Photo By William Prokopyk | A Black Hawk helicopter lifts off moving into position at the Bismarck Airport,...... read more read more
BISMARCK, N.D. — In the face of fiscal constraints imposed by defense budget cuts through sequestration and, later, a federal government shutdown, the North Dakota National Guard this year upheld its commitment to being “Always Ready, Always There.”
Soldiers and airmen in tandem with their support network of families and employers showed their adaptability in a year riddled with obstacles, including the loss of the North Dakota Air National Guard’s manned flying mission. Despite those challenges, guardsmen across the state garnered accolades, completed and came home from successful overseas missions and remained poised to respond to potential emergencies within North Dakota.
“This past year was filled with challenges as well as opportunities for the North Dakota National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “Our soldiers and airmen once again demonstrated that they are the best in the nation, even when faced with adversity. Whether deployed overseas, protecting the homeland or assisting our communities, our Guard members, as well as their families, serve with pride and distinction.”
Government shutdown
NDNG full-time federal employees went through sequestration this spring, which enacted a series of cuts, including those to defense spending. Soldiers and airmen contended with a number of furlough days from mid-May until the 2014 fiscal year, Oct. 1. On that date, the federal government was shut down for 16 days. For North Dakota, the shutdown resulted in furloughing about 500 federal technicians for less than a week until the Pay our Military Act brought most full-time employees back to work. The government shutdown also resulted in the NDNG canceling October drill across the state.
End of an era
Members of the North Dakota Air National Guard saw the “End of an era” as its last C-21 Lear Jet aircraft left Fargo in late August. The departure signified the end of the unit’s manned flying missions that began in 1947. In September, the Happy Hooligans held ceremonies to observe the organization’s transition to a new intelligence mission.
A number of squadrons were re-designated in preparation for the new mission, including the 119th Maintenance Group, which was re-designated as the 119th Intelligence Group. The 177th Airlift Squadron was re-designated as the 177th Intelligence Squadron. The Airlift Squadron flew the C-21s while the Maintenance Group kept the aircraft operational.
Retired Maj. Gen. Alexander Macdonald, who commanded the Happy Hooligans for 13 years and went on to become the state’s first Air Guard adjutant general, shared recollections from his 45 years of service while commemorating the C-21’s departure during an August ceremony.
“We stand here today at the end of an era and the beginning of new life for the North Dakota Air National Guard,” he said. “Whatever the future holds, the Hooligans will be at the top. We will not give up the traditions [of excellence] we’ve established over the last 66 years.”
New chapters
The NDNG wrote new chapters in its history of excellence, as airmen and soldiers this year continued to serve on overseas deployments and stateside missions. After a nearly three-month hiatus from overseas deployments for the North Dakota Air National Guard, nearly 30 members from the 119th Security Forces Squadron left in late March for a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. A number of individual airmen also were mobilized overseas throughout the year.
After being placed on alert in late 2012 for a potential mission to Afghanistan, soldiers of the Jamestown, N.D.,-based 817th Engineer Company (Sapper) in August learned that they would not be mobilized.
North Dakota Army National Guard units continued to serve overseas, however, including the 191st Military Police Company with its mission in Cuba. More than 90 soldiers with the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper) returned home in March. Additionally, two small units of fewer than 10 soldiers deployed overseas; the 1919th Contracting Team served in Afghanistan and Qatar and Detachment 42, Operational Support Airlift in Afghanistan.
More than 200 additional guardsmen are serving on stateside mobilizations, the bulk of which hail from the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment and are taking part in a National Capital Region mission. Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Security and Support), out of Bismarck, N.D., continue to serve with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the southwest border of the United States in Texas.
Nearly 40 soldiers with the Bismarck-based Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Regiment also departed in October for a yearlong international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. This month, families and friends attended an official send-off ceremony for about 40 members with the 814th Medical Company (Area Support), based in Bismarck, N.D. The soldiers will soon depart for a yearlong mission to Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 12.31.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2013 14:26 |
| Story ID: | 118710 |
| Location: | BISMARK, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 80 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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