Top photo: Brig. Gen. Darrin Anderson, N.D. National Guard assistant adjutant general for Air, presents the Meritorious Service Medal to Chief Master Sgt. Duane Kangas, the N.D. Air National Guard state command chief, during his retirement ceremony at the Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Dec. 4, 2021. (National Guard photo by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
North Dakota National Guard 2021 Year in Review
(National Guard video by Master Sgt. Mike Knodle, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Hooligan Command Chief Retires
The N.D. Air National Guard bid farewell to its senior enlisted leader, Chief Master Sgt. Duane “Dewey” Kangas, by honoring him with a retirement ceremony at the National Guard airbase in Fargo, Dec. 4, 2021. Brig. Gen. Darrin Anderson, N.D. National Guard assistant adjutant general for air, presided over the ceremony. (National Guard story and photos by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
In honor of his service and achievements during his 36-year career, Anderson presented Kangas the Meritorious Service Medal.
“Representing the 119th as Command Chief was rewarding and humbling, and the great men and women of the Wing made the job a lot easier as they kept winning outstanding unit award after outstanding unit award,” said Kangas during his remarks. “It’s been a great ride and I want you to know you are like a second family to me, and I love you all.”
Chief Master Sgt. Duane “Dewey” Kangas.
Kangas, a native of Pine River, Minnesota, began his career when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in September 1984. He completed technical training at Chanute Air Force Base, Ill., in March 1985 and served on active duty as an aerospace ground equipment mechanic until 1988. Kangas joined the N.D. Air National Guard in 1989 cross-training to become an F-16 aircraft maintenance phase inspector in 2000. In 2002, he was chosen for a quality assurance position, capitalizing on his many years of experience as an aircraft maintenance technician. In 2006, Kangas was selected as the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant, a position that saw him deploy to five foreign countries in four years. In 2010, he was chosen as the 119th Mission Support Group first sergeant, and in 2011, he was selected as the 119th Wing first sergeant. Prior to his role as state command chief, Kangas served as the 119th Wing command chief from 2016 until 2020.
Brigadier General Darrin Anderson, N.D. National Guard assistant adjutant general for Air, left, presents the certificate of retirement to Chief Master Sgt. Duane Kangas, the N.D. Air National Guard state command chief, Fargo, N.D., Dec. 4.
Wing Commander Awarded Legion of Merit
Brigadier General Darrin Anderson, N.D. National Guard assistant adjutant general for Air, awarded the Legion of Merit to Col. Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander, for exceptionally meritorious service while serving as the Wing's vice commander and the 119th Operations Group commander. The award was presented at the Air National Guard Base in Fargo, N.D., Dec. 4, during the Wing's weekend drill. (National Guard story and photo by Chief Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The award citation cites Johnson’s achievements from July 2018 to March 2021. During this period, he oversaw the 119th Operations Group’s sustained support to combatant commanders while modernizing and advancing training capabilities and innovative processes across the MQ-9 enterprise. Also during this period, the 119th Wing was recognized with its 21st and 22nd Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.
MEB IDT
The Headquarters and Support Company (HSC), 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) conducted their inactive duty training (IDT) at the Fargo Readiness Center, Dec. 3 to Dec. 5, 2021. The unit completed Soldier tasks over the weekend, such as the periodic health assessment, weapons maintenance, unit risk inventory assessments, and professional development. (National Guard story by Cadet Morgan Hovde, photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
The leaders of the 141st MEB take advantage of opportunities to show appreciation of their Soldiers' outstanding efforts. Capt. David Betz, 2nd Lt. Sarah DiDonna, and Spc. Leah Thompson were awarded the N.D. National Guard State Achievement Ribbon. Staff Sgt. Douglas Vickmarck was awarded the N.D. National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon. Master Sgt. Warren Braaten was awarded an Army Achievement Medal.
The 141st MEB also bid farewell to Master Sgt. Wade Muscha and his family for over 20 years of service during his retirement ceremony on Saturday. The weekend closed out with Jonathan Fankhanel's promotion to major.
Master Sgt. Wade Muscha, left, Provost Marshall non-commissioned officer in charge, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, reports to Captain Tyler Morrow, commander, Headquarters and Support Company, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, one final time during his retirement ceremony, Fargo, Dec. 5, 2021.
Hooligan Holiday Meal
In keeping with Happy Hooligan tradition, senior leaders of the N.D. Air National Guard served the 119th Wing's holiday meal during the December Unit Training Assembly at the Air National Guard Base, Fargo N.D., Dec. 5, 2021. (National Guard story and photo by Tech. Sgt. Nathanael Baardson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Professional Development
Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard Historian, briefed the full-time force during professional development training, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Dec. 8, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
During the briefing, which was livestreamed across the N.D. National Guard, she discussed the importance of preserving National Guard history through photographs, videos and historical artifacts. Olgeirson's presentation also featured examples of how to identify items that should be preserved and inquiries directed at the history office. For more information call 701-333-2016.
