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    North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing Command Chief retires

    North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing Command Chief retires

    Photo By David Lipp | Chief Master Sgt. David Harmon speaks to his family, friends and fellow Guardsmen...... read more read more

    FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, UNITED STATES

    09.27.2011

    Courtesy Story

    North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

    FARGO, N.D. - Chief Master Sgt. David Harmon celebrated an end to a distinguished military career Sept. 27. After almost 35 years of military service, Harmon retired from the North Dakota Air National Guard in an outdoor ceremony amongst his family, friends and peers.

    “Chief Harmon has seen a lot of change during the course of his decades-long military career, and his leadership has been instrumental through one of the bigger of those changes,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “When the 119th Wing faced the major challenges that accompanied the transition from a fighter mission to flying the C-21 Learjet and MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft, his guidance as an enlisted leader helped launch the Happy Hooligans into another successful era of service. I sincerely thank him for not only his leadership during that time, but his service throughout the past 30-plus years.”

    Harmon has served as the 119th Wing command chief since May 2009. In this position he served as the enlisted advocate and adviser on readiness, training, professional development, utilization of the force, conduct and quality of life issues pertaining to all assigned enlisted personnel at the 119th Wing.

    “Looking back to 1973 and over 34 years of military service, it will be the last few years that will stand out for me,” Harmon said. “It has been inspiring to watch the men and women of the 119th Wing take on new missions and challenges. They have excelled in every aspect of these challenges, and the Happy Hooligans are used as an example of how to do things right. It has truly been my honor to have served with and been a ‘Happy Hooligan.’”

    Harmon began his military career in 1973 serving eight years with the U.S. Navy as an aviation anti-submarine warfare operator. Since he joined the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1986, he has served in the following capacities prior to his current role as the Wing command chief: command post controller, command post superintendent, chief of base operations, chief of airfield management and air operations chief enlisted manager.

    “It’s been quite some time since I took the Navy oath in 1973. At that time I could never have predicted this journey. Through my service with the Navy and the North Dakota Air National Guard, my fondest memory will be the people I served with,” Harmon said. “From chasing Soviet submarines during the Cold War to the current day mission transformation of the 119 Wing, it will be those people that I will miss most.”

    Harmon attended North Dakota State University where he studied zoology and computer science. His military education consists of graduating from the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in 1992. He also graduated from the U.S. Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in 1998. In 2009, he completed the Air National Guard Chief’s Executive Course followed by the Command Chief Orientation Course at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

    Some of Harmon’s major awards and decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with an “M” Device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol), North Dakota State Commendation Ribbon, North Dakota Air National Guard Outside the Continental U.S. Ribbon, North Dakota National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon, North Dakota National Guard Service Ribbon and the North Dakota National Guard Basic Training Ribbon.

    At today’s ceremony, he also received a Meritorious Service Medal, North Dakota State Legion of Merit, a Presidential Letter of Appreciation and Certificate of Retirement, a letter of appreciation from Gibney along with a U.S. flag that flew over Iraq and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. Harmon’s wife, Sally, also was recognized with a certificate of appreciation.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.27.2011
    Date Posted: 09.27.2011 21:11
    Story ID: 77666
    Location: FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US

    Web Views: 122
    Downloads: 0

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