119th Wing Travels to Hickam AFB for Annual Training PG. 14

24 Pages·2015·4.02 MB·English

G
UA RDI A N
Volume 8, Issue 3 March/April 2015
Hooligan History
N.D. Air National Guard
Traces Roots to World War II
PG. 4
Diving Work
into
119th Wing Travels to Hickam AFB
for Annual Training
PG. 14
Emergency Response
Domestic Operations Section Works With
State Partners during Tornado Exercise
PG. 9
Inside This Issue
Features
Caring Commander in Chief
6 North Dakota Governor
Coalition
Jack Dalrymple
The Adjutant General
ND Cares — a coalition dedicated to
Maj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk
strengthening a network of support
for the state’s service members, Chief of Public Affairs
veterans, families and survivors — is Mr. Bill Prokopyk
establishing a leaders’ network to
Editor
explore support needs, consolidate Sgt. Jennifer Joyce
resources and close gaps in coverage to
care for and meet the challenges faced Contributors
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Johnson
by families who’ve served.
Maj. Donavan Blazek
Maj. Penny Ripperger
Capt. Joshua Breding
Preparing for Chaplain (Capt.) Justing Fenger
9
Capt. Jeff Hoffer
Disaster
1st Lt. Cathy Peterson
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel Skager
Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp
The N.D. National Guard Joint Force
Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen
Headquarters’ Domestic Operations,
Staff Sgt. Brett Miller
or DOMOPS, section recently had Tech. Sgt. Bradly Schneider
the opportunity to strengthen the Sgt. Ashley Johlfs
Spc. Kristin Berg
organization’s partnerships with other
Spc. Jessica Bilquist
state emergency response agencies
Senior Airman Skyler Moderow
during a severe storm exercise, which
simulated an EF3 tornado tearing The North Dakota Guardian is an authorized publication for
members, families and retirees of the N.D. National Guard.
through Devils Lake, North Dakota.
• Contents of the North Dakota Guardian are not necessarily the
official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the
Department of the Army or Air Force.
• Editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of
10 Outstanding the Joint Force Headquarters, N.D. National Guard (JFND)
Airmen Public Affairs Officer.
• Printed by United Printing, a private firm in no way connected to
the U.S. Government under exclusive written contract with the
JFND. Reproduction is by the offset method with a circulation
The North Dakota Air National of approximately 4,900.
Guard, known as the “Happy • The North Dakota Guardian is published by the JFND Public
Information Office, Box 5511, Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5511,
Hooligans,” recognized the
701.333.2007
organization’s top noncommissioned
officers and unit members of the year ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
during its 2014 Outstanding Airmen Contributions to the North Dakota Guardian are encouraged!
of the Year banquet. Fifteen airmen Send articles, photos and art to Editor, JFND PIO, Box 5511,
Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5511. Electronic submissions are
were nominated for the award based
preferred. Please e-mail stories in Word format to:
on their military and civic service
[email protected]
throughout 2014. Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Digital photos should be 300 dpi, if possible.
Departments On the Cover
Guardian Snapshots ..................... Page 16 119th Medical Group physician Col. Bryan
Delage climbs out of the Pacific Ocean
News Briefs ..................................... Page 21 during water survival refresher training
Sound Off! ..................................... Page 23 MFoarrcceh B1a2s ea, t HHaiwckaaiim, wBheearceh , thHeic kmamed icAairl
group Airmen completed annual training.
Interact With Us!
See even more N.D. National Guard highlights
at our social media sites, and share your thoughts!
www.youtube.com/NDNationalGuard www.twitter.com/NDNationalGuard Photo by Capt. Joshua Breding,
119th Wing
www.flickr.com/photos/NDGuard www.facebook.com/NDNationalGuard
VIEW FROM THE TOP
A MESSAGE FROM THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
maintaining partnerships
As you know, the North Dakota and help them succeed in their assigned
National Guard has three state missions.
partnerships in Africa. We celebrated our There is no doubt that this African
10-year anniversary last year with Ghana Land Forces Summit was a success.
