DOMESTIC OPERATIONS/MOBILIZATIONS Fiscal year 2021 proved to be another busy year for Domestic Operations and mobilizations. Federal mobilizations were in support of homeland security and overseas in support of combatant commanders. Within the state during FY21, the NDNG conducted several missions in support of the state’s whole-of-government approach to combating the COVID-19 pandemic and wildland fire fighting. The NDNG continued COVID-19 mission support, which began in March 2020. As of Sept. 30, 2021, the NDNG has: • Logged 568 days • Logged 122,483 personnel days • Administered 486,184 COVID-19 tests • Vaccinated 5,233 civilians • Hosted 23 mobile testing sites In response to the statewide drought, the NDNG activated 35 service members, supported by five UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and three mobile ground-suppression units. To amplify our state’s wildland fire readiness, 20 Guard members earned their Red Card Certification, 11 of which were activated in direct support of the North Dakota Forest Service. In summary, the NDNG: • Responded to 13 wildland fires • Distributed 108,194 gallons of water via helicopter • Logged 539 personnel days • Had 98 personnel days on standby
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Office of the Adjutant General
The 81st CST conducted 13 training exercises to improve their capability to support civil authorities during emergencies by partnering with state agencies and local law enforcement. Additionally, the CST responded to three missions, two of which included assistance to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The NDNG conducted a blizzard response exercise to refine natural disaster response procedures, synchronizing the Joint Operations Center (JOC) with local civil agencies and subordinate units. In January, the NDNG deployed Guard members to Washington D.C. to provide security in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration. This consisted of a contingent of 130 MP Soldiers led by the 816th MP Company, including Soldiers from the 191st MP Company and 131st MP Battalion. Twenty members of the 81st CST were also deployed. Airmen of the 119th Wing assisted in Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), a Department of Homeland Security program aiding Afghan resettlement in the United States. Twenty-seven NDNG Airmen deployed to Volk Field, Wisconsin, and Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst, New Jersey, to assist in this mission. The 119th Operations Group (OG) fulfilled an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request, sending one Airman to March Air Force Base (AFB) for four days in support of California wildland fire fighting. The Happy Hooligans of the 119th Wing experienced one of their busiest mobilization periods by deploying about 125 Airmen overseas in support of combatant commands.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Drew Vinchattle pilots a North Dakota Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near the Washington Monument during a training flight while on duty in the National Capital Region, April 27, 2021.
