Airmen of the Minot-based 219th Security Forces Squadron move through training smoke as they advance into position during force-on-force training at the MOUT (military operations in urban terrain) village at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, N.D. on July 16, 2020. From left, Airman 1st Class Wyatt Becker, Senior Airman Noelle Kurowski and Senior Airman Seth LaBodda (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)
Combat Engineer Breaching Instruction
The 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute (164th RTI) at Camp Grafton Training Center, is the only installation outside of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri that hosts Advanced (ALC) and Senior Leadership Courses (SLC) for U.S. Army Combat Engineer (MOS 12B) non-commissioned officers. The final portion of the 12B ALC course teaches students how to breach buildings with a variety of explosive charges. (U.S. Army National Guard story, photos and video by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland)
An instructor observes as students place a charge on a rooftop during a 12B ALC training at Camp Grafton Training Center on July 19.
Combat engineer students detonate a water impulse charge to breach a steel door during a 12B ALC course at Camp Grafton Training Center on July 19.
Hooligan Security Forces Conduct Annual Training
The 219th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) conducted weapons proficiency and force-on-force training during their annual training at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) on July 13-16, 2020. They trained at the MOUT (military operations in urban terrain) village which provides a setting for realistic training scenarios. Airmen practiced entering, clearing and securing buildings using simulation ammunition that's similar to paintball rounds. The 219th SFS members also conducted marksmanship training at the weapons range at the CGTC south training area, an annual requirement for their career field. (U.S. Air National Guard Story and photos by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)
From left to right: 219th Security Forces Squadron members Airman 1st Class Wyatt Becker, Senior Airman Noelle Kurowski and Senior Airman Seth LaBodda move through training smoke as they advance into position during force-on-force training at the MOUT (military operations in urban terrain) village at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake on July 16.
Senior Leaders Visit "The Deuce" at Camp Dodge
N.D. Maintenance Soldiers Train in Iowa
Soldiers of the Automotive Mechanic section of the 3662nd Support Maintenance Company, received excellent performance oriented training during the unit's two weeks annual training at the Sustainment Training Center (STC) located at the Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center in Johnston, Iowa. The Soldiers completed various training tasks which included mechanical preventative maintenance and repair of military vehicles on July 16, 2020. (Story and photos by Sgt. Jacques Junior Chapusette)
UPAR Corner: 3662nd Support Maintenance Company
(Video by Sgt. Jacques Junior Chapusette)
N.D. Air Guard Family of the Year
The N.D. Air National Guard selected Staff Sgt. Jessica Harper and Staff Sgt. Sarah Harper, both of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, as their Family of the Year during a ceremony at Minot Air Force Base on July 17. 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. Staff Sgt. Sarah Harper has been a full-time AGR (Active Guard Reserve) member of the unit since 2015. Staff Sgt. Jessica Harper, a member of the Minot Police Department, recently joined the unit as a drill status member last May. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)
188th Army Band Conducts Annual Training
The Fargo-based 188th Army Band recently executed an extremely busy and productive annual training period from July 13 to 26, 2020. Activities included rehearsals, concert performances, physical training and an ORE (Operational Readiness Evaluation). The ORE was evaluated by three inspectors from the Army National Guard band staff. The 188th Army Band passed their inspection and did very well in their performances. (U.S. Army National Guard photos and story by Sgt. Taryn Benton, 188th Army Band)
Staff Sgt. Lynne Krug, Sgt. 1st Class Justen Reed, and Sgt. Kacie Beatch sing “God Bless America” during the Arts in the Parks summer concert series in Minot, N.D. on July 19, 2020.
From left, Staff Sgt. Leah Brooks, Staff Sgt. Lynne Krug and Sgt. Kacie Beatch sing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” during a concert in Berthold, N.D. on July 18, 2020.
The 188th Army Band’s marching band rehearses on July 17, in the parking lot of the Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center in preparation for their Operational Readiness Evaluation. The drum major leading the band is 1st Sgt. Brian Tucker.
The 188th Army Band's ensemble, Flashbang, performs “Highway to Hell” featuring Sgt. Kacie Beatch, center, during the Operational Readiness Evaluation on July 21, 2020 in Fargo.
Camp Homefront 2020
Due to COVID-19, the N.D. National Guard’s Child and Youth Program has not had any activities since March. With the help of Col. Warren Pauling the group developed a virtual camp called Camp Homefront 2020, a four-day camp in a box to be used from each child's home August 10 - 13. The N.D. National Guard’s Military Teen Council decided the contents and activities to place in each box. The Camp will also feature online training on a vast amount of life issues. Members of the council assembled 100 boxes for the event at the Raymond J. Bohn armory on July 13. (Story and photos by Mandy Malo, N.D. National Guard Child and Youth Coordinator)
COVID-19 Testing Bismarck
The N.D. National Guard assisted with COVID-19 mobile testing site at the Bismarck Event Center in Bismarck, N.D. on July 21, 2020. The mission is a part of our ongoing support to state and local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brett Miller, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Spc. Carter Strand, right, 816th Military Police Company, works as data collector alongside members of Burleigh County Public Health at the COVID-19 mobile testing site at the Bismarck Event Center in Bismarck on July 21.
Sgt. Daniel Hampton, 816th Military Police Company, works as a data collector alongside members of Burleigh County Public Health at the COVID-19 mobile testing site at the Bismarck Event Center in Bismarck, N.D. on July 21.
COVID-19 Testing Belcourt
The N.D. National Guard continues to support our state and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mobile testing site was set at the Sky Dancer Casino and Resort in Belcourt, N.D. on July 16, 2020. (U.S. Army National Guard Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brett Miller, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
COVID-19 Testing Dickinson
COVID-19 Testing Valley City
N.D. National Guard Retiree Advisory Board Meeting
Members of the N.D. National Guard (NDNG) Retiree Advisory Board (RAB) met at Fraine Barracks on July 17. The RAB, chaired by the deputy adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, is chartered by the NDNG, and staffed by volunteers state-wide. Its purpose is to advise, assist and provide counsel to the senior leaders of the NDNG, and serve as a mechanism for the Adjutant General to communicate and exchange ideas with retirees and former members of the Guard. The RAB also plans and executes the Retirees' reunion held annually on the first weekend after Labor Day at the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake. This year's reunion will be virtual due to COVID-19 concerns. Information on how to watch this year's on-line presentation will be announced later. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland)
The RAB has partitioned North Dakota into eight regions, each with its own volunteer liaison representative. Regional representatives are responsible for organizing, coordinating and facilitating regional meetings for retirees and serve as the region's point of contact. The RAB is looking for two volunteers to represent regions 3 (Devils Late) and region 4 (Grand Forks). To volunteer, or for more information about the RAB, please call 701-333-2004.
Diversity and Inclusion Working Group Meet
The N.D. National Guard (NDNG) Diversity and Inclusion working group was developed to provide analysis and feedback to the NDNG Diversity and Inclusion Executive Committee on concerns and unique challenges faced by service members within the organization. These candid and critical conversations serve as an avenue to support the free exchange of ideas, approaches and lessons learned aimed at foresting a heightened awareness of diversity and inclusion across all levels of our organization. The primary topic of this week's discussion was how new requirements for non-U.S. citizens earning citizenship through military service may affect Guard members within our organization. (U.S. N.D. National Guard story by Msg. Myron L. Huber)
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