Top photo: N.D. National Guard Soldiers began moving from their staging area to their assigned positions to help protect city facilities from potential civil unrest threats on June 5.
Military Police Assist Fargo
About 160 Soldiers from the 131st Military Police (MP) Battalion from Dickinson, Bismarck and Grand Forks arrived in Fargo to support law enforcement in response to potential civil unrest threats on June 5, 2020. The MPs conducted area security missions to include operating seven Traffic Control Points (TCPs) and provided presence at nine critical sites in Fargo and Cass County. The sites included three Fargo fire stations, Fargo City Hall and the Cass County courthouse.
N.D. National Guard Soldiers stand guard near their Humvee while on duty outside the Fargo Police Department headquarters in response to potential civil unrest threats on June 5.
N.D. National Guard Soldiers in a Humvee assume a protective position outside the Fargo City Hall in response to potential civil unrest threats on June 5.
Welcome Home Cyber Warriors
Five Soldiers of the 174th Cyber Protection Team were honored for their recent deployment at a Welcome Home event in Bismarck on June 7, 2020. The unit, which was mobilized from Dec. 2018 to Feb. 2020, to the National Capitol Region in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, had their ceremony postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, addresses Soldiers of the 174th Cyber Protection Team during an event in Bismarck on June 7.
Soldiers of the 174th Cyber Protection Team listen to remarks during their welcome home event on June 7.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, left, watches Sen. John Hoeven elbow bump Sgt. Phillip Budd, 174th Cyber Protection Team during a welcome home event on June 7. The elbow bump is in accordance with social distancing protocol.
Video of the 174th Cyber Protection Team's Welcome Home Ceremony
Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) Training
Fourteen N.D. Army National Guard Officer Candidates (OC) from two different classes recently conducted training at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) from June 2 to 7, 2020 in preparation for their next challenge in pursuit of their gold lieutenant bars.
Nine Soldiers from OCS Class 64 completed Phase Zero. This block of training included the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), drill and ceremony, day/night land navigation, a 4-mile run and a 4-mile ruck march. Class 64 is scheduled for Phase I training at Fort Meade, S.D. in July.
Five members from Class 63 completed Phase II training which included Field Leadership Exercises (FLX) that allowed them to hone their troop leading procedures, communication skills, map reading and basic infantry tactics at the platoon and squad levels. Other training included two 4-mile runs, basic rifle marksmanship, 9mm pistol qualification, an APFT and a ceremonial dining-in. These activities helped prepare them for Phase III scheduled for July at Camp Rapid, S.D. After successful completion of this phase, these OCs will be commissioned as 2nd lieutenants on August 15 during a ceremony at CGTC.
OC Bruce Shields, right, of Class 63, briefs his squad after completing a mission during Field Leadership Exercise (FLX) Lanes on June 4 at Camp Grafton Training Center.
COVID-19 Testing at UTTC Bismarck
COVID-19 mobile testing site in Linton
The N.D. National Guard assisted in COVID-19 mobile testing in Linton on June 5, 2020. The mission is part of the North Dakota National Guard’s continued support to state and local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pvt. 1st Class Lacey Urlacher (Right), of the 816th Military Police Company, and Spc. Colton Boelter, of 1st Detachment of the 816th Military Police Company, work as data collectors at the COVID-19 mobile testing site in Linton on June 5.
Spc. Sulley Merwin, of the 817th Engineer Company, administers a Covid-19 test at a mobile testing site in Linton on June 5.
119th Wing maintains historic aircraft
The 119th Wing maintains several static aircraft it has flown since the units inception. They are on display for viewing in the Heritage Park area at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base in Fargo. The aircraft are not operational, but must be maintained in good condition for viewing. The North Dakota Air National Guard flew the F-102 from 1966-1969. The aircraft will be returned to its place on display in the Heritage Park area on base when the restoration is complete.
Bridge Training Site Construction
Instructors from the 164th Regional Training Institute (RTI) kept their skills current by constructing a boat launch pad at the 12C Bridge Training Area, also known as Richie Slough, at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC). The instructors constructed the concrete pad and operated the engineer equipment necessary for the ground work. This training area will be used by the 164th RTI bridging students and bridge units training on CGTC.
141st MEB Promotion
Happy Hooligans Welcome New Chief
The Airmen of the 119th Wing, known as the Happy Hooligans, promoted Kent Kraiter to Chief Master Sergeant. His new rank was affixed to his uniform by his daughters, one of which is a fellow Air National Guard member, Senior Airman Hannah Kraiter. A true Happy Hooligan Family, Kraiter joins his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Jennifer Kraiter, among those achieving the highest enlisted rank in the Air National Guard.
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