Sgt. 1st Class Bakken, red hat, horizontal construction instructor for the 164th Regional Training Institute, discusses the capabilities of the vibratory roller with Lt. Col. Max Appoh, center, and Warrant Officer 1 Hans Odoom, Ghanaian Armed Forces, who are visiting the Camp Grafton Training Center, July 17, 2022. (National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)
N.D. Guard Air Defenders Complete D.C. Mission
The N.D. National Guard's 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th ADA), relinquished responsibility for the national guard portion of air defense over the National Capital Region during a Battle Handover ceremony, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., July 14, 2022. Assuming authority for the mission is S.C. Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 263rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment. (National Guard story and photos by 1st Lt. Kaitlyn Gura, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment)
The N.D. Guard air defenders have been on duty in the nation's capital for about a year and are currently undergoing the demobilization process before returning home.
From left, Maj. Gen. Frank Rice, commander, 263rd Army Air Missile Defense Command; Col. Kenneth Ratliff, commander, Task Force Sheridan; Maj. Alan Roehrich, commander, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment; and Lt. Col. Brian Dimond, commander, 2nd Battalion, 263rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, stand at attention during a Battle Handover ceremony, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., July 14, 2022.
The National Capital Region Integrated Air Defense System was established after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 at the direction of the Secretary of Defense. This system improves our capability to defend against airborne threats over the nation's capital.
This mission is a component of the NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) homeland air defense enterprise, are is rotates among National Guard Air Defenders from Florida, Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia, as well as the United States Coast Guard.
Maj. Gen. Frank Rice, commander, 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, presents Maj. Alan Roehrich, center, and Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Garrett, command team of the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Meritorious Service Medals during a Battle Hand Over ceremony, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Wash., D.C., July 14, 2022.
Ghanaian Partners Visit N.D.
Members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) visited the N.D. National Guard's Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, N.D., from July 17 to 21, 2022. (National Guard story and photo by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program)
While Ghana and the N.D. National Guard are joined by the State Partnership Program, this visit was in cooperation of the U.S. Africa Command’s African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership (APRRP) program. Established in 2015, the APRRP was announced as a targeted, three-to-five-year initiative to help generate and rapidly deploy peacekeepers from six partner countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. The program’s mission is to build, strengthen, and institutionalize capabilities to rapidly respond to crises on the African continent.
The senior GAF visitor was Col. Clement Dingane, commander of Ghana's newly established Army Peacekeeping Operation Training School (APOTS). Dingane discussed capabilities and responsibility of APOTS to train Ghana Armed Forces troops in preparation of their deployment to United Nations peace keeping missions.
Ghanian Armed Forces Engineer Training School lead survey instructor Warrant Officer 1 Hans Odoom, right, listens to Sgt. Andrew Weber, surveying student (MOS 12T), 164th Regional Training Institute, Camp Grafton Training Center, July 18, 2022.
The GAF organizes units with Soldiers from across their force to man one-year peacekeeping missions in countries like Congo, Mali, South Sudan, Lebanon, and Yemen. APOTS builds effective and trained units to successfully conduct these high-visibility UN missions.
“Camp Grafton Training Center is the perfect place to bring the GAF to learn all about training readiness, stated Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program. “The relationship the N.D. National Guard has built with Ghana's Engineer Training School pays great dividends to both our organizations.”
Also visiting CGTC, Lt. Col. Max Appoh, commander of the Ghanaian Engineer Training School (ETS) and his lead survey instructor toured the 164th Regional Training Institute (RTI). He learned of the RTI's capabilities and training techniques and was specifically briefed on survey and heavy horizontal engineer equipment that the EST is expected to receive in 2023.
1st. Sgt. Groven, kneeling, 164th Regional Training Institute, demonstrates equipment with the help with 2nd Lt. Denis Duku, 426th Signal Company, to Ghanaian Armed Forces (GAF) officers, Camp Grafton Training Center, July 18, 2022. GAF officers left to right are Col. Clement Dingane, Lt. Col. Max Appoh, and Warrant Officer 1 Hans Odoom.
