instead of alone.

Despite what popular media or pop-culture says, this life is not about being an individual — we are no longer the “Army of One.” But the heart and strength of resiliency is having faith in God, family, team, and community, and that faith gives us the confidence to endure challenges together. Together we are “Army Strong.”

Blessings,

Chaplain (Capt.) Justin Fenger 231st Brigade Support Battailion

We are Army StrongTOGETHERTO G ETHER

By Chaplain (Capt.) Justin Fenger, 231st Brigade Support Battailion

Chaplain (Capt.) Justin Fenger (center, facing the camera), of the 231st Brigade Support Battalion, steps up to share a few words with North Dakota National Guard Soldiers at Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, North Dakota. (Contributed photo)


SoundOff!

Members of the 188th Army Band perform during a Freedom Saulte ceremony for the 818th Medical Company (Area Support) Feb. 8 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck. The event celebrated the medics’ successful yearlong deployment to Afghanistan from which the unit returned home in November 2014. The mission of the 188th Army Band is to provide music throughout the full spectrum of military operations and to instill in Soldiers the will to fight and win, to foster the support of citizens, to promote national interests at home and abroad, and to entertain audiences

Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel Skager, N.D. National Guard Visual Information

Musical Ambassadors

ndguardian march - april 2015

Documents