News

FARGO, N.D. — Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general, issued this statement regarding the death of a North Dakota National Guard Airman, 2^nd Lt. Christopher Brewer.

“On behalf of the Airmen and Soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard, we offer our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of 2^nd Lt. Christopher Brewer”, said Dohrmann. “A true patriot, Christopher was the epitome of a citizen-Airmen, serving his nation in uniform and his community as a teacher.”

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol statement issued yesterday, Brewer was killed on Jan. 22 in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 52 north of Velva, North Dakota.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The Soldiers and families of the North Dakota National Guard’s Bismarck-based 957^th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) will be formally honored with a welcome home ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8 at the Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck. The public and media are invited.

The Guard members will be recognized for their year-long service in support of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) mission along the southwest border. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command and Joint Task Force North, the 957th Engineer Company’s mission was to assist the CBP by providing detection and monitoring support.  This mission enhancing support enabled CBP agents to conduct their law enforcement mission more efficiently.  About 125 Guard Soldiers served on this mission.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s Bismarck-based 957^th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge) is redeploying from its year-long role in support of the Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) mission along the southwest border. Today about 70 of the 120 Soldiers on the mission were welcomed home via charter flight at the Bismarck Airport. 

Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command and Joint Task Force North, the 957th Engineer Company’s mission was to assist the CBP by providing detection and surveillance support.

“The highly trained members of the 957th Engineer Company served with courage, skill and professionalism as they supported efforts to secure the southwest border, and we are deeply grateful for their service and their safe return,” said Gov. Doug Burgum, commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National Guard. “The North Dakota National Guard continues to play a critical role in border security, working to address illegal immigration, stop drug and human trafficking and ensure the safe and efficient flow of goods and services for the benefit of all Americans.” 

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard will honor three senior non-commissioned officers while observing changes in leadership on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck. The public and media are invited.

At 11 a.m. Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard, will preside over a change of responsibility ceremony for the Guard’s senior enlisted leader (SEL) position. Relinquishing duties is Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock who’s served in the position since January 2019. Assuming these duties is Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson who will become the North Dakota National Guard’s fifth SEL.

Later that day at 2 p.m., Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, commander, N.D. Army National Guard, will preside over a second change of responsibility ceremony in which Binstock will assume the duties of the state command sergeant major (SCSM) from Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck. Heck, the 11th SCSM, who has served in this full-time position since December 2019, will be recognized at a retirement ceremony at 3 p.m.

The change of responsibility ceremonies will be livestreamed from the North Dakota National Guard’s homepage.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND) will host a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing with the North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) Office of the Adjutant General (OTAG), today, at 3 p.m. at the North Dakota Heritage Center on the state capitol grounds.

The purpose of the memorandum of agreement is to establish an official partnership and cooperative effort for creating a North Dakota military museum. Signing the MOA on behalf of the SHSND is Dr. Bill Peterson, director, SHSND. The OTAG will be represented by Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general.

The intent of the museum is to preserve and honor the rich military history of North Dakota.

Media is invited to cover this event.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s (NDNG) 81^st Civil Support Team (CST) responded today to a request for assistance from the Williston Police Department. The request came through the Williams County emergency manager to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services at approximately 6 p.m., Oct. 12.

On Oct. 10, the Williston Police Department discovered explosive materials and other unknown substances in an occupied apartment. The 81^st CST was requested to assist in the identification of these unknown substances.

Ten members of the 81^st CST traveled from their home base in Bismarck to Williston early this morning to render assistance to the incident commander. The CST’s capability includes the ability to analyze both quantitative and qualitative materials to include solids, powders, pastes, gels and liquids as well as a mobile analytical laboratory system, which has identification capabilities of biological, chemical and toxin compounds.

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.

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. — 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. — 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.