The 164th RTI, is prepared to support new equipment training for the heavy horizontal equipment. This equipment includes an Engagement Skills Trainer, Trimble survey equipment, and heavy horizontal engineer including the Caterpillar D7 bulldozer, grader, hydraulic excavator (HYEX), vibratory roller, and water truck.
“The Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) will be a great addition to the Army Peacekeeping Operation Training School toolkit and will better prepare our GAF units to successfully deploy in support of United Nations peacekeeping missions,” states Col. Dingane, commander, APOTS.
1st Sgt. Mike Groven, center and 2nd Lt. Denis Duku, 426th Signal Company, far right, demonstrate the setup of the Engagement Skills Training equipment, Camp Grafton Training Center, July 18, 2022. Left to right are Ghanaian officers, Col. Clement Dingane, Lt. Col. Max Appoh, and Warrant officer 1 Hans Odoom.
Officer Candidate Training Visit
Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, N.D. deputy adjutant general, and other N.D. National Guard leaders, visited 19 Officer Candidates (12 from OCS Class 65 Phase 3, 7-OCS Class 66 Phase 1) training at Officer Candidate School in Fort Meade (Phase 1) and Camp Rapid (Phase 3) in South Dakota on July 20, 2022.
The training is designed to challenge the officer candidates mentally and physically. The candidates will be tested on their leadership ability, tactical knowledge, and endurance as they are prepared to become commission officers in the North Dakota Army National Guard.
ESGR Boss Lunch
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the N.D. Air National Guard 119th Wing, and the Fargo Military Affairs Committee Hosted an employer military awareness luncheon and tour at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., July 21, 2022.
Col. Chris Domitrovich, 119th Wing vice commander, provides an informational briefing to civilian employers of unit members at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., July 21, 2022. He thanked the employers of National Guard members for their support and to them about the benefits of hiring military.
The event was sponsored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program and hosted at the Air National Guard Base.
Col. Chris Domitrovich, 119th Wing vice commander, provides an informational briefing to civilian employers of unit members at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., July 21, 2022. He thanked the employers of National Guard members for their support and to them about the benefits of hiring military.
Tech. Sgt. Andrew Glynn, an explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) technician in the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron, discusses his training and experiences as he demonstrates a high-tech explosives ordnance disposal robot to civilian and business leaders at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, July 21, 2022.
The civilian business and organizational leaders enjoyed lunch and a tour of the base which included demonstrations of training activities and high-tech equipment used by their National Guard member employees. Also discussed was the Happy Hooligans' contributions to national defense.
A group of N.D. Air National Guard members, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR) and civilian business and organizational leaders gather for a photo at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, July 21, 2022.
N.D. Army Guard Musicians Conduct Annual Training
The 188th Army Band conducted its annual training at Camp Grafton Training Center on July 13 to 17, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Range Operations
The 188th Army Band conducted range operations at Camp Grafton Training Center on July 15, 2022. The purpose is to keep soldiers ready and qualified with the M4 carbine.
Parade Marching Practice
Band Members Participate in New Army Physical Fitness Test
The 188th Army Band conducted the Army Combat Fitness Test at Camp Grafton Training Center on July 14, 2022. The purpose of the test is to evaluate overall Soldiers' strength and agility.
Suicide Intervention Training
The N.D. National Guard and Bismarck State College hosted Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) at Bismarck State College July 18 and 19, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Maj. Kalli Swenson, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, discusses the importance of the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) program and the roles ASIST members have at Bismarck State College, July 18, 2022.
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid and prevention. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may be at risk of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.
Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training as a prerequisite to attend the workshop. These techniques can be learned and used by anyone although its always advisable to seek professional assistance as soon as possible.
Sgt. 1st Class Grant Semchenko, N.D. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, discusses the Pathway for Assisting Life during Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training at Bismarck State College, July 18, 2022.
ASIST participants included staff members of Bismarck Staff College, Bismarck Police Department, N.D. Highway Patrol, United Tribes Technical College, Shiloh Christian High School, Community Options, Youth Works and members of the N.D. National Guard.
