Central ND News

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) held a Change of Command Ceremony today to transfer command leadership from Major General Alan Dohrmann to Brigadier General Mitchell Johnson. Johnson now serves as Adjutant General of the NDNG and Director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES). As Adjutant General, Johnson will lead the NDNG, which has approximately 4,200 service members and facilities in 13 communities.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, attended the ceremony. He expressed his gratitude for Dohrmann’s leadership and commitment to North Dakota and congratulated Johnson on the new position.

“Our North Dakota Guardsmen are the best in the nation at protecting our country and state when called upon,” said Cramer. “Al has worked tirelessly for the men and women under his command and he leaves a profound impact on North Dakota. He will always be a trusted advisor for me. We are grateful for his 40 years of dedication to our state and his remarkable leadership. I look forward to working with Brigadier General Johnson in his new position. I am confident he will serve the people of North Dakota with distinction.”

Johnson served as Commander of the Fargo-based 119th Wing of the North Dakota Air National Guard for three years from 2021 to 2024. He led nearly 1,200 personnel whose missions included flying MQ-9 Reaper aircraft and providing intelligence and targeting. Missions also included accomplishing expeditionary support functions and ensuring missile field security at Minot Air Force Base.

Under Johnson’s leadership, the 119th Wing was presented with the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies' General Atomics Remotely Piloted Aircraft Trophy for 2021. Additionally, the 119th Wing was recognized by the U.S. Air Force as outstanding unit of the year in 2022.

Dohrmann’s retirement follows more than four decades of military service and nearly nine years as Adjutant General. Previously, he served eight years as Deputy Adjutant General. From 2009-2010, Dohrmann was Commanding General of the Multinational Task Force East, which supported the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s mission in Kosovo. His retirement is effective Sept. 30.