119th Wing

The 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard (NDANG), is located in Fargo, North Dakota, adjacent to Hector International Airport.

Mission

119th Wing Mission is to provide trained and ready Airmen executing world class MQ-9 precision attack and reconnaissance, kinetic and non-kinetic target intelligence production, and expeditionary support capabilities for the nation and state.

Organization

The 119th Wing consists of four groups, each responsible for a distinct mission. The 119th Operations Group operates the MQ-9 Reaper. The unit includes a Mission Control Element and Launch and Recovery Element and is comprised of three squadrons: 178th Attack Squadron, 119th Operations Support Squadron, and 119th Maintenance Squadron.

The 119th Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance Group (ISRG) produces timely, high quality kinetic and non-kinetic targeting intelligence solutions and all source finished intelligence analysis in support of global combatant commander deliberate planning efforts and overseas contingency operations. Slated to reach full operational capability in FY2018, the ISRG is the wing’s newest mission and includes the 176th Intelligence Squadron, 177th Intelligence Squadron, and 119th Intelligence Support Squadron.

The 119th Mission Support Group provides security, fire protection, civil engineering, communications support, contracting, logistics, services, and personnel support. The group includes five squadrons: 119th Security Forces Squadron, 119th Force Support Squadron, 119th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and 119th Civil Engineering Squadron, all of which are collocated with the wing. The fifth squadron, the 219th Security Forces Squadron based at Minot AFB, ND, provides additional security for Minot AFB’s 91st Missile Wing.

The 119th Medical Group provides medical support for the wing as well as providing expeditionary healthcare support.

Aircraft & Training

The 178th Attack Squadron flies the state-of-the-art MQ-9 Reaper. The MQ-9 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance aircraft capable of precision attack and reconnaissance.

The majority of wing personnel complete training during Unit Training Assemblies (UTAs) and annual training (AT) periods. UTAs are performed one weekend each month while annual training periods are performed 15 days throughout the year. Guardsmen frequently receive additional training opportunities throughout the year to further enhance their skillsets.


Personnel

The 119th Wing is authorized 1,195 personnel. Of the wing’s 431 full-time employees, 191 are Active Guard Reserve (AGR) personnel, 240 are Title 32 federal technicians, and 26 are state personnel.

Miscellaneous

The NDNG 81st Civil Support Team provides 24/7 rapid deployment capabilities to assist civilian responders in the event of a suspected weapon of mass destruction incident. Furthermore, in 2004 the North Dakota National Guard began a State Partnership Program with Ghana, Africa. The partnership program expanded in 2014 with the additions of the African countries of Togo and Benin. The 119th Wing routinely conducts exchange programs to foster deeper partnerships with these nations.