U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Domitrovich, commander, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, receives the Spaatz Trophy from (left) retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, NGAUS vice chair-Air, and (right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randy Efferson, the acting director of the Air National Guard, at the 148th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, Indiana, Augus 31, 2026. (Photo: North Dakota National Guard)
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (KFGO) – The North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing, known as the “Happy Hooligans,” has been named the top flying unit in the Air National Guard.
The wing received the Spaatz Trophy at the 148th annual National Guard Association of the United States Conference and Exhibition in Indianapolis. Named in honor of Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, the first chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, the award recognizes overall excellence and combat readiness. This marks the fourth time the North Dakota unit has earned the award, following victories in 1950, 2020, and 2022.
“The Spaatz Trophy is a testament to the amazing efforts of our Airmen and their commitment to performing at a high level every day,” said Col. Christopher Domitrovich, 119th Wing commander. “The standard of excellence that our Airmen bring to every aspect of our mission is what makes the North Dakota Air National Guard one of the most capable and mission-ready units in the nation.”
The Hooligans also swept three additional national honors at the event. The unit earned the Winston P. Wilson Trophy as the top flying unit equipped with fighter or reconnaissance aircraft, the William W. Spruance Safety Award for accident prevention, and the John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy for maintaining outstanding flight safety standards.
Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, praised the unit’s sustained performance.
“These awards are the result of the 119th Wing’s culture of excellence,” Johnson said. “The men and women of the 119th Wing consistently prove that they are ready and able to perform when their nation or state call upon them.”
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