North Dakota’s Happy Hooligans Awarded Outstand Unit Award For 17th Time

North Dakota National Guard’s 119th Wing, also known as the Happy Hooligans, receives its 17th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

“To the hooligans, how proud you must be,” says Lt. Gen. Joseph Lengyel, Vice Chief National Guard Bureau.

Happy Hooligans celebrates another year of being presented with the prestigious AOU award, winning the award 17 times, including seven times within the past decade.

“It puts a lot of pressure on you but it’s also so wonderful to work with such amazing people,” says Happy Hooligan, Major Penny Ripperger

The award recognizes units across the active duty Air Force, Reserve and Air National Guard.

North Dakota’s 119th Wing distinguished themselves by exceptional meritorious service or outstanding achievement.

“I think it’s a testimony to North Dakota that there is exceptionalism here,” says North Dakota Congressman Kevin Cramer.

The Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau flew in from Washington D.C for the award ceremony.

“The hooligans are a solution unit. They get things done. They have a work ethic like really no other,” says Lengyel.

Former Commander of the 119th Wing, Colonel Robert Becklund was promoted to Brigadier General during the ceremony.

He attributes his promotion to his platoon.

“You know it takes a village to raise a good child. I also feel it takes a good wing to raise good leadership,” says Brigadier General Robert Becklund.

Over the decades of what seems to become a routine snatching the outstanding unit award, the Happy Hooligans says they will continue to strive for only excellence.

“When you have that standard of excellence that is so high, it almost becomes common place. We expect to be the best of the best,” says Ripperger.

Hooligans credit their administration for the success of the unit.

“We do our jobs day in and day out. We do them well. It’s just a testament to our leadership getting us the training we need to accomplish our mission we do every day,” says Happy Hooligan, Sgt. Chris Wahlberg.

They say the Happy Hooligans is more than just a squad.

They’re a family with the honor of being one of the top units in the nation.