News
BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s 81st Civil Support Team (CST) welcomed a new commander today at the National Guard’s headquarters at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck.
Maj. Shawn A. Markovic assumed duties as commander from Lt. Col. Pat R. Flanagan who has led the CST since January 2020. Col. Paul Helten, commander, 68th Troop Command, presided over the change of command ceremony.
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that represents the formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another. The event is witnessed by members of the unit, as well as other military members, families and friends.
BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard is assisting local flood mitigation efforts by placing one-ton sandbags by helicopter this afternoon near White Earth, North Dakota east of Tioga. At the request of the Mountrail County emergency manager, the Guard diverted one UH-60 Black Hawk from today’s scheduled training at Kimball Bottoms south of Bismarck to assist the local community.
“Expanding our training to two sites is a win-win scenario,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general. “In addition to assisting one of our communities, simultaneous missions provides excellent training for our operations personnel commanding and controlling aircraft in multiple locations. We will also gain experience working with community members who fill and stage these large sandbags.”
The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is emplacing one-ton sandbags to block an interior drainage culvert, preventing further inundation of the town of White Earth.
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, 2nd Battalion, 245th 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, 2nd 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 2nd 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 957th 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) 81st 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 81st CST was requested to assist in the identification of these unknown substances.
Ten members of the 81st 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 178th Attack Squadron, of the North Dakota Air National Guard (NDANG), was recently recognized with the General Atomics Remotely Piloted Aircraft Trophy for 2021.
The 178th 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.