News

MANDAN, N.D. — The 2021 Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at noon Monday, May 31, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 6.5 miles south of Mandan on North Dakota Highway 1806. This annual event, hosted by the North Dakota National Guard, honors all deceased American servicemen and women and is free to the public. This year’s theme is “Korean War – Never Forgotten.

Participants are asked to observe COVID-19 precautions and arrive early due to anticipated large crowds and motorcycle honor run. Lawn chairs are encouraged due to limited seating and attendees are encouraged to sit with family members and friends in clusters while practicing social distancing.

WARRENTON, Ore. North Dakota Army National Guard Sgt. Brandon Wendland, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), took top honors in the noncommissioned officer (NCO) category for the Region VI Best Warrior Competition (BWC) 2021 at Camp Rilea, Oregon, May 4-7, 2021.

Wendland of Fargo, earned the honor to represent North Dakota by winning the state BWC in August 2020 held at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, North Dakota. Corporal Andrew Doss of Grand Forks, a member of the 191st Military Police Company, finished third in Soldier category.

FARGO, N.D. — Brig. Gen. Darrin K. Anderson became the newest North Dakota National Guard general officer today during a promotion ceremony at the Air National Guard Base, Fargo which was live streamed. With this promotion to general officer, Anderson assumes the duties of the North Dakota National Guard assistant adjutant general for Air from Brig. Gen. Todd M. Branden, who was honored during a retirement ceremony.

Anderson previously served as the commander of the 119^th Wing, nicknamed the “Happy Hooligans” from August 2018 to March 2021, while Branden has been the assistant adjutant general for Air since October 2017.

 Bismarck, N.D. - The last North Dakota National Guard World War II (WWII) Soldier known to be residing in North Dakota died in Bowman on April 3, just weeks shy of his 97^th birthday. Douglas P, “Doug” Burtell, who served in the famed 164^th Infantry Regiment, was the last original member of the unit residing in North Dakota.

Burtell was only 16 years old when he joined the North Dakota National Guard in Fargo in late 1940. Assigned to the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Section of the Infantry Regiment he was trained to interpret aerial photographs, draw maps base

d on reconnaissance patrols, and analyze captured materials.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard presented awards recognizing individuals for a myriad of achievements

at their recent Joint Leaders Conference in Bismarck, March 19. The awards ceremony that kicked off the conference was live streamed from the North Dakota Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck.

The conference began with remarks conducted virtually by Gov. Doug Burgum.

"From fulfilling critical missions around to the world to playing an essential role in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic – now the largest and longest domestic response in the organization’s history – the North Dakota National Guard is truly ‘Always Ready, Always There’ because of the unwavering courage and commitment of its leaders and members and the incredible support of its community stakeholders. All deserve our deepest gratitude and recognition for their outstanding efforts and leadership,” Burgum said.

BISMARCK, N.D. — Today the North Dakota National Guard marks its one-year anniversary of COVID-19 response operations in support of state and community health agencies. The first North Dakota Guard members were activated for COVID-19 duty on March 16, 2020.

The ongoing COVID-19 support mission is the largest and longest state mobilization in North Dakota history. On Nov. 19, 2020, the North Dakota National Guard logged 67,495 personnel-days surpassing the previous record of 67,264 personnel-days recorded during response efforts in support of 2011 state-wide flooding. As of March 15, the North Guard National Guard has logged 97,914 personnel-days of support in this mission.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The N.D. National Guard and the Nueta Hidasta Sahnish College (NHSC), New Town, N.D., are pleased to announce that NHSC students who are members of the N.D. National Guard, are eligible for state tuition assistance.

Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, and Dr. Twyla Baker, president, NHSC signed a formal memorandum of agreement to that effect on Feb. 16, at the college.

BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota Army National Guard unit has received an alert for possible mobilization. If ordered to mobilize the Devils Lake-based 835^th Engineer Utilities Detachment would deploy to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTOM) area of operations mid to late summer 2021.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The N.D. National Guard adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann announced additional support to the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Approximately 130 Soldiers from the 816th Military Police Company will join 20 previously scheduled N.D. Guard members in support of the 59th presidential inauguration. The unit is headquartered in Dickinson, N.D., with a detachment in Bismarck.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard adjutant general announced force structure changes affecting the Williston-based 818^th Engineer Company (SAPPER).

“The National Guard Bureau is adjusting Army engineer force structure nation-wide,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general. “What this means for North Dakota is the eventual transfer of the 818^th Engineer Company to another state. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have N.D. National Guard presence in the city. We are committed to a long-term unit presence in Williston.”