News Releases for July 2006
July 12, 2006
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Hoeven: Adjutant General Mike Haugen To Retire, Sprynczynatyk Named North Dakota Adjutant General
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today announced the retirement of Adjutant General Michael Haugen effective the end of August 2006 after a distinguished 39-year career serving the North Dakota National Guard. Hoeven named Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk to take the post. Sprynczynatyk will assume his command in a formal ceremony on August 26.
“These distinguished public servants have brought an outstanding set of skills, leadership and experience to their respective positions, and they have enriched our state,” Hoeven said. “Mike Haugen leaves a strong, efficient organization to his successor, and a legacy of accomplishment in both military and civil missions. His service has been greatly appreciated. At the same time, Dave’s knowledge of military issues and emergency response procedures, as well as his engineering background, will be an outstanding asset to the National Guard.”
Haugen enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1967, and has served in various assignments and command positions at the squadron, group, wing and state headquarters. He is the 18th adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and was appointed by Hoeven on Dec. 19, 2000.
Among many key positions over the course of his career, Haugen served as the commander of the 119th Fighter Wing from March 1992 to April 1999. He served with the Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., as an assistant to the Director of Plans before becoming the adjutant general.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, while Haugen served as the adjutant general, more than 3,300 soldiers and airmen of the North Dakota National Guard have served on active duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations, the highest operations tempo the organization has seen since World War I.
Haugen is also responsible to the chief of the National Guard Bureau for providing soldiers and airmen who are trained, equipped and mission-ready to support military deployments worldwide.
“General Haugen leaves an outstanding record of leadership in the North Dakota National Guard, and we extend our best wishes for a happy and active retirement,” Hoeven said. “As adjutant general, he earned a reputation for effectiveness and dedication to his soldiers and airmen. He will be missed.”
“It has been professionally and personally rewarding to be a steward of the North Dakota Guard for the past 39 years,” Haugen said. “I deeply appreciate Governor Hoeven’s leadership, legislative support, and citizen involvement in maintaining an organization that is the highest quality I've experienced as the adjutant general.”
In a letter to members of the North Dakota National Guard announcing his retirement, Haugen said. “It’s been my honor to serve with you and to represent you on a national level. Each of you has performed every mission with pride and professionalism. The global war on terror called you to the service of your country and you responded in a manner second to none.”
Maj. Gen. Haugen, the Governor’s senior military advisor, has presided since 2002 over the Governor’s military task force, TF-MIND, a committee designed to examine current military force structure and missions in our state and to identify, recommend, and promote enhanced military opportunities and partnerships between military and civilian entities. The Task Force composition represents a cross-section of current and retired senior military officers, business and community leaders, as well as higher education and economic development interests.
Maj. Gen. Sprynczynatyk enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard in 1972 and rose through the ranks, holding positions including Assistant Adjutant General of the North Dakota Army National Guard in Bismarck. He has received several decorations including the North Dakota Legion of Merit, the Army Meritorious Service Medal (with one bronze leaf oak cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (with one bronze leaf oak cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (with one silver oak leaf cluster and 3 bronze oak leaf clusters) and the Humanitarian Service Medal (with one bronze service star).
Sprynczynatyk currently serves as North Dakota’s Director of Transportation and Director of Logistics for the National Guard Bureau. Major General Sprynczynatyk graduated from Wilton High School in 1968 and North Dakota State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He started his career in government in 1972 with the State Water Commission, ultimately becoming the State Engineer in 1989. Governor Hoeven appointed him Director of Transportation in 2001.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served with such a fine staff at the North Dakota Department of Transportation,” Sprynczynatyk said. “It has been a fast-paced five years of significant progress. At the same time, I am both humbled and excited at the prospect of serving as North Dakota’s Adjutant General, grateful to Governor Hoeven for his confidence in me, and privileged to follow in the footsteps of Maj. Gen. Mike Haugen. His work to take care of our Guard members during these difficult deployments and his leadership at the national level has been exemplary.”
The Adjutant General guides the preparation of over 4,000 North Dakota Army and Air National Guard citizen soldiers and airmen to respond in times of state or national emergency. As Director of North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (DES), the adjutant general directs and coordinates state and local government agencies when emergencies and natural disasters strike in the state, as well as deterring and, if necessary, leading the states’ response to and recovery from a terrorist attack.
Maj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk Biography
David A. Sprynczynatyk currently serves as North Dakota’s Director of Transportation and as Director of Logistics for the National Guard Bureau. Major General Sprynczynatyk graduated from Wilton High School in 1968 and North Dakota State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He started his career in government in 1972 with the State Water Commission, ultimately becoming the State Engineer in 1989. Governor Hoeven appointed him Director of Transportation in 2001.
