Photo By David Lipp | Airman 1st Class Leland Volrath, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, fires an M249B...... read more read more
By 2nd Lt. Eric Jungels
North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs
BISMARCK, N.D. - Today, Jan. 27, 2015, marks the 153rd anniversary of the military organization known now as the North Dakota National Guard. On this day in 1862, Company A, 1st Dakota Cavalry entered service to maintain peace and security throughout the Dakota Territory and northern plains. The unit would soon receive federal recognition and be called to serve alongside troops from other states and territories to ensure the survival of the Union during the Civil War.
For nearly 380 years, across America, citizen-Soldiers and citizen-Airmen of the National Guard have answered the call, rallied around the flag, and risked life and limb when America has needed them. Beyond playing key roles in every conflict in U.S. history, we have become vital to international relations, and the organization has done its part in responding to natural disasters and civil emergencies. It’s quite apparent that the National Guard — a force that is called upon time and time again — has cemented a legacy as an organization that lives up to its motto: “Always ready, Always there.”
Our past
Founded in 1636, the National Guard is the nation's oldest military organization. As a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces, the Guard is comprised of Soldiers and Airmen who serve the country on a part-time basis.
Prescribed by the U.S. Constitution and made up of 54 separate organizations, the Guard provides military units to states, territories and the District of Columbia. The units we provide are well-trained and remain suitably-equipped to protect life and property. Beyond our charge to serve individual states, the Guard also provides trained units to the nation, equipped and ready to defend the United States and its interests all over the globe. This dual mission took effect in 1933 and makes the Guard unique in its makeup, distinctive in its capabilities and extraordinary in its effects.
After Operation Desert Storm, the National Guard saw its federal mission evolve, with more frequent call-ups in response to regional crises in Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo and the skies over Iraq. The Guard also expanded its scope of operations with peacekeeping rotations in the Sinai and the Balkans.
Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, tens of thousands of Guard members have mobilized into federal service to provide security at home and combat terrorism abroad. These men and women served in harm’s way during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and continue to do so in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. From North Dakota alone, we’ve mobilized more than 4,200 Soldiers and nearly 2,600 Airmen in support of the global war on terrorism.
In the largest and swiftest response to a domestic disaster in history, the Guard deployed more than 50,000 troops in support of the Gulf States following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The National Guard continued to assist friends and neighbors at home, even as they endured multiple deployments overseas and continued to train in order to effectively respond to global conflicts and local contingencies.
Warfighting
As a fully-trained fighting force, the National Guard provides invaluable service to the United States. Our seasoned Airmen and Soldiers deploy on order to provide security, promote stabilization and enhance peacekeeping efforts across the globe. We can tackle full-spectrum operations at all echelons, and we do so at tremendous value.
In fact, the Army National Guard provides 39 percent of the U.S. Army’s Forces for 13 percent of the budget. Along the same lines, the Air National Guard provides nearly 31 percent of the fighter capability, 38 percent of the airlift capability and 40 percent of the tanker capability for six percent of the U.S. Air Force budget.
On the ground — in combat zones around the world — the National Guard is seamlessly integrated with active-duty forces. The military efforts of our Soldiers and Airmen is highly regarded, in part, because our education, competencies, and civilian-related skills and work experiences provide for even greater work capacity and enhanced capabilities.
The North Dakota National Guard has a rich history of supporting defense efforts. The illustrious 164th Infantry Regiment made history in October 1942 as the first U.S. Army unit to offensively engage the enemy during WWII, when they reinforced beleaguered Marines at Guadalcanal. Today, our Guardsmen are engaged in and provide significant support for operations at home and abroad.
Developing partnerships
The National Guard is wholly adept at building partnerships that benefit the country and the rest of the world. We’re successfully creating and nurturing relationships with global, national, state and local partners — public and private. To enhance international contingency efforts, we’ve developed and managed an impressive State Partnership Program, and to improve domestic emergency response, we’ve connected with thousands of local organizations, including law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and more.
The National Guard’s State Partnership Program was formed more than 20 years ago. The program provides unique capacity-building capabilities to combatant commanders and U.S. ambassadors through partnerships between U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia and foreign countries. Today, 68 state partnerships are established with 74 countries across the globe.
North Dakota’s partnership with the African nation of Ghana was created in 2004 and focuses mainly on building the peacekeeping capacity of Ghana’s armed forces and defense support to civilian agencies, including the country’s primary national emergency and disaster response organization. Recently, North Dakota became the first state to enter into partnerships with multiple neighboring countries in what has become known as a regionalization concept. Neighboring countries Ghana, Togo and the Republic of Benin, are all now partner countries with North Dakota.
