Brig. Gen. Mitchell R. Johnson is new adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard

BISMARCK — Gov. Doug Burgum has chosen Brig. Gen. Mitchell R. Johnson as the next adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, the governor’s office said in a news release.

Johnson’s new role takes effect Sept. 15, 2024.

He succeeds Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, who will retire after nearly nine years as adjutant general and more than 40 years of military service, the release said.

Johnson most recently served as commander of the Fargo-based 119th Wing of the North Dakota Air National Guard from March 2021 to January 2024.

Before that, he was vice commander of the wing, nicknamed the “Happy Hooligans,” from August 2018 to March 2021.

As adjutant general, Johnson will lead the North Dakota National Guard, with its 4,200 service members, while continuing strong relationships with Air Force bases in Grand Forks and Minot, the release said.

“I look forward to serving the citizens of North Dakota and building on Maj. Gen. Dohrmann’s outstanding record of leadership, knowing that our National Guard soldiers and airmen and Department of Emergency Services personnel are highly capable, well-trained and well-prepared for any challenge that comes our way,” Johnson said in the release.

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