Spc. Casey Schauer, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge), demonstrates how to create a supported firing position using snow shoeing poles during cold weather training at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., March 12, 2023. (National Guard photo by Spc. Ram Dahal, 957th Engineer Company)
Contents
- Wildland Fire and Continuity Response Exercise
- New Army Mess Unit
- Table Top Exercise
- Cold Weather Training
- Antiterrorism Officer Basic Course
- Promotion
- Master Leader Course Grad
- From The Field Campaign
Wildland Fire and Continuity Response Exercise
Members of the N.D. National Guard (NDNG) conducted a wildland fire response and Continuity of Government exercise, March 10 to 11, 2023, at Fraine Barracks and the Bismarck Aviation Readiness Center (ARC) in Bismarck. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
These types of exercises help ensure readiness is maintained to successfully work with N.D. National Guard Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), and other civilian state and local partners.
Lt. Col. Ann Willoughby, Joint Force Headquarters, is interviewed by tv news reporter at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, March 10, 2023.
About 50 Soldiers and Airmen from the National Guard’s Domestic Operations Section worked from the organization’s Joint Operations Center (JOC), practicing command and control for military response resources during an emergency response training exercise.
The JOC is a jointly (Army and Air National Guard members) operated entity which serves as the adjutant general's command and control platform to direct, plan, monitor and guide all aspects of N.D. National Guard forces in support of emergency response.
Col. Steve Selzler, director of the N.D. National Guard's J-3 Military Support, is interviewed by a tv news reporter at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, March 10, 2023.
This exercise included response planning, operational coordination, monitoring wildland fire response status, continuity of operation plan as well as public information dissemination.
Senior Master Sgt. Kim Potter, auditor, is interviewed by a tv reporter at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, March 10, 2023.
These types of exercises are reoccurring events and usually center on flooding, wildland fires and blizzard response. Most of the command and control elements and responsibilities of the JOC can be used for any domestic response scenario.
For Continuity of Government portion of the exercise, the JOC moved their personnel and equipment to the N.D, National Guard's Aviation Readiness Center (ARC) in south Bismarck.
New Army Mess Unit
The 231st Quartermaster Platoon held their second Inactive Duty for Training (IDT) drill at Camp Grafton Training Center, March 11 and 12, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. First Class Joseph Newman, 231st Quartermaster Platoon)
This Field Feeding Company (FFC) consolidates culinary specialists and field feeding equipment into companies, platoons and teams that will be assigned on an as-needed basis to units during field training/exercises or forward deploying unit that require mess support.
Staff Sgt. Robinson instructs a class on proper set up of the Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT) to members of the 231st Quartermaster Platoon at Camp Grafton Training Center, March 11, 2023.
Benefits of the FFC is it creates modular, scalable field feeding capability which addresses both home station and deployed operations.
Consolidating mess section and personal improves leadership opportunities for Food Service Specialists to include first sergeant, platoon sergeant, squad leader and operations sergeant.
231st Quartermaster Platoon, conducting inventory and packing Food Sanitation Centers (FSC) at Camp Grafton Training Center, March 12, 2023.
The Field Feeding Company mission is to provide field feeding to operational forces on deployment, during field training and in a garrison environment.
Table Top Exercise
A table top active shooter exercise was held at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, March 9, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The event, led by the N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), allowed the N.D. National Guard, North Dakota Highway Patrol, Bismarck Police Department and as well as Fire, and the Burleigh County sheriff's office to work together.
Top left, Larry Regorrah, N.D. Department of Emergency Services exercise officer, speaks with N.D. National Guard members and other law enforcement agencies during a tabletop exercise at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, March 9, 2023.
The main purpose for the tabletop was to plan a full-scale active shooter exercise.
Tabletop exercises are discussion-based meetings where team members discuss their roles during an emergency and their responses to a particular scenario. They are used to clarify roles and responsibilities which can assist in improving emergency plans.
Cold Weather Training
957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) Soldiers conducted cold weather training at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., March 12, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Spc. Ram Dahal, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge))
The training was provided by unit members Sgt. Mattias Stich and Spc. Casey Schauer. The class educated Soldiers how to operate in cold weather and included a discussion about the cold weather clothing system and layer-based apparel framework worn in moderate to sub-zero climates.
Spc. Casey Schauer, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) leads a group of Soldiers in a warm-up exercise during cold weather training at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., March 12, 2023.
The soldiers donned their level 3 cold weather garments then performed physical training to warm up and test their gear.
Spc. Casey Schauer, right, shows Spc. Andrew Bouvette, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) how to use snow shoeing poles during cold weather training at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., March 12, 2023.
The soldiers also received training using government issued magnesium snow shoes and poles in the deep snow.
SPC Casey Schauer, 957th Engineer Company (Multi-role Bridge), demonstrates a unsupported firing position during cold weather training at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., March 12, 2023.
141st MEB Marksmanship
Soldiers of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade trained on the Laser Marksmanship Training System (LMTS) during a Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI) course on March 11, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Johlfs, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Preliminary marksmanship instruction focuses on the four fundamentals of marksmanship. Learning to steady your fighting position, using correct aiming techniques, breathing properly and squeezing the trigger properly.
Antiterrorism Officer Basic Course
The Director of Military Support (DOMS) and the Antiterrorism (AT) office hosted an Army Antiterrorism Officer Basic Course (ATOBC) conducted by a Mobile Training Team (MTT) at the Bismarck Aviation Readiness Center (ARC), March 6 to 10, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The course trains officer and enlisted service members to serve and perform as battalion-level and above Antiterrorism Officers for their units.
Promotion
Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment held a promotion ceremony for Dillion Spray, 174th Cyber Protection Team, at the N.D. National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, N.D., March 11, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. Holli Hruby, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment)
Master Leader Course
Sfc. Corey Donaldson, a combat engineer SR instructor, 164th Regional Training Institute, graduated from the U.S. Army Master Leader Course, Fort Bliss, Texas, Feb. 15, 2023.
Donaldson earned Honor Graduate recognition in the course that provides the Army with competent senior noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who maintain a positive presence and who are self-aware, adaptive, and able to shape the joint operational environment. This course is conducted by the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence.
From the Field Campaign Submitted Photos
Here's some recent photos from the N.D. National Guard's "From the Field" campaign. (National Guard story by 1st Lt. Bruce Shields Jr., N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
This campaign encourages Soldiers and Airmen to submit photos and videos of their National Guard experience. To submit Guard training, battle selfies, awards and great scenery use the QR code below or click on bit.ly/NDNG-FTF. Follow the simple instructions online.
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