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 | March 12, 2010

Army, Air Guard directors visit North Dakota

By Staff Sgt Amy Willson North Dakota National Guard

FARGO, N.D., - The directors of the Army and Air National Guard were here today visiting with nearly 500 North Dakota Guard members, who are gathered for the Professional Development Workshop and Combined Associations Conference.

Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the director of the Air Guard, told the audience that as the Army and Air Guard have become more operational in recent years, the ties between the communities they support every day have grown stronger.

"A lot of that has to do with the value that the National Guard adds to America," he said.

Wyatt highlighted the difference between his experience returning from Vietnam and how Soldiers and Airmen are treated today as they serve their country overseas.

Part of the change comes about by the National Guard's interaction in their communities, he said.

Further value is demonstrated by the individual Guardsmen, who have a wealth of military and civilian experience. The average length of service for a Guardsman is 18 years. It's about half that time for those serving on active duty.

Also, Guardsman are only paid when needed, Wyatt said, which makes them a good .... for the states.

Additional value comes in sharing resources. Sixty-two of the 88 flying wings in the Air Guard operate out of municipal or civilian airports, where Guardsmen and civilians are able to use the same infrastructure.

Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter, the acting director of the Army Guard, reminded the Guardsmen that "we're a constitutionally-based organization that's 373 years old," but things have changed greatly over that time.

"Over 60 percent of our formations have now deployed and have combat patches," he said.

Those formations are full, too. Carpenter said strength levels across the Army National Guard have gone from their lowest in July 2005 to exceeding end strength goals in this last several fiscal years.

He added that strength has been maintained at a high levels even as Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen have fought in two wars.

Carpenter acknowledged the many people in the room, who have contributed to the progress that has taken place in Iraq. By Sept. 1, the mission currently known as Operation Iraqi Freedom will be referred to as Operation New Dawn to reflect the changes there.

Rather than a drawdown, Afghanistan has seen an increase in troop levels and, in turn, a greater impact.

"We're going to see a larger involvement by the National Guard in Afghanistan," Carpenter said.

He highlighted the Agribusiness Development Teams as a "value-added" mission that will help combat the insurgency. The teams, mostly filled with Guardsmen who farm at home, teach Afghan farmers improved methods for planting and harvesting their crops to make them more self-sufficient.

Carpenter stressed the need for equipment in making these missions a success, but said "we have more modern equipment in the Army National Guard than we've ever had before."

Funding for that equipment "is the best insurance this nation can buy for disaster response," he said - something else with which North Dakota Guardsmen are familiar and again preparing for as the threat of flooding in the state increases.

Beyond value, Wyatt offered the Guardsmen advice on advancing their military career. He told them to get out of their comfort zone, read and study and seek joint opportunities.

He said joint experience will expand their understanding of the operational force, which is how the U.S. military works these days - side-by-side with other branches of the armed forces.

He also challenged the Airmen in the room to set high goals.

"It's easier for a Guardsman to become president of the United States, which has been done 20 times by the way, than to become command chief of the Air Force ... which has never happened. Isn't that something?" Wyatt asked.

It's a challenge, but one that North Dakotans can handle. Wyatt expressed pride in how the North Dakota Air Guard has handled previous challenges, such as transitioning from the F-16 fighter mission to Predator unmanned aerial vehicles and C-21 Lear Jets and standing up the 219th Security Forces Squadron in Minot, which works alongside active-duty Airmen.

 

 

Related Articles
President Santiago Peña, the President of the Republic of Paraguay, left, presents the Order of Merit
Paraguayan President Awards Top Honor to Massachusetts National Guard General
By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy, | April 29, 2025
ASUNCION, Paraguay – U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, has been awarded the distinguished Order of Merit “Gral Div Bernardino Caballero” in the grade of “Gran Cross”...

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle crew chief from the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field assists an F-15 pilot with pre-flight gear checks during exercise Sentry Aloha at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 15, 2025. Maintenance crews during Sentry Aloha met and exceeded the line standards given during flight operations and took on additional duties which contributed to over 20 successful familiarization flights. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Reed)
Oregon Air Guard Participates in Sentry Aloha Exercise
By Master Sgt. Daniel Reed, | April 29, 2025
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Six F-15 Eagles and about 120 Airmen from the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Ore., journeyed across the Pacific Ocean to Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam,...

Tech. Sgt. Megan Brasley, a deployed aircraft vehicle data operations specialist originally assigned to the 124th Maintenance Group, Idaho Air National Guard, FaceTimes with her family while deployed in support of overseas operations, April 7, 2025. As the Department of Defense celebrates the Month of the Military Child, the Idaho Air National Guard honors military children like Brasley’s sons, Ryker and Rhett, who demonstrate resilience through the challenges of military life. Programs and initiatives led by the Airman and Family Readiness Office aim to support military families year-round, recognizing the sacrifices and strength of these young heroes.
Honoring Military Children: The Resilience of Military Families
By Tech. Sgt. Mercedee Wilds, | April 29, 2025
BOISE, Idaho – April marks the Department of Defense’s annual observance of the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the unique challenges and enduring resilience of children of military members. With more than...