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 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.

Staff Sgt. Lucas Greff, 816th Military Police Company, demonstrates correct hand placement when holding a crowd control shield during civil disturbance response training in the parking lot of the FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, Jan. 18, 2021.

Thirteen Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group (ISRG) members were mobilized in support of various active duty missions. Two Airmen supported OAW at Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst, New Jersey, for a combined total of 130 days. Two Airmen provided operational support to the 201st Mission Support Squadron. Four Airmen provided operational intelligence support at Fort Meade, Maryland. Two 176th IS Airmen participated in the Southern Strike and Dakota Strike Exercises.

The 119th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) deployed 13 Defenders to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, in support of Operation Spartan Shield to conduct force protection, pass and identification operations, joint security coordination center process, and operations section chief duties to protect combat assets. Five Defenders were forward deployed in support of OAW to conduct refugee camp security and fly-away security team duties. The 119th SFS also deployed three Defenders to Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst, New Jersey, in support of OAW.

The 119th Civil Engineer Squadron deployed 56 Airmen to nine different locations throughout Central Asia and North Africa.

Three Airmen from the 119th Medical Group deployed to support reserve component period 6 (RCP6) locations. One physician and two medics deployed to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), to provide aid to Afghan evacuees during OAW. Nine 219th SFS personnel deployed to the United Arab Emirates.

Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment (Assault) mobilized 73 Soldiers for duty in the National Capital Region (NCR), November 2020. The unit flew 10 Black Hawk helicopters to the NCR for the nine-month mission ending summer 2021. While on mission, the unit was tasked with Fallen Hero flights and air transport missions.

The 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment mobilized 225 Soldiers for duty in the NCR. The unit assumed the NCR Ground-Based Air Defense mission during the fourth quarter of FY21 and is scheduled to be the first ADA unit to be on NCR duty for 365 days.

The 835th Engineer Detachment mobilized 55 Soldiers for Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve in support of CENTCOM. The Soldiers mobilized August 2021 for a year-long mission and conducted their pre-mobilization training at Fort Bliss, Texas.

815th Engineer Company (EN CO) improved the Tri-County Fairgrounds and Speedway in Wishek, North Dakota, by upgrading the incoming road, leveling the parking area, renovating and building restrooms as part of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Community Assistance Program.