and recently added Togo and Benin to our Representatives of 36 African nations Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk
State Partnership Program. convened with representatives of the
Recently, I had the opportunity to United States. Thirty-seven nations left North Dakota Adjutant General
attend the African Land Forces Summit the Summit as friends and allies better
in Senegal, Africa. Thirty-six of the 54 prepared to cooperate in facing and
African nations were represented, along defeating our common threats. As military Soldiers and Airmen are second to none
with nine of the ten National Guard state leaders, the participants recognized when it comes to successfully carrying
partnerships in Africa. Most of these the value of sharing, networking and out missions, no matter where they may
African nations’ representatives were partnering. We found that most of our be.
their Army chiefs of staff. Although there discussion with the African nations I see our African partnerships
were language and cultural barriers, we mirrored the current discussions that we continuing to grow and I see greater
definitely felt a bond as Soldiers serving are experiencing regarding the challenges opportunities for our Guard members. I
our respective nations. As senior leaders of resourcing and shaping an appropriate thank you all for the great job you’ve done
T
within our armies, we were all in favor of land forces structure for the future. in perpetuating the outstanding reputation
peace and stability within our countries Although we are thousands of miles of our organization. This has directly
and around the world. away from Africa, the N.D. National contributed to the high level of respect
Discussion ranged from peacekeeping Guard has had a presence and an influence enjoyed by the N.D. National Guard
operations training to the challenges on the stability within the continent of within the African continent.
of regional military cooperation to the Africa. Our state partnerships are strong
future and the four “Cs for success:” because of the efforts and professionalism
coordination, cooperation, communication of the Soldiers and Airmen of the N.D.
and consensus building. The four “Cs” National Guard and their participation
apply to most every mission with which in the State Partnership Program. Our
we may be tasked. Several senior leaders
from other nations reiterated the four “Cs”
and added a fifth “C:” commitment. As
we all know, commitment is an important
component in military service as we tackle
all endeavors.
Even though terrorism was not a formal
agenda topic, it was mentioned several
times in open discussion. Every nation is
concerned about terrorism and wants to
enhance their counter-terrorism response
capabilities. Our regional approach to
security cooperation activities with Ghana,
Togo and Benin fits well with their
joint efforts to protect their citizens and
overcome terrorist organizations. In the
coming months, we will pursue the idea of
a joint command post exercise with these
African nations. This exercise will help
ensure that our armies and our Soldiers are Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, visits with representatives from the Togolese Republic during an
better prepared to meet terrorist threats African Land Forces Summit in Senegal.
www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 3
From the desk oF the
North Dakota National Guard Historian
A 392nd Fighter Squadron P-47D Thunderbolt piloted by 367th Fighter Group
Commander Col. Edwin S. “Chick” Chickering soars over the European countryside in
early 1945. Chickering, originally from Oil City, Pennsylvania, commanded the 367th
Fighter Group from November 1944 to September 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo)
HISTORIC BEGINNINGS
‘Happy Hooligans’ Trace Their Lineage to World War II
By Capt. Jeff Hoffer
N.D. National Guard Historian
The story of the North Dakota Air
National Guard’s “Happy Hooligans” began
with the formation of the 392nd Fighter became regular occurrences, as preparations for the Allied invasion of Nazi-
Squadron at Hamilton Army Air Field near occupied Europe continued.
San Francisco, California, on July 15, 1943. By June 6, 1944, the Allied invasion of Normandy was well underway, and
As one of three squadrons assigned to the found the squadron providing air cover for British, Canadian and American
367th Fighter Group — later known as “The forces crossing the English Channel. That pivotal day was known simply
Dynamite Gang — the unit trained with Bell as “D-Day.” With the withdrawal of the bulk of the German Luftwaffe
P-39 Airacobras before arriving England in to Germany to protect against the ever-increasing devastation against
April 1944, and being assigned to the 9th German war industry wrought by the bombers of the U.S. 8th Air Force
Army Air Force’s IX Fighter Command. and the British Royal Air Forces Bomber Command, encounters with the
Upon arrival at their new home at Royal Luftwaffe proved rare. Instead, missions against German ground targets,
Air Force Stoney Cross, near Hampshire, such as troop concentrations, convoys, armor, artillery positions, flak towers
England, the squadron was surprised to find and aerodromes all fell under the guns, rockets, and bombs of the 392nd
twin-engine Lockheed P-38J Lightings as it supported the slow Allied advance in the hedgerow-framed Norman
awaiting them. Trained as a single-engine countryside.
