Top photo: U.S. Air National Guard service members from the 119th Wing proceed through a simulated decontamination station at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo N.D., Feb. 6, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nathanael Baardson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
Hooligans Maintain Readiness Amidst Pandemic
In addition to the persistent emphasis placed on strict COVID-19 mitigation measures, the Happy Hooligans of the 119th Wing continue to conduct their normal operations and training during regularly scheduled drills (RSD) and annual training periods. (U.S. Air National Guard story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Nathanael Baardson, 119th Wing Public Affairs)
The 119th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency management office is responsible for ensuring chemical biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense training is accomplished by all deployable unit members. CBRN training facilitates proficiency in responding to an all-hazards environment to include chemical warfare.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Craig Akerstrom, 119th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron, leads a class on mission oriented protective posture gear at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo N.D., Feb. 6, 2021.
The training is required every two years and is reinforced at the 119th Wing during regularly scheduled drills throughout the year. This is the most effective manner of training so that Airmen are provided the skills and tools allowing them to survive and operate in a chemical warfare environment.
Airmen train on assisting each other in removing contaminated protective clothing as they proceed through a simulated decontamination station at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo N.D., Feb. 6, 2021. This event is part of the bi-annual chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training requirements.
“All Airmen need to pay attention to this training which helps save lives, including their own. This readiness in turn builds a more lethal force by improving preparedness,” said Senior Master Sgt. Kristi Erickson, 119th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management superintendent.
Airmen of the 119th Wing place a protective cover over equipment during annual chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives training at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo N.D., Feb. 6, 2021.
Adding to the N.D. National Guard Family
The N.D. National Guard can point to many families that have several members serving in both Army and Air components, simultaneously, and through multiple generations. Another family, the Andrade's from Mandan, was recently added to this distinguished group. Pvt. Journey Mckenna recently enlisted into the same unit as her sister, Sgt. Memorie Andrade.
Journey, a Mandan High School student, enlisted in the N.D. Army National Guard into the military police career field. After basic and advanced individual training (AIT), she will be assigned to the 816th Military Police Company with her sister.
Journey's twin sister Justice also chose to serve in a military law enforcement career field. Justice enlisted into the U.S. Air Force active duty security forces last week.
BIA Critical Stress Management Class
Students attended The United States Indian Police Academy (USIPA) class at the Advanced Training Center (ATC) at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) on Feb. 9 to 10, 2021. Eleven students attended the course that is designed to present the core elements of a comprehensive, systematic and multi-component crisis intervention curriculum. The 2-day class prepares participants to understand a wide range of crisis intervention services including pre- and post-incident crisis education, significant other support services, on-scene support services and much more. The ATC at CGTC is the only location conducting active courses in the United States.
Photo: Deputy Director of Training, Wade Creighton of the USIPA, welcomes students to the ATC at Camp Grafton on Feb 9.
Class on History's Importance
Lt. Col. (retired) Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard Historian, conducted professional development training for the full-time force at the Raymond J. Bohn armory on Feb. 10, 2021. During her her briefing, which was livestreamed across the state, she discussed the importance of preserving our 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 questions or for more information, contact her at 701-333-2016.
N.D. National Guard History Briefing
Briefing slides with narrative presented by Lt. Col. (retired) Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard historian as depicted above.
Recognition
Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general, recognized three Soldiers by awarding them coins for their role in assisting the 816th Military Police (MP) Company's mobilization in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration last month. The MPs were alerted, mobilized and quickly deployed to Washington, D.C., thanks in part to the outstanding support provided by these and many other Soldiers in the N.D. National Guard. Honored with coins were Master Sgt. Janette Ingebretson, Sgt. 1st Class Lee Peterson, and Staff Sgts. Gregg Moos and Nathan Griffin.
Support to Presidential Inauguration Briefing
The Bismarck Kiwanis invited Capt. Justin Huber, commander of the 816th Military Police Company, to provide an overview of their mission in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration, January 2021 at the Bismarck Municipal Country Club on Feb. 9, 2021. The presentation provided the audience a chronological day-by-day list of events depicted in photos and videos. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Children's Gratitude
Children in the second grade of St. Anne School in Bismarck, N.D., created 'Thank you' cards for the Soldiers and Airmen of the N.D. National Guard. The cards thanked them for their service to the community and nation. (U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
ND Guard History - 1917
Preceding a full mobilization alert for the Great War (World War I) in February 1917, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the National Guard to federal duty to protect railroad bridges and public utilities from German sabotage. The 1st North Dakota Infantry had been home for only 40 day after spending a year on the Mexican Border when they were alerted for this new mission. Company A, Bismarck, and Company F, Mandan, established guard posts on each end of the Northern Pacific Bridge spanning the Missouri River between the two cities. By May 1917, over two hundred men occupied the squad tents with wood flooring at Camp Frazier on the Bismarck (east side) end of the bridge. By the end of the year, the 1st N.D. Infantry was renamed the 164th Infantry Regiment and had shipped to France with the 41st Infantry Division. (Photo from the Major Dana Wright Collection)
Chief Warrant Officer Retirement
Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, commander of the N.D. Army National Guard, awarded Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert Axtman, the North Dakota Legion of Merit Medal, during Axtman's retirement ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory on Feb. 6, 2021. Axtman was recognized for his 32 years of military service with 28 of those years service in the N.D. National Guard.
COVID-19 Vaccinations Continue for the North Dakota Army Guard
Full-time Soldiers and civilians of the N.D. National Guard, on a voluntary basis, and in a tiered priority order as determined by the Department of Defense, continue to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The second of two Moderna vaccines were administered at the Raymond J. Bohn armory on Feb. 11, 2021 to eligible individuals. (National Guard story and photos by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Sgt. 1st Class Jared Klempel, right, and Maj. Benjamin Braille, collect information for screening individuals that chose to have the second Modern vaccine at the medical clinic at Raymond J. Bohn armory on Bismarck, N.D., on Feb. 11, 2021.
VA Administers COVID-19 Vaccines at National Guard Armory in Bismarck
The Veterans Administration (VA) sponsored a mass COVID-19 vaccine clinic for Veterans at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, N.D., on Feb. 11, 2021. The VA provided the first of two required doses for over 800 Veterans. (U.S. National Guard story and video by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
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