Promotion to Top
Jeremy Gowan, Joint Force Headquarters, was promoted to master sergeant during a ceremony, Oct. 4, 2021, at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, N.D. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Hooligans Excel at Global Strike Challenge
Air Force Global Strike Command announced the winners of Global Strike Challenge 2021 at the multi-month competition’s capstone event, Barksdale Air Force Base, Dec.(Story by U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs)
Airmen of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., won the Best Security Forces Marksmanship Trophy, while two Hooligans earned top individual honors.
Best M320 Shooter: Airman 1st Class Thaddeus Moore, 219th Security Forces Squadron, 119th Wing. (Photo by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing)
Congratulations to our Defenders of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, 119th Wing, who won multiple awards at this year's Global Strike Challenge. Events like this offer healthy competition allowing Airmen to build relationships through trust and communication. (Posted on the Director of Air National Guard's Facebook page, Dec. 9, 2021)
Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile operations and maintenance, helicopter operations and security forces competition with units from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard participating.
For more information: Global Strike Challenge '21 announces 'Best of the Best'.
APPRECIATION
After this month's professional development, Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, recognized Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael "Mick" Fetch and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Darcy Schwind for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the N.D. National Guard at Raymond J. Bohn armory, Dec. 8, 2021. Huber presented them with recognition coins. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Fetch was recognized for his detail oriented and solid duty performance spanning 41 years, while serving in various capacities, most notably as the USPFO (U.S. Property and Fiscal Office) warehouse foreman and USPFO commercial traffic manager. According to his leadership, Fetch personified professionalism, dedication, and service to the Soldiers of this organization leaving a lasting legacy on the N.D. National Guard.
Schwind was singled out for her outstanding support in managing the equipment request to support medical training for the 319th Medical Group at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Her eagerness and willingness to help greatly contributed to successful training in support of the medics assigned to the air force base.
Hooligan Religious Support Team Spreads Holiday Cheer
During the November unit training assembly for members of the 119th Wing, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James Cheney and Tech. Sgt. Joshua Bartholomew, chaplain assistant, prepared candy canes with a written message to hand out during a candy cane blitz held on Dec. 4 at the Air National Guard Base in Fargo, N.D., during the Wing's weekend drill. (National Guard story by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The candy canes were distributed by chaplains and chaplain affairs Airmen during the December unit training assembly to help spread holiday cheer, facilitate and support Airmen’s rights to worship, and inform them of available religious services.
“The basis of what we do comes from the first amendment. Everyone has the right to free practice of religion,” said Bartholomew.
Technical Sergeant Joshua Bartholomew, chaplain assistant, 119th Wing, prepares candy canes at the Air National Guard Base, Fargo N.D., Dec. 4, 2021. (National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Jecca Geffre, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The Religious Support Team strives to make Airmen aware of available worship services and chaplain office resources.
“The candy cane blitz is an opportunity for us to get out to every shop on base, let them know who we are, and that we are here for them. It’s a way for us to let Airmen know what services are available to them,” said Cheney.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James Cheney, left, hands a candy cane to Senior Master Sgt. Wade Swenson, N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo N.D., Dec. 4, 2021. (National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Christa Anderson, 119th Wing)
Shelly Sizer Appointed CASA for North Dakota
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 help our Soldiers when they transition out of the military.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Shelly Sizer retired from the North Dakota Army National Guard after 40 years of service. In her final assignment, she served as the North Dakota Army National Guard’s command chief warrant officer from 2014 until her retirement in 2018. For more information: Secretary of the Army appoints nine new civilian aides.
North Dakota National Guard Foundation Meets
The N.D. National Guard Foundation (NDNGF) met at Fraine Barracks, Dec. 8, 2021. (National Guard story and photo by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The foundation, chaired by Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard, is comprised of about 16 volunteers. This diverse body consists of currently serving Guard members, retired Guard members and civilians. During this meeting, the foundation planned their 2022 budget and discussed funding opportunities.
The NDNGF is a non-profit organization that supports military members and their dependents by providing financial assistance through the Emergency Relief Fund (ERF), providing support to the NDNG Service Members, Families, Veteran and Survivor Programs (SMFVS), the foundation promotes patriotism by providing the general public with information and education about the mission and function of the National Guard and the Armed Forces, the foundation also supports military heritage.
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