squadron, the unit expected to receive North One of the squadron’s significant contributions in June was preventing
American P-51 Mustangs, but began training German reinforcements from reaching the front lines by attacking
with their new mounts. Following about transportation infrastructure, such as railroads, marshalling yards and trains.
a month of retraining with the P-38s, the The killing and destruction in Normandy took on a whole new meaning
392nd Fighter Squadron flew its first combat for the 392nd in late June as the German 7th Army, threatened with being
missions over Adolph Hitler’s “Fortress surrounded and cut off in France, withdrew eastward through a gap to
Europe” in May 1944. Fighter sweeps, the east of the Allied lines between Falaise and Argentan, France. In a
bomber escort and dive-bombing missions single day, the squadron destroyed five convoys and about 100 tanks, as the
against German targets in occupied France Germans attempted to avoid encirclement.
4 · Guardian · March 2015
In the Allied breakout that followed the west faltered, then failed, the enemy again following its return to the United States,
destruction at Falaise, the 392nd Fighter withdrew eastward. the squadron replaced its P-47Ds with
Squadron maintained pressure on the As 1945 unfolded, air operations the newer, longer-ranged P-47N. As the
enemy, moving from England to France continued for the 392nd. In February, unit prepared to deploy, events outstripped
in July where it set up housekeeping at the squadron replaced its P-38Js with plans, and on Aug. 15, 1945, Japan
Criqueville-en-Bessin, one of the forward P-47Ds, mostly owing to a shortage of surrendered and World War II ended,
airfields established during the Normandy P-38s throughout the European Theater, just over two years after the squadron
Campaign. Life in Normandy differed stemming from combat losses. For a brief first entered service. The 392nd Fighter
greatly from England. The men lived and period, the squadron operated both aircraft Squadron disbanded at Seymour-Johnson
worked from tents and serviced their planes until the last P-38s disappeared. With Army Air Field, North Carolina, and
in the open air. There, pierced steel planking the proven P-47, the 392nd flew another formally inactivated in November 1945.
replaced concrete runways. Further moves memorable mission on March 19, 1945, The 392nd Fighter Squadron,
followed as the war moved eastward, but when the squadron, while flying as part redesignated the 178th Fighter Squadron,
conditions remained a constant. of the 367th Fighter Group, attacked was allotted to the N.D. Air National
Infrequent encounters with the the headquarters of the Germany Army’s Guard on May 24, 1946, at Hector
Luftwaffe provided fodder for pilots’ commander-in-chief West at Ziegenburg, Field in Fargo, becoming the first unit
post-mission debriefs, but usually resulted Germany. With its targets nestled in of the organization. The 392nd Fighter
in few aerial victories, as the squadron rugged terrain and obscured by ground Squadron’s parent fighter group during
continued to focus on the destruction haze, the squadron successfully struck the war, the 367th, went to Minnesota
of ground targets. As July stretched into from low altitudes, earning it a second and became the 133rd Fighter Group on
August, the Luftwaffe returned and the Presidential Unit Citation. May 23, 1946. On Feb. 1, 1947, federal
392nd Fighter Squadron added attacks The months of combat culminated with recognition was received and North
against enemy aerodromes to its repertoire the end of the war in Europe on May 8, Dakota’s 178th Fighter Squadron acquired
while strikes against the German army 1945. As the war in Europe ended, battles the P-51 Mustang — the same airframe its
continued. The tempo reached a head on in the Pacific continued, and on July 1, legacy unit expected to see upon its arrival
Aug. 25, 1944. Following a fight with the squadron learned it would be sent in England in April 1944 The rest, as they
German fighters — while attacking to support Allied efforts there. Shortly say, is history.
enemy airfields and low on fuel — the
squadron strafed and destroyed an enemy
train and then a vehicle convoy. The pilots
returned to base to rearm and refuel before
returning to the air and flying an 800-mile
fighter sweep against enemy airfields. For
its Herculean efforts, the squadron received
a Presidential Unit Citation.
