BISMARCK, N.D. - Col. Michael A. Wobbema, North Dakota National Guard's director of joint staff was honored at a retirement ceremony on Nov. 19 after more than 35 years of military service. Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, presided over the ceremony, held at the Guard's Raymond J. Bohn armory. Wobbema was accompanied by his wife, Tracie, and other family members.
Wobbema received several awards, including the Legion of Merit. He also received a certificate of appreciation for his service in the armed forces from the President and a National Guard Bureau certificate of service. His wife, Tracie, received a certificate of appreciation for her support during Wobbema's long military career.
In his farewell speech, Col. Wobbema advised his audience to "Set goals that are difficult - and then go after them." He also thanked the Guard members present for their service to the nation.
Wobbema plans to continue working on flood recovery through the end of the year.
Wobbema served in the U.S. Air Force from 1976-1978 while stationed at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. After transferring to the North Dakota Air National Guard, he served as an F-4 crew chief. He earned his commission as a 2nd Lt. as a distinguished graduate from the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, and then completed undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, in 1985. Wobbema has over 2,300 flight hours and is rated as a command pilot. He initially flew the F-4 Phantom II, followed by the F-16, and has also flown T-41, T-37 and T-38 aircraft.
Wobbema served in a variety of operational roles, including chief, programming and scheduling, instructor and evaluator pilot, and operations plans officer. During duty at the National Guard Bureau, he directed counterdrug missions for the U.S. Air Force, including "Operation Coronet Nighthawk" at Howard Air Force Base, Panama and Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. He later commanded the North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Fighter Wing Alert Detachment 1, Langley Air Force Base, then the 119th Maintenance Group, 119th Fighter Wing, Fargo, N.D.
Wobbema is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as Director of the Iraqi Air Force Training School, and Deputy Group Commander, 370th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group, Taji Air Base, Iraq. Later he was assigned as the Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff, Coalition Air Force Transition Team, Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq, Phoenix Base, Baghdad, Iraq.
Wobbema's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
Wobbema is a native of Carrington, N.D., and lives in Bismarck with wife.