General Sprynczynatyk is a Registered Professional Engineer and a member of both the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers. He was elected president of the Western Association of State Highway Transportation Officials in 2005 and currently serves as vice-president of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials.
General Sprynczynatyk enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard in 1972 and rose through the ranks, holding positions including Assistant Adjutant General of the North Dakota Army National Guard in Bismarck. He has received several decorations including the North Dakota Legion of Merit, the Army Meritorious Service Medal (with one bronze leaf oak cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (with one bronze leaf oak cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (with one silver oak leaf cluster and 3 bronze oak leaf clusters) and the Humanitarian Service Medal (with one bronze service star).
General Sprynczynatyk is the past president of the Bismarck Far West Rotary Club and is a member of the executive board of the Northern Lights Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He and his wife Connie live in Bismarck and have two adult children, Thomas and Cathryn.
July 2006
Haugen Biography
Major General Michael J. Haugen, 59, assumed the duties of the Adjutant General of North Dakota on December 19th, 2000. The adjutant general commands 4,500 North Dakota Air and Army National Guard men and women, with approximately 1100 full time federal and state employees. He is responsible for federal and state missions, is the Director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services consisting of two Divisions; the Division of Homeland Security and the Division of State Radio Communications.
The general enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1967 and served in aircraft maintenance. He received his commission in 1970, and completed Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1972. He has served in various assignments and command positions at the squadron, group and wing level. MG Haugen is a command pilot with more than 11,000 hours of flying time. Aircraft flown include: T-37, T-38, F-101, F-4D, C-131, Convair 580, Boeing 737, and F-16.
Education:
- 1970 Bachelor of Arts degree in social science, Minot State College, Minot, ND.
- 1973 Squadron Officer School
- 1977 National Security Management Course
- 1983 Marine Corps Command and Staff
- 1994 Reserve Component National Security Course
- 1996 US Department of State Senior Seminar
- 2001 Harvard Regional Security Program
Assignments:
- Jun 1971 - Jun 1972, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams Air Force Base, AZ.
- Jun 1972 - Aug 1972, pilot, 178th Fighter Squadron, Fargo, ND.
- Aug 1972 - Jan 1973, student, F-101 RTU, Ellington Air Force Base, TX.
- Jan 1973 - Apr1987, pilot, 178th Fighter Squadron, Fargo, ND.
- Apr 1986 - Jun 1989, Squadron Commander of 178th Fighter Squadron, Fargo, ND.
- Jun 89 - Dec 91, Deputy Commander for Maintenance, 119th Fighter Group, Fargo, ND.
- Dec 1991 - Mar 1992, Director of Operations, 119th Fighter Group, Fargo, ND.
- Mar 1992 - Jul 1995, Group Commander, 119th Fighter Group, Fargo, ND.
- Jul 1995 - Jun 1996, student, Senior Seminar, US Department of State, Washington, DC.
- Jun 1996 - Apr 1999, Wing Commander, 119th Fighter Wing, Fargo, ND.
- Apr 99 - Jun 00, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, North Dakota Air National Guard, Fargo, ND.
- Jun 2000 - Dec 2000, Assistant (Reserve Component) to the Director of Plans (J5), Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, CO.
- Dec 2000 - Present, The Adjutant General, ND National Guard, Bismarck, ND.
Flight Information:
- Rating: Command pilot
- Flight hours: More than 11,000
- Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-101, F-4D, C-131, F-16, Convair 580 and Boeing 737
- Pilot wings from: Williams Air Force Base, Ariz.
Major Awards And Decorations:
- Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with eight oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
- Combat Readiness Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
- National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 hourglass devices
- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
- Air Force Training Ribbon
- North Dakota Distinguished Service Medal
- North Dakota Legion of Merit Medal
- North Dakota Meritorious Service Medal
- North Dakota Commendation Ribbon
- North Dakota OCONUS Ribbon
- North Dakota Recruiting Ribbon
- North Dakota Emergency Service Ribbon
- North Dakota Service Ribbon with 3 hourglass devices
- North Dakota Basic Training Ribbon
Other Achievements:
- Distinguished Graduate – Undergraduate Pilot Training, 1972
- Distinguished Graduate - Security Police Officer School, 1974
Effective Dates Of Promotions:
- Second Lieutenant: November 21, 1970
- First Lieutenant: June 29, 1972
- Captain: November 21, 1977
- Major: November 21, 1984
- Lieutenant Colonel: November 23, 1988
- Colonel: December 30, 1991
- Brigadier General: April 30, 1999
- Major General: September 26, 2001
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