During the fall of 1944, the 392nd
Fighter Squadron supported attacks
against the Seigfried Line where it
continued with its missions of close air
support, interdiction and fighter sweeps
into Germany itself. On Dec. 16, the
Germans launched a massive offensive
through the Ardennes in Belgium,
surprising U.S. forces during a period of
poor weather that kept units like the 392nd
Fighter Squadron grounded. The Germans
made significant gains as the largest battle
the U.S. Army history, the Battle of the
Bulge, developed. The German successes
were not to continue. By Dec. 26, the
weather cleared, and Allied air power took
to the skies, visiting destruction upon
enemy forces. Flying with the other two
squadrons of the group, the 392nd escorted
U.S. C-47 cargo aircraft dropping supplies Maj. Robert C. “Buck” Rogers, originally of Omaha, Nebraska, poses next to his P-38J, Lightning “Little Buckaroo,” of the 392nd
to the besieged American defenders in Fighter Squadron, at Clastres, France, on Oct. 12, 1944. (U.S. Army Air Corps photo)
the encircled Belgian city of Bastogne.
As Germany’s last major offensive in the
www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 5
Stitching it All Together
ND Cares Coalition Dedicated to Strengthening N.D. Military Support
By Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen,
Joint Force Headquarters
It started with an invitation and developed into dutiful passion. Services” and “leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral
North Dakota First Lady Betsy Dalrymple said she was delighted health of the nation.”
when asked to chair a newly-formed coalition dedicated to Recently, SAMHSA has been working with each state in an
“strengthening an accessible, seamless network of support for effort to engage stakeholders and initiate dialog about how they can
the state’s service members, veterans, families and survivors.” The best support service members returning from deployments, their
group, known as ND Cares, represents a broad spectrum of military families, and other veterans. One member of the North Dakota
support programs and public and private service providers. In delegation who has been active with the group from the initial
recent months, the coalition has been influential in establishing a SAMHSA meeting is Connie Sprynczynatyk, civilian aide to the
leaders’ network to explore support needs, consolidate resources and Secretary of the Army and wife of Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk,
close gaps in coverage to care for and meet the challenges faced by North Dakota’s adjutant general. Connie joined the original
families who’ve served. group that gathered in April 2013 to work with SAMHSA in the
“There are a lot of great providers of services out there. We planning process, and agreed with others that Dalrymple would be
just want to be able to tell people who have served where to find an outstanding coalition chair.
those services and how better to connect people,” Dalrymple said. “One of our goals was to establish an effective leaders’ network,
“Sometimes you just need to get the right people in the room and our team believed First Lady Betsy Dalrymple’s skills
together.” and caring personality would be perfect to lead the charge,”
That process, up to this point, has taken a lot of collaboration. The Sprynczynatyk said. “I am so glad she said yes; Betsy is highly
groundwork for the coalition was laid nearly two years ago in May organized and firmly committed to making sure we give this effort
2013 after a 12-person team of state mental health providers and our very best. We've joked that our coalition has no authority
state agency representatives were invited to attend a policy academy or budget; what we do have is imagination, intense passion and
hosted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services determination.”
Administration (SAMHSA). The federal entity, according to its First Lady Dalrymple said the coalition’s primary focus has been
website, works “within the U.S. Department of Health and Human on the topic of behavioral health since it is a broader term that
Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, North Dakota National Guard Visual Information
North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple in February signed an executive order to officially establish the ND Cares Coalition. He also included $500,000 in his 2015-2017 executive budget to help expand the
coalition’s work and fund its future initiatives.
6 · Guardian · March 2015
encompasses many issues facing coalition stakeholders. “Being able to identify gaps and make programs more accessible
“It’s hard to pin down if one need is more important than the by partnering with key leaders in our state helps tremendously in
other, but I think there are issues that we as a state and a nation reaching out to our military families. Working within the coalition
need to recognize and see what we can do to help resolve,” she said. helps us to break down barriers and resolve issues by making them
ND Cares has made significant gains despite having limited more visible at a higher level,” he said.
resources. An executive order signed by North Dakota Gov. Ultimately, though, the coalition functions as a group of
Jack Dalrymple in February officially established the ND Cares educators. Dalrymple said, to streamline access to military
Coalition. He also included funds in his 2015-2017 executive services and resources, ND Cares needs to be active in explaining
budget to help expand the coalition’s work and fund its future the challenges military groups face to influential members of
initiatives. communities across the state, including law enforcement and clergy.
