NOTABLE EVENTS

JOINT LEADERS CONFERENCE

In March, NDNG hosted a Joint Leaders Conference at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck. This three-day event had a limited in-person audience due to COVID-19 restrictions. Approximately 170 personnel attended and the event was livestreamed to an audience of over 200. Speakers included Gov. Doug Burgum; Army Chief of Staff, Gen. James C. McConville; Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass; and best-selling author Simon Sinek.

MEMORIAL DAY

The North Dakota Veterans Cemetery (NDVC) hosted the NDNG annual Memorial Day ceremony. This year’s theme was “Korean War - Never Forgotten”. The ceremony drew approximately 3,000 attendees and was live-streamed.

NORTH DAKOTA VETERANS CEMETERY

The NDVC conducted 667 interments in FY21, including the last Veteran of the 164th Infantry Regiment residing in North Dakota. The 10,000th internment occured on June 4, 2021, with 10,370 conducted by the end of FY21.

WOMEN’S LEADER SUMMIT

The NDNG held its first-ever Women’s Leader Summit in Bismarck, July 21, 2021. The summit, whose theme was “Unleash Your Potential”, was an opportunity for attendees to network, build mentor/mentee relationships and demonstrate appreciation to all the women who work for the NDNG. RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

In August, the Directorate of Facilities Engineering (DFE) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commission the Fargo Readiness Center. This military construction project began in fiscal year 2019 and costs approximately $29.1 million. The facility consists of a 96,000 square foot readiness center, a 59,000 square foot unheated vehicle storage building, a modern fitness training area with a quarter-mile running track, and a helicopter pad. The Fargo Readiness Center houses the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment; 191st MP Company, and various other NDARNG functions.

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

In August, the Happy Hooligans of the 119th Wing hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for a consolidated operations facility at the Fargo Air Base. The $17.5 million project, for use by the 119th OG, is scheduled for construction to begin in the fall of 2022, with expected completion in 2023.

20TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE

On Sept. 11, the adjutant general hosted a ceremony at the North Dakota Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism commemorating the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. The event took place outside of Fraine Barracks in Bismarck and approximately 300 people attended.

Maj. Gen. Giselle “Gigi” Wilz, director of staff, National Guard Bureau, renders remarks at the North Dakota National Guard’s Women’s Leadership Summit, Bismarck, North Dakota, July 22, 2021.