Former Adjutant General’s Family Visits Fraine Barracks
Twenty-two family members of former N.D. adjutant general, Maj. General La Clair Melhouse, visited the N.D. National Guard headquarters at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, N.D., July 18, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Major General La Claire A. Melhouse served as N.D. adjutant general from 1962 to 1975. During World War II, he mobilized with Minot-based B Battery, 188th Field Artillery. Later he attended Officer Candidate School and was assigned to active duty with the 82nd Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division in the South Pacific. He also mobilized with a U.S. Army Reserve unit during the Korean War in 1951, then re-joined the N.D. National Guard in 1955. He commanded the 164th Engineer Battalion during the mobilization for the Berlin Crisis 1961 to 1962. He was appointed as adjutant general in 1962 by N.D. Gov. William Guy after the unexpected death of Maj. Gen. Heber L. Edwards.
Melhouse passed away in 2004 and his wife, Edith, passed away Jan. 19, 2022. She was interned at the N.D. Veterans Cemetery on July 16, 2022, an observance that brought Melhouse family members to the Bismarck-Mandan area.
Major General La Claire A. Melhouse, N.D. adjutant general, 1962 to 1975.
During their visit, the Melhouse family viewed the colors carried by the 1st North Dakota Infantry Regiment honor guard in 1900 after the unit returned from the Philippine Insurrection. The original flag carried by the 1st N.D. Volunteers in the Philippines in 1899 is on display at the North Dakota Heritage Center. That flag was presented to the 1911 N.D. Legislature to serve as a model for the design of the current state flag.
James Melhouse, right, son of former N.D. adjutant general, Maj. General La Clair Melhouse, discusses the adjutant general quarters where he used to live as a child with other members of the Melhouse family at Fraine Barracks, July 18, 2022. He explained how N.D. State game and fish personnel, with the assistance of on-post resident Sgt. Maj. Richard Schell, once removed a rattlesnake and her eggs from the porch.
The Major General LaClaire Melhouse collection within the N.D. National Guard historical holdings includes a World War II footlocker, books, uniforms, photos, and a 12” mounted bell.
Retired Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard historian, shows family members of former N.D. adjutant general, Maj. General La Clair Melhouse, his foot locker during a tour of Fraine Barracks, July 18, 2022.
Other Melhouse collection artifacts include his World War II cavalry jodhpurs, riding boots with spurs, and campaign hat. Jim Melhouse recalled that the 1st Cavalry Divison still had horses in 1942, and his dad’s first assignment was working with these animals because of his farming background.
Retired Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard historian shows family members of former N.D. adjutant general, Maj. General La Clair Melhouse, some of his uniforms during a tour, Fraine Barracks, July 18, 2022.
Adventure Camp
The NDNG Child and Youth Program held its biggest and last camp of 2022, the Military Adventure Camp at Wesley Acres near Dazey, N.D., July 17 to 21, 2022. (National Guard story by Mandy Malo, N.D. National Guard child and youth coordinator) (National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
There were about 75 youth attendees and 14 volunteer squad leaders. The kids participated in squad challenges, drill and formation, flag folding, team building activities, zip lining, and kayaking. They challenged themselves on the high ropes course and climbing wall by cheering each other on.
The older youth experienced survival classes such as fire starting, shelter construction, building a water still, karaoke challenge, archery, wood burning craft, resiliency classes and water safety in the outdoor pool.
The younger youth participated in parachord making, archery, scavenger hunt fun, ping pong launchers, STEM and photography classes, and how to be a leader and a good follower. Camp activities culminated with a talent show and a glow in the dark dance party.
STEAM Camp
NDNG Child and Youth Program hosted Military STEAM Camp on the campus of N.D. State University (NDSU), July 10 to 12, 2022. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. (National Guard story by Mandy Malo, N.D. National Guard child and youth coordinator) (National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Sam Kroll, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
They learned about planes, operating drones and trying flight simulators at the Fargo Air Museum. They also participated in art classes at the Plains Art Museum, and tested their resiliency skills at the Ninja Academy Obstacle Course. About 40 military youth attended with six volunteer squad leaders supported by a registered nurse.
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