The coalition has accomplished much of its legwork by exploring That’s a huge undertaking, considering there are about 357 North
existing resources in North Dakota’s Department of Human Dakota communities, both large and small, the coalition hopes to
Services’ eight human service center regions and networking with reach.
both private and public service providers there. The multi-county “We’re getting there,” Dalrymple said.
areas provide counseling and mental health services, substance abuse One of the ways the group has proposed making the subject
treatment and disability services for North Dakotans. Coalition of service member support more visible is through a ND Cares
members say working within these geographical constructs — community project. The vision is to have each of the state’s cities
which now are paired with the N.D. National Guard’s family place an ND Cares road sign on main arteries running into their
support regions — will make it easier to reach the more than communities. The displays are intended to let the public know that
56,770 North Dakota residents who identify themselves as veterans North Dakota residents are committed to promoting a sanctuary of
of the U.S. Military. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 care and outreach for those who have served and their families.
American Community Survey, this group accounts for 11 percent of “We want people to know that North Dakota is a welcoming
the state’s adult population. place for our military, whether you served in World War II or are
“If our vision is a true network that supports service members, currently serving,” Dalrymple said. “My goal, and I think everyone
veterans, families and survivors, that can't happen until we get to else from within the group, is to have every city be an ND Cares
the point of ‘common knowledge’ across North Dakota. Wherever city.”
in this state a hand reaches out for help, there must be a response,” It’s just one example of the hard work the coalition has charged
Sprynczynatyk said. itself with, but Sprynczynatyk said ND Cares members are up to
Lt. Col. Warren Pauling, director of the N.D. National Guard’s the task.
Service Member and Family Support Division, sits on the ND “I am not only optimistic about the future of the coalition, I am
Cares executive committee, which helps develop the strategic plan excited about it,” Sprynczynatyk said. “Bringing service providers
for the coalition. He said partnering with ND Cares has helped together, identifying gaps and working to meet the needs of service
bolster access to his office’s services and resources for military members, veterans, families and survivors is difficult and painstaking
members across the state. work, but the result just might be priceless.”
For the past several months, ND Cares Coalition members
have been working hard to conduct a comprehensive
assessment of military support needs, integrate existing
programs and resources, and develop a leader network to
support collaborative efforts. Some examples of the progress
that has already been made include:
• Met with administrators from the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to determine methods for data sharing.
• Resolved a barrier to services that resulted from an
eligibility disconnect between regional Human Service
Centers and the VA.
• North Dakota National Guard personnel are using
regional Human Service Center boundaries to define their
areas of service.
• Providers are more informed of available state resources
and connections to those resources are strengthening.
• Created the North Dakota
Military Data Book, which provides
an overview of the services and
programs available to service
members, veterans, families and
survivors. — Information from the
North Dakota Governor’s Office
www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 7
Happy Hooligan Earns
Prestigious Engineer Award
Master Sgt. Daniel Anderson, of where little or no infrastructure exists.
Audubon, Minnesota, received the Society Anderson first was selected by the
of American Military Engineers (SAME) U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s
Goddard Medal March 7 for his exemplary Expeditionary Training Working Group
work in electrical power production career in 2012 to be the instructor of a pilot
Story by Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen, field. Anderson is a member of the Fargo- unit in the electrical power production
Joint Force Headquarters based 119th Civil Engineer Squadron, career field at the RTS. The Fargo pilot
119th Wing, and was presented the award unit was selected for developing training
Photos by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, during the North Dakota Air National on the new BPU high-power generator,
119th Wing Guard’s annual Outstanding Airmen of the which Anderson helped develop and
Year banquet at the Courtyard by Marriot implement. Anderson also travels to
in Moorhead, Minnesota. numerous contingency training sites to help
According to the SAME website, the implement, standardize and refine training.
