News

By Mrs. Pamela Helbing-Schafer, Director North Dakota Veterans Cemetery

The N.D. Veteran's Cemetery was established by an act of the 1989 N.D. Legislative Assembly. The cemetery was opened in 1992, and is operated by the office of the adjutant general of North Dakota. It is located 6.5 miles south of Mandan on Highway 1806 on a 70 acre tract of land near Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. This cemetery is dedicated to the men and women who have served this state and nation with distinction and honor. Today interments of military members and their dependents number 9,522. Of these 69% are male and 31% are female. Solders lead interments with 3,942 (62%) followed by Sailors 1,315 (21%), Airmen 732 (12%), Marines 349 (5%), and members of the Coast Guard 24 (less than 1%). According to the director, Pam Helbling-Schafer, the cemetery has enough space available for the next 23 years.

By Mr. Robert E. Roehrich, NDNG Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager

Greetings to those who wear the uniform, past and present, and to those who serve and have served in a civilian capacity for our organization, all family members, and all the extended family and friends of the N.D. National Guard. So far, 2020 has been a roller coaster ride that will be branded into our memories as a defining period of time. Soon we will ask each other questions like where you were “when the Twin Towers fell on 911”, or “the assassination of President Kennedy?” from COVID-19, completely revolutionizing how we do business in the NDNG. From civil unrest and racial tensions within our country, we have been challenged to re-evaluate the way we operate our day-to-day business. We also took a deep look at our internal messaging and inclusion strategies. Though we’d like to think that we are flawless in many areas, it is simply impossible to be perfect all the time. However, we are always looking for opportunities to improve our organization for those we serve.

by Sgt. Jacques Junior Chapusette, 3662 Support Maintenance Company

The 3662nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC), nicknamed the "Deuce" is a one of a kind specialized maintenance unit assigned to the N.D. Army National Guard. The Deuce is comprised of a diverse mix of many different MOS’s. Sections include auto mechanic, armament and electronics, ground support equipment tech and a maintenance control team, all with unique and specialized capabilities.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s Bismarck-based 1^st Battalion, 112^th Aviation Regiment will partner with the McLean County Sheriff’s Office in a joint exercise Aug. 10-12.

Both agencies remind the public to be aware of the training activities, since there will be increased vehicle and helicopter traffic during these exercises. The public’s cooperation and understanding is appreciated.

BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota National Guard's 957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) will be conducting field training exercises this week in the Kimball Bottoms area near the Missouri River, south of Bismarck.

The N.D. National Guard reminds the public to be aware of the training activities and to use extreme caution when in the area, since there will be increased vehicle and boat traffic during unit training operations. The public's cooperation and understanding is appreciated.

For the safety of the public, the off-road vehicle area known as the Desert, will be closed to the public from 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6 through 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard will partner with several civilian agencies state-wide next week in a joint exercise called Vigilant Guard. The exercise will take place Aug. 3 - 6 in several areas across the state. The North Dakota National Guard regularly conducts emergency response exercise scenarios to help develop, validate, and refine plans and capabilities. This helps ensure its ability to support real-world disaster and emergency operations for our state and communities particularly in supporting response efforts such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

CAMP GRAFTON TRAINING CENTER, N.D. — Soldiers of the Fargo-based Battery C (Charlie), 1^st Battalion, 188^th Air   Defense Artillery Regiment were formally presented the 2019 Hamilton Award on July 27 at the N.D. National Guard’s Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake. This award is presented annually by the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery (ADA) branch to the ADA battery that has demonstrated exceptional achievement and mission accomplishment through the course of the year.

MINOT, N.D. — The North Dakota Air National Guard recently named Airmen Staff Sgt. Jessica Harper and Staff Sgt. Sarah Harper, as Family of the Year during a ceremony at Minot Air Force Base on July 17.

Both Airmen are assigned to the 219th Security Forces Squadron. Based at Minot Air Force Based This unit is a part of the Fargo-based 119^th Wing, nicknamed the “Happy Hooligans”. They earned this recognition for their volunteer and morale-building efforts within the 219th Security Forces Squadron over the past year, as well as their contributions within the local community. Both are heavily involved in supporting animal rescue and serve as volunteer coaches for area youth sports.

A North Dakota Army National Guard unit has received an alert for possible mobilization. If ordered to mobilize, the Bismarck-based Company C, 2^nd Battalion, 285^th Aviation Regiment, would deploy to the National Capital Region (NCR) area of operations late in 2020.

United States Army War College Hometown News Release

By Elena Patton

Chaplain (Col.) David L. Johnson, North Dakota Army National Guard, graduated from the United States Army War College at Carlisle, Pa. with a master's degree in Strategic Studies on June 5, 2020.