An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Dec. 18, 2008

ND Air Guard cops deploy to missile fields for first time

By Capt. Penny Ripperger North Dakota National Guard

Minot, N.D. - Today the 219th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) of the North Dakota Air National Guard will dispatch personnel into the missile fields at Minot Air Force Base for the first time.

"Putting guardsmen into the field to work side by side with the active duty is a significant accomplishment, and it would not be happening without the exceptional Airmen of the 219th, who have shown unwavering dedication to their mission," said North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven.

Army Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard said the Airmen have prepared and trained for this mission. "This marks a milestone, and the North Dakota National Guard looks to the future through this exceptional partnership with the Minot Air Force Base."

This mission was made possible when the unit received Headquarters Air Force approval of their Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) for full-time Air Guard members earlier this month.

"To be PRP approved means that we have implemented all of the necessary procedures and requirements set forth by the Secretary of Defense and the Air Force to ensure only the most reliable Airmen fill positions associated with missile field security," said Master Sgt. Lonnie Ballweg, the 219th SFS's senior medical technician. "(It) is significant because it allows full-time Guardsman of the 219th to conduct mission specific training and support the 91st Missile Wing in day-to-day training and surge requirements."

Staff Sgt. John Chalupa and Airman 1st Class Erik Foss will be the first PRP certified Airmen to deploy into the missile field.

"(They) are leading the way within the 219 SFS the same way that the 219th itself is leading the way in the nation," said Col. Robert Becklund, 119th Wing commander. "Guardsmen working alongside active duty airmen on a daily basis is the future and that is exactly what we're doing in Minot."

Currently, the 219th SFS is working with Headquarters Air Force to establish a special plan using traditional or part-time guardsman in the PRP program.

"We've had to overcome many hurdles, which are expected when you're forging your way in new territory," said Lt Col Tad Schauer, the 219th SFS commander. "We could not have done this without the support and commitment of Team Minot. No one has ever done anything like this before, and we are working together to ensure it gets done right the first time."

The relatively new squadron celebrated its official activation on Oct. 18, but recruiters began filling the 140 positions in April 2007. Once fully staffed, the 219th SFS will be the largest Air Guard security forces squadron in the nation.

"It is very exciting because we just hit the halfway point in filling the positions in the 219th SFS," said Master Sgt. Tanya Augdaul, a 219th SFS recruiter. "We are right on target for our recruiting goals, but we're not slowing down. We need to keep working hard to make sure people know that there are Air National Guard opportunities in the western part of the state."

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army Pvt. Fatmata Kaikai, assigned to the 1067th Composite Truck Company, 228th Motor Transport Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, climbs a rope during an obstacle course July 22, 2025, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. The obstacle course challenges Soldiers’ physical stamina and is usually a precursor to the Air Assault School.
Pennsylvania Guard Completes Confidence Course
By Capt. Angela Clemons, | July 23, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa.— Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 213th Regional Support Group pushed their physical and mental limits when they completed a confidence course July 22.The event brought together...

Members of the 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron's (CES) electrical systems shop and 374th CES electrical systems shop work together to enable safe replacement of a damaged airfield sequence flashing light on Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 3, 2025. During a deployment for training (DFT), the 102nd CES integrated with its active-duty counterparts within the 374th CES to accomplish hands-on training during a series of key base enhancement projects
Massachusetts Air Guard Squadron Completes Deployment for Training in Japan
By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy, | July 23, 2025
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan - The Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron completed a deployment for training, or DFT, July 1-12 on Yokota Air Base, Japan. Members integrated with their active component...

U.S. Air Force dental technician completes a dental X-ray for a local resident during Operation Healthy Tennessee, Rhea County Middle School, Evensville, Tenn., July 10, 2025. Operation Healthy Tennessee provides no-cost medical, dental, vision and veterinary services to the residents of Bledsoe and Rhea County, as well as the surrounding areas while satisfying training requirements for active-duty, reserve and Air National Guard service members and units.
Operation Healthy Tennessee: Where Readiness Meets Relief
By Staff Sgt. Sarah Stalder Lundgren, | July 22, 2025
EVENSVILLE, Tenn. - More than 200 service members from the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Navy Reserve and U.S. Air Force Reserve participated in Operation Healthy Tennessee, part of the...