Goddard Medal is presented to U.S. Air In a memo to SAME nominating
Force, Air National Guard and U.S. Air Anderson for the award, Col. Kent Olson,
Force Reserve Airmen for outstanding 119th Wing commander, wrote, “Master
contributions to military engineering, Sgt. Anderson is arguably the recognized
including military troop construction, expert in the power production career
base maintenance and contingency field in the Air Force. Since becoming the
engineering. The medal first was training instructor at the 119th Regional
awarded in 1973 and is named Training Site, he has become known across
for Maj. Gen. Guy H. Goddard, the nation as the go-to guy for power
who served as the director of production. As the wing commander, I can
civil engineering for the U.S. Air attest to the high standards of character,
Force and also an officer in the integrity and quality of work to which Dan
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers holds himself. He directly and intimately
during World War II. influences Active, Guard and Reserve ability
Maj. Gen. David to support missions worldwide.”
Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota Anderson has been a member of the N.D.
adjutant general, formally presented Air National Guard’s 119th Civil Engineer
Anderson the award. Squadron since April 1993. He is the son
As an instructor at the 119th of retired Chief Master Sgt. Donald G.
Regional Training Site (RTS) in Fargo, Anderson, also of the 119th Wing, and
Anderson earned the Goddard Medal the late Joyce Anderson, of Detroit Lakes,
for his role as cost center manager, Minnesota. He resides in Audubon with
primary equipment manager and the lead his wife, Kristy; son, Carter; and daughter,
contingency training instructor for the Camryn.
electrical power production career field. Anderson works full-time at the N.D. Air
In 2014, he developed and conducted National Guard’s Regional Training Site,
the first-ever Bear Power Unit (BPU) which is one of five contingency training
Mission Essential Equipment Training locations in the U.S. used by Air National
Course for the U.S. Air Force. The BPU is Guard and U.S. Air Force personnel in the
a technological leap from the traditional civil engineer career fields. Instructors at the
generators previously used to power a Basic site provide wartime mission training, as
Expeditionary Airfield Resources base, well as proficiency training on construction
more commonly known as a “tent city.” practices, utility support, emergency
These facilities are used to house deployed services, maintenance and repair of base
service members and aircraft in locations infrastructure.
8 · Guardian · March 2015
In the Eye of the Storm
DOMOPS Section Practices Emergency Response during Spring Tornado Exercise
Story by Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen, Joint Force Headquarters
Photos by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, Joint Force Headquarters
If there were a “worst-case scenario” for trained for flood and blizzard responses. taken out,” said Kristen Nelsen, emergency
a given situation, chances are Col. Dave Both of those are somewhat predictable manager for Ramsey County. “It made
Skalicky has thought of it, especially for events. We have a fair amount of time us think differently and opened our eyes
state emergency response planning. As the to prepare for those occurrences, and we to how you would respond if this was a
exercise director for the N.D. National have a lot of real-world experience in real-life situation, and what other resources
Guard Joint Force Headquarters’ Domestic responding to them,” Skalicky said. “With we would need obtain to put into place
Operations, or DOMOPS, section, he a tornado, we have to go from 0 to 100 and save lives and property. There’s always
recently helped author a tornado emergency miles per hour immediately to support local something new you can learn through these
response exercise that challenged staff to emergency managers. This exercise gives us exercises.”
navigate through a whirlwind of questions the opportunity to assess our capabilities, February’s event was the first exercise
and “what-ifs” to exploit state partnerships strengthen dialogue with our partners and of a long-range training plan, which is
for hypothetical recovery efforts. see how we can better help one another scheduled to culminate in summer 2017.
About 45 Soldiers and Airmen from during this type of response.” The DOMOPS training concept is to
the DOMOPS section validated the N.D. Some of the outside agencies gradually inject compounded emergency
National Guard’s emergency plans and participating in the exercise included response capabilities by incorporating
the capabilities it can provide in a severe North Dakota’s Department of Emergency outside agencies through Emergency
storm emergency Feb. 23-24 during the Services, Department of Health and Management Assistance Compacts, or
Operation Devil’s Breath exercise. Working Department of Homeland Security. The EMACs. An EMAC allows resources —
with multiple state agencies, the Guardsmen exercise scenario saw the community of whether personnel or equipment — to be
provided command and control for the Devils Lake, North Dakota, in Ramsey used across state lines during emergencies
response from the Joint Operations Center County, devastated by an Enhanced Fujita or disasters. It’s a nationally-adopted and
at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, a nexus Scale, or EF3, tornado, which had a damage congressionally-ratified mutual aid compact
for information-sharing and personnel path about 4 miles long and 1 mile wide. in which states share responsibility.