National Guard units also are improving interoperability and coordination with domestic partners. In an effort to improve emergency and disaster response at home, we’re working closely with local, state and national partners like North Dakota’s Department of Emergency Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Protecting the homeland
Protecting citizens at home is one of the National Guard’s highest priorities. Just as we’ve honed competencies in war fighting and become skilled in fostering partnerships, we remain committed to excellence in ensuring the safety and security of our communities.
In times of duress, including weather-related catastrophes, terrorist attacks and civil unrest, the National Guard is the military force of choice to protect people and property. In North Dakota, the National Guard has been called upon a number of times to assist with domestic emergencies and disaster response efforts.
Events in recent years — from statewide flooding and threatened dams to wildfires — have proven that we’re experienced in working with others across our state to provide disaster-related support. From 2009-2011, North Dakota Guardsmen responded to record flooding throughout the state, including in the Red River Valley, Bismarck and Minot. During 2011 flood operations alone, 3,047 members of the National Guard contributed to a battle against floodwaters over a span of 114 calendar days. In total, 66,983 duty days were devoted to flood response operations.
In addition, the North Dakota National Guard’s 81st Civil Support team — one of more than 50 federally funded Guard units across the country that exist to advise and assist civilian responders in the event of a suspected weapon of mass destruction attack — provides 24/7, rapid deployment capabilities to support civil authorities responding to domestic incidents. The 81st CST, which has the capabilities to detect and identify chemical, biological and radiological agents and substances, is able to determine and assess current and potential hazards to people, animals and critical infrastructure.
In July of 2014, the 81st CST responded to an emergency in Williston, where a fire broke out at the site of an oil field supply company. The company’s warehouse, according to state records, “stored dozens of chemicals.” The highly-specialized unit was able to collect and analyze information to assess the hazards of toxic chemicals burning and spreading through the air. Guardsmen monitored the situation and provided critical information to the incident commander and the mayor of Williston. In critical and uncertain situations, our Soldiers and Airmen respond quickly and are dedicated to serving our communities.
Goals
The vision of the North Dakota National Guard is to be a “dynamic, relevant force where everyone is a trained, mentored and empowered leaders.” Our goals as an organization are designed to set us on a path to
achieve that vision, and they align well with the strategic direction priorities of National Guard Bureau leadership in Washington, D.C.
The North Dakota National Guard’s goals include the following:
1) Trained and ready units and leaders
We must prepare our Soldiers, Airmen and units to meet the challenges of the future, while at the same time remaining “always ready, always there” to support federal and state missions on short notice. Personnel and training readiness will be the key to our success. We also will ensure we provide all Soldiers and Airmen with the core skills and leadership competencies that are required to successfully meet the challenges of the future.
2) Build a competitive force positioned for emerging missions
To meet the challenges of tomorrow, we must continually examine and plan how to maintain our force structure, stationing, facilities and end strength, and how we will support federal and state mission requirements. We must meet this challenge to ensure our relevancy in the future.
3) Strengthen the National Guard community
The demands placed upon the National Guard have changed over the past decade, and it is essential that we manage those demands in order to accomplish our missions while preserving the values of family and community. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s well being is critical to our success. We will foster resilient and healthy Soldiers, Airmen, families and civilian employees by embracing a culture of total fitness.
4) Forge and maintain partnerships
For more than 130 years, the N.D. National Guard has supported and partnered with local, state and federal entities. Interagency cooperation is one of the National Guard’s core strengths. We will continue our success by ensuring we build and maintain these important and enduring relationships.
5) Act as effective stewards of our resources
Our values guide us to be good stewards of the resources the American people give us to accomplish our mission. In order to sustain our commitment, we will implement a holistic resource management system to optimize the use of all resources and make resource-informed decisions. As effective stewards of resources, we also will implement innovative, cost-effective approaches to reduce pollution, reverse environmental damage and embrace energy conservation.
Men and women from throughout North Dakota — your neighbors and coworkers — serve proudly in their military uniform. As a reserve force, the National Guard is made up of some of the hardest-working, selfless and most dedicated people on the planet. These Airmen and Soldiers, with the support of their families and employers, are committed to maintaining the level of readiness and professionalism our state and nation have now come to expect. They train hard with the fight in mind, they build relationships knowing the importance of strong, devoted partners, and — in these seemingly constant times of uncertainty — they are standing by, waiting for the call. Take comfort in knowing that the North Dakota National Guard will be “always ready, always there.”
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2015 17:22 |
| Story ID: | 152885 |
| Location: | BISMARCK, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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