News

FARGO, N.D. — The 178^th Attack Squadron, of the North Dakota Air National Guard (NDANG), was recently recognized with the General Atomics Remotely Piloted Aircraft Trophy for 2021. 

The 178^th is the first Air National Guard (ANG) unit to earn this prestigious award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) squadron in the U.S. Air Force. However, this is not the first time the Happy Hooligans have been recognized as the best U.S. Air Force squadron in their primary flying mission. 

The Hooligans were similarly recognized in 2009 when the 177th Airlift Squadron received the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center (JOSAC) Squadron of the Year award in the U.S. Air Force small aircraft category, while operating the C-21 Lear Jet.

Bismarck, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s 81st Civil Support Team (CST) will conduct a joint training exercise with the staff at the Bismarck Water Treatment Facility Center on Friday, Sept. 23. The purpose of the exercise is to practice and test the capabilities of the team to respond to a hazardous materials event as well as to partner with local government entities. The exercise is expected to start at about 9:00 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m.

The CST will conduct a survey of the building and a sampling mission in full HAZMAT (hazardous materials) suits to collect a sample and analyze it in their mobile laboratory.

Follow-on missions will include searching the facility for additional devices and determining the extent of the simulated contamination. The exercise is an opportunity for the CST to test their decontamination procedures and communications equipment. Optimal time for media to report on the training is from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Grand Forks, N.D. — An audience of about 600 family members, friends, and fellow National Guard members gathered to welcome home about 225 North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers, Sept. 18, 2022, on the campus of the University of North Dakota. The ceremony recognized the accomplishments of the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th) and thanked the Families and employers for their support during their recent mission to the National Capital Region.

These Soldiers were mobilized from June 2021 to July 2022, where they collaborated with other Department of Defense agencies in protecting the airspace around the Washington, D.C. area, contributing to Operation Noble Eagle.

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota National Guard Soldiers Col. Todd Schaffer, Col. Brian Keller, Maj. Annie Gerhardt, and Maj. Waylon Tomac were recognized for their exceptional and selfless actions in response to a medical emergency. They were recently presented with the North Dakota National Guard’s The Woodrow W. Keeble “Je Suis Pret” (I am Ready) Award in Bismarck, Sept. 11, 2022.

The four Soldiers took immediate action when Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, North Dakota Army Component commander, collapsed due to sudden cardiac arrest during a military ceremony at Bismarck’s Raymond J. Bohn armory on April 9, 2022. Their lifesaving measures, which included cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), were critical in Erickson’s survival and subsequent full recovery.

Grand Forks, N.D. — About 225 North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment will be honored at a welcome home ceremony at 2 p.m., Sept. 18, 2022, on the campus of the University of North Dakota.

The event is open to the public. Livestream available at the North Dakota National Guard website.

These Soldiers were mobilized to the National Capital Region from June 2021 to July 2022, where they collaborated with other Department of Defense agencies in protecting the airspace around the Washington, D.C. area.

Fargo, N.D. — An estimated audience of over 1,200 family members, friends, and fellow National Guard members gathered to honor about 155 Soldiers assigned to the Fargo-based 191st Military Police (MP) Company at the Fargo Civic Center on Sept. 14, 2022.

The unit will deploy overseas for about year in support of U.S. Central Command’s area of operations and is led by Capt. Nathan Johnson and 1st Sgt. Jeremy Gowan.

Gov. Doug Burgum, commander in chief of the North Dakota National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general, addressed the Soldiers and Families during the ceremony.

Fargo, N.D. — The North Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) will present the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award to Gate City Bank, Sept. 14. A recognition ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at the Swiontek Center, Fargo, N.D.

Scheduled to render remarks are, Gov. Doug Burgum and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general. Also scheduled to speak are Kevin Hanson, president and CEO of Gate City Bank; Steve Swiontek, Chair of the Board for Gate City Bank; and Delton Steele, state chair for North Dakota ESGR. The award will be presented by Steele and Dave Johnston, the Vice Chair for the North Dakota ESGR.

Fargo, N.D. — About 155 North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fargo-based 191st Military Police (MP) Company will be honored at a sendoff ceremony at 2 p.m., Sept. 14, 2022, at the Fargo Civic Center, Fargo, North Dakota. Alerted for possible deployment last March, the Soldiers are deploying overseas for a yearlong mission in support of U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) Operation Spartan Shield.

The unit is led by Capt. Nathan Johnson and 1st Sgt. Jeremy Gowan. Soldiers in the unit hail from more than 35 communities across North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum and the North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann are scheduled to address the Soldiers and their Families. The event is open to the public. Livestream available at the North Dakota National Guard website.

BISMARCK, N.D. — Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general, issued the following statement on the death of a North Dakota National Guard Soldier, Staff Sgt. Cody Cox of West Fargo, North Dakota.

“Our North Dakota National Guard family mourns the recent passing of one of our Soldiers over the weekend,” said Dohrmann. “We will always honor and remember Cody’s commitment to our organization, state and nation. On behalf of all of the men and women of the North Dakota National Guard, I offer our sincere condolences and sympathy to his wife, Samantha, as well as Cody’s entire family and friends during this time of grief.”

Cox, 30, who passed away of natural causes on Sept. 4, 2022, enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 2011 as a LAN manager with the Fargo-based 426^th Signal Company. He was promoted to staff sergeant April 22, 2022 and was assigned as the secure communications manager for the 141^st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. He was also a full-time North Dakota National Guard employee in Fargo working as a network help desk technician. His wife is also a member of the North Dakota National Guard.

MANDAN, N.D. — The North Dakota Veterans Cemetery will host a ceremony in observance of its 30^th anniversary on Aug. 31, 2022. The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. (Central Time) at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 6.5 miles south of Mandan on North Dakota Highway 1806. The public and media are invited.

Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs due to limited seating. Handicap-marked vehicles are encouraged to arrive before 12:15 p.m. Drivers should ensure handicap credentials and decals are readily visible to parking attendants. 

Scheduled to render remarks are Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Kevin Cramer, the Honorable Matthew T. Quinn, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general. The keynote speaker is retired Maj. Gen. Alexander P. Macdonald, who was the adjutant general when the cemetery was dedicated. The master of ceremonies will be Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard historian, who also presided over the dedication ceremony on Aug. 30, 1992.