News

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s (NDNG) 81^st Civil Support Team (CST) responded today to a request for assistance from the Williston Police Department. The request came through the Williams County emergency manager to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services at approximately 6 p.m., Oct. 12.

On Oct. 10, the Williston Police Department discovered explosive materials and other unknown substances in an occupied apartment. The 81^st CST was requested to assist in the identification of these unknown substances.

Ten members of the 81^st CST traveled from their home base in Bismarck to Williston early this morning to render assistance to the incident commander. The CST’s capability includes the ability to analyze both quantitative and qualitative materials to include solids, powders, pastes, gels and liquids as well as a mobile analytical laboratory system, which has identification capabilities of biological, chemical and toxin compounds.

FARGO, N.D. — The 178^th Attack Squadron, of the North Dakota Air National Guard (NDANG), was recently recognized with the General Atomics Remotely Piloted Aircraft Trophy for 2021. 

The 178^th is the first Air National Guard (ANG) unit to earn this prestigious award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) squadron in the U.S. Air Force. However, this is not the first time the Happy Hooligans have been recognized as the best U.S. Air Force squadron in their primary flying mission. 

The Hooligans were similarly recognized in 2009 when the 177th Airlift Squadron received the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center (JOSAC) Squadron of the Year award in the U.S. Air Force small aircraft category, while operating the C-21 Lear Jet.

Grand Forks, N.D. — An audience of about 600 family members, friends, and fellow National Guard members gathered to welcome home about 225 North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers, Sept. 18, 2022, on the campus of the University of North Dakota. The ceremony recognized the accomplishments of the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th) and thanked the Families and employers for their support during their recent mission to the National Capital Region.

These Soldiers were mobilized from June 2021 to July 2022, where they collaborated with other Department of Defense agencies in protecting the airspace around the Washington, D.C. area, contributing to Operation Noble Eagle.

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota National Guard Soldiers Col. Todd Schaffer, Col. Brian Keller, Maj. Annie Gerhardt, and Maj. Waylon Tomac were recognized for their exceptional and selfless actions in response to a medical emergency. They were recently presented with the North Dakota National Guard’s The Woodrow W. Keeble “Je Suis Pret” (I am Ready) Award in Bismarck, Sept. 11, 2022.

The four Soldiers took immediate action when Brig. Gen. Jon Erickson, North Dakota Army Component commander, collapsed due to sudden cardiac arrest during a military ceremony at Bismarck’s Raymond J. Bohn armory on April 9, 2022. Their lifesaving measures, which included cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), were critical in Erickson’s survival and subsequent full recovery.

Fargo, N.D. — An estimated audience of over 1,200 family members, friends, and fellow National Guard members gathered to honor about 155 Soldiers assigned to the Fargo-based 191st Military Police (MP) Company at the Fargo Civic Center on Sept. 14, 2022.

The unit will deploy overseas for about year in support of U.S. Central Command’s area of operations and is led by Capt. Nathan Johnson and 1st Sgt. Jeremy Gowan.

Gov. Doug Burgum, commander in chief of the North Dakota National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general, addressed the Soldiers and Families during the ceremony.

BISMARCK, N.D. — Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general, issued the following statement on the death of a North Dakota National Guard Soldier, Staff Sgt. Cody Cox of West Fargo, North Dakota.

“Our North Dakota National Guard family mourns the recent passing of one of our Soldiers over the weekend,” said Dohrmann. “We will always honor and remember Cody’s commitment to our organization, state and nation. On behalf of all of the men and women of the North Dakota National Guard, I offer our sincere condolences and sympathy to his wife, Samantha, as well as Cody’s entire family and friends during this time of grief.”

Cox, 30, who passed away of natural causes on Sept. 4, 2022, enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 2011 as a LAN manager with the Fargo-based 426^th Signal Company. He was promoted to staff sergeant April 22, 2022 and was assigned as the secure communications manager for the 141^st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. He was also a full-time North Dakota National Guard employee in Fargo working as a network help desk technician. His wife is also a member of the North Dakota National Guard.

CAMP GRAFTON TRAINING CENTER, N.D. — Members of the 65th Officer Candidate School (OCS) class officially joined the North Dakota Army National Guard’s officer ranks during a graduation ceremony, Aug. 20, 2022, at the 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute (RTI). Fifteen Soldiers were awarded diplomas for completing the intensive officer training program, which is administered by staff and cadre from the RTI’s 2nd Training Battalion (Modular) at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Ten graduates of this class accepted their officer commissions as second lieutenants. They will now go on to lead platoons in North Dakota Army National Guard units across the state. One candidate accepted his commission at an earlier date. Officer candidates may defer their officer commission upon graduating OCS, dependent on personal preference or the availability of an officer position within a unit.

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — Community members and elected officials joined members of the North Dakota National Guard in honoring 53 Soldiers and their Families at a welcome home ceremony today at Burdick Arena in Devils Lake. The ceremony recognized the accomplishments of the Devils Lake-based 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment and demonstrated appreciation of the Families and employers for their support during their recent overseas mission.

Gov. Doug Burgum, commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National, Sen. John Hoeven, Rep. Kelly Armstrong, Devils Lake Mayor Jim Moe joined Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general and other senior Guard leaders in honoring the Soldiers.

BISMARCK, N.D. — Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann announced today that Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Magnuson was selected as the next senior enlisted leader (SEL) for the North Dakota National Guard.

Magnuson will succeed Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, who was recently named as the incoming state command sergeant major for the North Dakota Army National Guard. Binstock was assigned as the SEL January 2019.

Magnuson is expected to formally assume SEL duties in a change of responsibility ceremony planned for November.

BISMARCK, N.D. — Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann announced today that Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock was selected as the next North Dakota Army National Guard state command sergeant major (SCSM).

Binstock succeeds Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, who has served in the position since December 2019. Binstock will formally assume SCSM duties in a change of responsibility ceremony planned for November.

Binstock is currently assigned as the North Dakota National Guard’s senior enlisted leader (SEL), who along with the adjutant general, serve as the command team for the joint North Dakota Army and Air National Guard headquarters. The SEL serves as the principal policy advisor for all joint enlisted matters.