News

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.

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 22ndtime during a ceremony at their Fargo base on March 6.

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general, placed the award on the 119^th Wing’s colors, commending the Hooligan Airmen for their exceptional service and mission accomplishment.

FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota Air National Guard, nicknamed the “Happy Hooligans”, recognized the organization’s top enlisted Airmen of the year on March 6, during its 2020 Airman of Year recognition ceremony. The event was held at North Dakota Air National Guard Base Fargo, N.D.

Airmen were nominated for the awards based on their military and community service throughout 2020. Awards were presented for Outstanding Airman of the Year; Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year; and Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Additional recognition was presented for Unit Career Advisor of the Year and First Sergeant of the Year.

FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119^th Wing, known as the “Happy Hooligans”, welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony held at the Air National Guard base in Fargo, on March 6, 2021.

Col. Darrin Anderson relinquished command to Col. Mitch Johnson. Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, presided over the ceremony.

FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard presented Tech. Sgt. Ryan Fontaine The Woodrow W. Keeble “Je Suis Pret” (I am Ready) Award during a presentation ceremony at North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., March 6, 2021.

Fontaine, of the Minot Air Force Base-based 219^th Security Forces Squadron, earned the Keeble award for his participation in the rescue of 91 year-old Dolores Paulson. Paulson was trapped in an ambulance that slid off U.S. Highway 83 and sinking in a frozen pond the night of Nov. 28, 2019.

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 Grand Forks-based 1^st Battalion, 188^th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188^th ADA) would leave for duty in the National Capitol Region (NCR) early- to mid-summer 2021.

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.”