North Dakota Air National Guard Named Top Flying Unit at NGAUS Conference

U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Domitrovich, commander, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, receives the Spaatz Trophy from (left) retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, NGAUS vice chair-Air, and (right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randy Efferson, the acting director of the Air National Guard, at the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 31, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Domitrovich, commander, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, receives the Spaatz Trophy from (left) retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, NGAUS vice chair-Air, and (right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randy Efferson, the acting director of the Air National Guard, at the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 31, 2026.

  Indianapolis, Ind. — The North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing, also known as the Happy Hooligans, were honored with multiple awards at the 148th annual National Guard Association of the United States Conference and Exhibition held August 28-31, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The 119th Wing was awarded the Air National Guard Spaatz Trophy, presented in honor of Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. The award is presented annually to the top flying unit in the Air National Guard and recognizes overall excellence and combat readiness. This marks the fourth time 119th Wing has earned this prestigious honor, winning in 1950, 2020, and 2022.

"The Spaatz Trophy is a testament to the amazing efforts of our Airmen and their commitment to performing at a high level every day," said U.S. Air Force. Col. Christopher Domitrovich, 119th Wing commander. "The standard of excellence that our Airmen bring to every aspect of our mission is what makes the North Dakota Air National Guard one of the most capable and mission-ready units in the nation.”

U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Teigen, commander, 119th Operations Group, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, receives the William W. Spruance Safety Award from (left) retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, NGAUS vice chair-Air, and (right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randy Efferson, the acting director of the Air National Guard, at the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 31, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Teigen, commander, 119th Operations Group, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, receives the William W. Spruance Safety Award from (left) retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, NGAUS vice chair-Air, and (right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randy Efferson, the acting director of the Air National Guard, at the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 31, 2026.

In addition to the Spaatz Trophy, the Wing earned the Winston P. Wilson Trophy, awarded to the top Air National Guard flying unit equipped with fighter or reconnaissance aircraft. The Hooligans also earned the William W. Spruance Safety Award, recognizing the unit that contributed most significantly to accident prevention throughout the year and the John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy, presented annually to the two flying units that demonstrate the highest standards of flight safety.

“These awards are the result of the 119th Wing's culture of excellence,” said U.S Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general. “The men and women of the 119th Wing consistently prove that they are ready and able to perform when their nation or state call upon them and add to the impressive legacy of excellence of the North Dakota Air National Guard.”

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The North Dakota National Guard is a trained and highly motivated force of about 4,000 Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen.  We are always prepared to provide ready units, individuals, and equipment in support of our communities, state, and nation.

Always ready, always there.

U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Teigen, commander, 119th Operations Group, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, receives the Maj. Gen. John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy from (left) retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, NGAUS vice chair-Air, and (right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randy Efferson, the acting director of the Air National Guard, at the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 31, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Teigen, commander, 119th Operations Group, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, receives the Maj. Gen. John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy from (left) retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, NGAUS vice chair-Air, and (right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randy Efferson, the acting director of the Air National Guard, at the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 31, 2026.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Teigen, commander, 119th Operations Group, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, receives the Winston P. Wilson Trophy from (left) retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, NGAUS vice chair-Air, and (right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randy Efferson, the acting director of the Air National Guard, at the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 31, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Teigen, commander, 119th Operations Group, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, receives the Winston P. Wilson Trophy from (left) retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, NGAUS vice chair-Air, and (right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randy Efferson, the acting director of the Air National Guard, at the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 31, 2026.