News

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s Company C, 2^nd Battalion, 285^th Aviation Regiment will conduct one-ton sandbag training on Wednesday, April 12, and Sunday, April 16, in the vicinity of Kimball Bottoms near the Missouri River, south of Bismarck. This training will include all of the tasks involved in placing one-ton sandbags by Black Hawk helicopters and will occur in the parking area near the boat ramp. These large sandbags are used to block water and slow erosion during emergency flood response operations.

The use of one-ton sandbags in emergency response was last used on May 3, 2022, when Gov. Doug Burgum authorized the N.D. National Guard to assist in stabilization efforts on the Bourbanis Dam at the request of the Pembina County emergency manager. These large sandbags were also used during the Guard’s 2009 flood response and in Minot during 2011 flooding.

BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota Army National Guard unit has received an alert for possible mobilization. If ordered to mobilize, the Bismarck-based Detachment 7, Company C, 2^nd Battalion, 245^th Aviation Regiment would deploy to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of operations sometime late summer 2023.

If ordered to mobilize, about six Soldiers are expected to be deployed about one year. The unit operates a C-12 Huron aircraft which provides transportation of personnel and light cargo.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The 2023 North Dakota Governor’s Military Ball was held on Saturday, March 18 at the Radisson Inn in downtown Bismarck. About 220 North Dakota National Guard members, spouses, friends and other civilian guests attended this formal event.

The formal portion of the program included remarks by Gov. Doug Burgum, commander in chief of the North Dakota National Guard, and presentation of awards.

“The incredible work that is being done, both here and abroad, by our North Dakota National Guard doesn’t go unnoticed,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. “We’re grateful that night after night, day after day, the call to duty by this group and our communities across the state who support them has always been met, and met at the highest level.”

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota Air National Guard bid farewell to Brig. Gen. Robert Schulte, during a retirement ceremony in his honor, March 5, at the Air National Guard Base in Fargo.

“Brig. Gen. Bob Schulte has faithfully served our state and country for three decades, and we are incredibly grateful,” said Gov. Doug Burgum, commander in chief of the North Dakota National Guard. “We honor and salute his dedicated work and leadership which has improved the lives of North Dakotans and contributed to the security of our citizens, state and nation. Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller and First Lady Kathryn Burgum join me in wishing him continued success in his future endeavors.”

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, presided over the ceremony witnessed by family, friends and fellow Happy Hooligans.

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota Air National Guard’s (NDANG), 119th Wing, known as the “Happy Hooligans,” recognized the organization’s top officers, noncommissioned officers and Airmen of the Year on March 4, during a ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn, Fargo, N.D.

Airmen were nominated for the awards based on their military and civic service throughout 2022. The Outstanding Airman Program annually recognizes officers and enlisted members for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement, and personal achievements.

“We are extremely proud of these Airmen and their continued dedication to excellence and service to our state and nation,” said Col. Mitch R. Johnson, 119th Wing commander. “Their contributions to the NDANG ensure that the Happy Hooligans’ outstanding reputation is maintained and enhanced throughout the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense.”

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 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’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.