North Dakota Air National Guard welcomes newest general officer

Photo By David Lipp | Brig. Gen. Robert Becklund was promoted Dec. 5 to that rank during a ceremony held at the Air National Guard base in Fargo. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp/Released)  

FARGO, ND, UNITED STATES

12.05.2015

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

FARGO, N.D. - Robert Becklund, a native of West Fargo, North Dakota, was promoted today to the rank of brigadier general, becoming one of only six general officers within the ranks of the North Dakota National Guard. A promotion ceremony was held at the Air National Guard base in Fargo, where family members, Guard leaders and Airmen of the 119th Wing - known as the Happy Hooligans - looked on.

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, presided over the promotion ceremony. He reminded onlookers that promotions to general officer ranks are infrequent and reserved for only the highest leadership positions within the U.S. military.

"Today is a very special occasion," Sprynczynatyk said. "To put in perspective the grandness of this event, less than 1 percent of the American population serves in the military, and of that 1 percent, less than 1 percent become a general officer."

Becklund, who began his military career by enlisting in the North Dakota Air National Guard in May 1982 as a flight simulator technician, earned his commission in September 1983 from the Air National Guard's Academy of Military Science, where he was recognized as a distinguished graduate. He went on to become commander of the Happy Hooligans and currently serves as the chief of staff for the N.D. Air National Guard.

"Gen. Becklund has excelled at everything his state and country has asked of him," Sprynczynatyk said. "He is very deserving of this new rank, and I have no doubt he will wear it with the same honor and integrity he has displayed over his successful 33-year career in the North Dakota National Guard."

As the commander of the 119th Fighter Wing (as the unit was called at the time), he oversaw the extremely successful and unprecedented realignment of the unit from its F-16 fighter jet mission into three entirely new missions: The launch of MQ-1 Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft, C-21 Operational Support Airlift, and an active duty-associate Security Forces Squadron at Minot Air Force Base.

Outside of the National Guard, Becklund works full-time as the executive director of Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Previously, he completed an assignment with the U.S. Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft Task Force at the Pentagon, where he served as their chief of current capabilities.

Becklund, who has three sons with his wife, Dollie, has also had a very distinguished flying career. After graduating at the top of his undergraduate pilot class, he went on to achieve a command pilot rating, flying eight different aircraft and accumulating nearly 4,000 flying hours. He participated in two U.S. Air Force William Tell Weapons Meets, taking first place in 1994.

Becklund graduated from North Dakota State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in electronic and electrical engineering. In October of this year, he was inducted into the West Fargo High School Hall of Fame.

--

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 4,200 Soldiers and over 2,600 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. About 70 percent of all members serving today have joined since that time. Currently, about 20 North Dakota Guardsmen are mobilized for overseas and domestic service. With a total force of about 4,100 Guardsmen, the North Dakota National Guard remains ready for stateside response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that's more than four times the national average.

• Date Taken: 12.05.2015
• Date Posted: 12.05.2015 17:19
• Story ID: 183572
• Location: FARGO, ND, US
• Hometown: WEST FARGO, ND, US