and equipment tracking during a domestic The simulated storm affected more than The recent spring exercise also brought
emergency. 7,000 residents and destroyed more than in another emergency response partner
The exercise aligned with the N.D. 1,235 structures, including a hospital, from the Utah National Guard. Known as
National Guard’s 2014-2019 Strategic Plan elderly care center, airport and waste water a Homeland Response Force, the regional
priorities. Specifically, it supported Goal facility. support agency is capable of assisting states
No. 4 within the document, which tasks “It’s always good to work with a variety by driving to the site of an event within 12
the organization to “forge and maintain of partners to see how things would play hours and providing casualty search and
partnerships.” out given a particular circumstance. With extraction, medical triage, decontamination
“Typically, the DOMOPS section has this scenario, we saw some of our key assets and internal force protection.
Left, Maj. William Nels, operations specialist for the Joint Force Headquarters' Domestic Operations (DOMOPS) section, gives an update brief to North Dakota National Guard personnel Feb. 24 in the Joint
Operations Center at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck, North Dakota. About 45 Soldiers and Airmen from the DOMOPS section validated emergency response plans and capabilities during "Operation Devil's
Breath," an exercise which mimicked the effect of a tornado blowing through Ramsey County in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Right, Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota deputy adjutant general, shares his
thoughts with the DOMOPS section staff about what he observed during the exercise.
www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 9
2014 Outstanding Airmen of the Year
OUTSTANDING AIRMEN
Story by Maj. Penny Ripperger, 119th Wing
Photos by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing
The North Dakota Air National Guard’s 188th Army Band provided named the Career Advisor of the Year for
Guard, known as the “Happy Hooligans,” entertainment during the banquet, and a her individual efforts and achievement
recognized the organization’s top number of distinguished guests, including with unit retention and career motivation
noncommissioned officers and unit Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North program management. Walberg was named
members of the year March 7 during its Dakota adjutant general, and senior North First Sergeant of the Year, which recognizes
2014 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Dakota Air Guard leaders, rendered remarks. the important contributions and leadership
banquet, which was held at the Courtyard by “To be recognized as ‘best of the best’ qualities exhibited by first sergeants in the
Marriott in Moorhead, Minnesota. among your peers in one of the most Air Force.
Fifteen airmen were nominated for the outstanding military units in the nation is The official award presentation followed,
award based on their military and civic a great accomplishment,” Sprynczynatyk honoring the three Outstanding Airmen
service throughout 2014, with three winners said. “I salute each nominee for your of the Year winners: Senior Airman Luke
walking away with the titles of Outstanding extraordinary achievements, in and out of Knutson was named Outstanding Airman
Airman of the Year, Outstanding uniform.” of the Year, Staff Sgt. Kellynn Fosse was
Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and After his remarks, Sprynczynatyk and Air named Noncommissioned Officer of the
Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Guard senior leaders presented awards to Year and Master Sgt. Luke Gardiner was
Officer of the Year. Tech. Sgt. Wendi Gunderson and Master named Senior Noncommissioned Officer of
The North Dakota Army National Sgt. Christopher Walberg. Gunderson was the Year.
Above: Col. Kent Olson, 119th Wing commander, shakes hands
with the daughter of Master Sgt. Melissa Woodard, of the 119th
Medical Group, as she stands in for her mother at the annual
Outstanding Airman of the Year banquet March 7. Master
Sgt. Woodard was one of five nominees for the Senior Non-
Commissioned Officer of the Year award.
Right: Master Sgt. Luke Gardiner, of the 219th Security Forces
Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Brandi Grossman, of the 119th Security
Forces Squadron, (who was standing in for Staff Sgt. Kellynn
Fosse, also of the 119th Security Forces Squadron) and Senior
Airman Luke Knutson, of the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron,
receive their awards at the Outstanding Airmen of the Year
Banquet.
10 · Guardian · March 2015