News

By Chaplain (Maj.) Tim Stout - 131st Military Police Battalion

The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

By Mrs. Michelle A. Gauvin-Panos, ND Cares Executive Director

Military retirees and active service members have increased access to behavioral health services for themselves and their Families. As of February 2020, the N.D. Department of Human Services’ regional human service centers are now in-state TRICARE providers. This eliminates the need for individuals to get prior authorization before receiving vital behavioral health services at the centers or one of their four satellite clinics or 33 outreach sites in the state. Why is this important? According to North Dakota military data from 2014 through 2018, on average, 669 veterans or individuals who served in the military were treated at the human service centers. Of those, 60% received behavioral health services and either needed prior authorizations, used other insurance or paid out-of-pocket for services.

by Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger, 116th Public Affairs Detachment

The North Dakota National Guard’s 81st Civil Support Team (CST) is a homeland defense unit comprised of 22 Soldiers and Airmen specializing in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) analysis for responding to incidents across the state, region, and nation. The mission of the 81st CST is to identify CBRN incidents, counter weapons of mass destruction, assist during natural disasters, and to protect the people of N.D. and the nation. Federal, state, local, and civil agencies can turn to the unit for support in any of the areas they specialize in. They undergo hundreds of hours of training every year to prepare themselves to respond to emergencies.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s Bismarck-based 1^st Battalion, 112^th Aviation Regiment will partner with the McLean County Sheriff’s Office in a joint exercise Aug. 10-12.

Both agencies remind the public to be aware of the training activities, since there will be increased vehicle and helicopter traffic during these exercises. The public’s cooperation and understanding is appreciated.

BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota National Guard's 957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) will be conducting field training exercises this week in the Kimball Bottoms area near the Missouri River, south of Bismarck.

The N.D. National Guard reminds the public to be aware of the training activities and to use extreme caution when in the area, since there will be increased vehicle and boat traffic during unit training operations. The public's cooperation and understanding is appreciated.

For the safety of the public, the off-road vehicle area known as the Desert, will be closed to the public from 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6 through 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard will partner with several civilian agencies state-wide next week in a joint exercise called Vigilant Guard. The exercise will take place Aug. 3 - 6 in several areas across the state. The North Dakota National Guard regularly conducts emergency response exercise scenarios to help develop, validate, and refine plans and capabilities. This helps ensure its ability to support real-world disaster and emergency operations for our state and communities particularly in supporting response efforts such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

CAMP GRAFTON TRAINING CENTER, N.D. — Soldiers of the Fargo-based Battery C (Charlie), 1^st Battalion, 188^th Air   Defense Artillery Regiment were formally presented the 2019 Hamilton Award on July 27 at the N.D. National Guard’s Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake. This award is presented annually by the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery (ADA) branch to the ADA battery that has demonstrated exceptional achievement and mission accomplishment through the course of the year.

MINOT, N.D. — The North Dakota Air National Guard recently named Airmen Staff Sgt. Jessica Harper and Staff Sgt. Sarah Harper, as Family of the Year during a ceremony at Minot Air Force Base on July 17.

Both Airmen are assigned to the 219th Security Forces Squadron. Based at Minot Air Force Based This unit is a part of the Fargo-based 119^th Wing, nicknamed the “Happy Hooligans”. 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. Both are heavily involved in supporting animal rescue and serve as volunteer coaches for area youth sports.

A North Dakota Army National Guard unit has received an alert for possible mobilization. If ordered to mobilize, the Bismarck-based Company C, 2^nd Battalion, 285^th Aviation Regiment, would deploy to the National Capital Region (NCR) area of operations late in 2020.

On May 27, a shooting occurred in Grand Forks, N.D. that took the life of Officer Cody Holte of the Grand Forks Police Department. Officer Holte was also a First Lieutenant in the North Dakota National Guard. Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general and Brig. Gen. Leo Ryan, N.D. Army National Guard commander, released the following statements about Lt. Holte.