News

DEL RIO, Texas – North Dakota Army National Guardsmen rescued migrants from drowning while crossing the Rio Grande on March 22, 2022.

Specialists Luis Alvarado and Gracin Clem are assigned to Joint Task Force North, Task Force Legion in Del Rio, Texas, and were conducting Mobile Surveillance Camera (MSC) site operations for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in support of the federal southwest border mission when the Soldiers observed five migrants attempting to cross the Rio Grande River.

The migrants were halfway across the river but struggled to stay above water due to strong currents and high winds. Alvarado, fluent in Spanish, attempted to shout instructions to the migrants on how to cross the river safely.

BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota Army National Guard unit has received an alert for possible mobilization. If ordered to mobilize, the Fargo-based 191^st Military Police Company would deploy to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of operations sometime late summer 2022.

The unit is headquartered in Fargo with a detachment in Grand Forks. If mobilized, about 155 Soldiers are expected to be deployed about one year.

 FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing, known as the Happy Hooligans, formally accepted the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) for the 23rd time during a ceremony at Hector Air Base, Fargo, N.D., on March 5. The ceremony also included recognition of the Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

The AFOUA is awarded by the secretary of the U.S. Air Force to numbered units of the active duty Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement, including successful involvement with combat operations or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force.

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — Maj. Brett Nelson received the Meritorious Service Medal on Feb. 11, 2022. The award recognizes Nelson’s outstanding achievements between Oct. 1, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2021.  Specifically, during his assignments as the executive officer for the Fargo-based 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and as the range officer for the Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake.   

The award was presented by Col. Russ Wolf, commander of the 164th Regional Training Institute, during a brief ceremony at Camp Grafton Training Center.

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota National Guard officer Jon Erickson was promoted to brigadier general today at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck during a ceremony witnessed by family, friends and fellow Guard members. The North Dakota adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, presided over the ceremony.

Promotions to general officer rank are reserved for only the highest leadership positions within the U.S. Army. Erickson, who assumed command of the North Dakota National Guard’s Land Component Command on Nov. 20, has served on active duty and in the National Guard for over 27 years.

Reference: U.S. Army Public Affairs Release Secretary of the Army appoints nine new civilian aides

BISMARCK, N.D. — On Nov. 16, the U.S. Army appointed nine new Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) during an investiture ceremony at the Pentagon.

Among these CASA appointees was Shelly Sizer for the state of North Dakota. She replaces Connie Sprynczynatyk, who has served in this position since 2011. Sprynczynatyk was named Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army emerita in recognition of a decade of service. 

According to the U.S. Army, CASAs are business and community leaders appointed by the Secretary to advise and support Army leaders across the country. They promote good relations between the Army and the public, advise the Secretary about regional issues, support the total Army workforce, and assist with recruiting and helping our Soldiers as they transition out of the military.

FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota Air National Guard bid farewell to its senior enlisted leader Saturday, Dec. 4, as Chief Master Sgt. Duane “Dewey” Kangas retired during a ceremony at the base in Fargo. Brig. Gen. Darrin Anderson, North Dakota National Guard assistant adjutant general for air, presided over the ceremony.

“A person like Dewey bounces from different jobs always in search of personal and professional growth,” said Anderson during his remarks. “The career path he took was much more than timing, much more than being the right person at the right place and time – you have to work at that – and it really fed into his ability to lead in a senior leadership position with the North Dakota Air National Guard.”

The outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, has led over 3,000 N.D. Guard Soldiers of since Sept. 2018. Col. Jon Erickson assumed command of the Land Component Command during the ceremony.

BISMARCK, N.D. — Major General Al Dohrmann, adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard, issued the following statement on the passing of retired Brig. Gen. Al Palmer, Tuesday, Nov. 16.

“We are deeply saddened by news about our friend and colleague Brig. Gen. Al Palmer,” said Dohrmann. “Al exemplified the concept of a Citizen-Airman, serving in the National Guard for three decades. His quiet dignity and sound leadership continually inspired confidence in the Guard members that served alongside him. He was an Airmen for life, continuing to serve his community and state after his retirement from the National Guard. From serving on the Grand Forks base retention and military affairs committees, to serving Christmas dinner to Soldiers and Airmen, to being a driving force behind the construction of the Grand Forks Veterans Memorial park, Al set an example for all of us to follow.”

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard will conduct a blizzard response exercise at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, Saturday, Nov. 20. The Guard regularly conducts emergency response exercise scenarios to validate and refine statewide plans and capabilities.

About 20 Soldiers and Airmen from the National Guard’s Domestic Operations Section will work from the organization’s Joint Operations Center (JOC) exercising command and control for military response resources during the hypothetical blizzard response. The JOC serves as a nexus for information sharing, mission assignments, as well as personnel and equipment tracking during domestic emergency responses.