Guard leader to retire after 35 years in military

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota National Guard leader is retiring after 35 years of service.

Col. Michael Wobbema, of Bismarck, is the guard's director of joint staff. He is a former commander of the 119th Fighter Wing Alert Detachment 1, and the 119th Maintenance Group.

Wobbema was honored recently with several awards, including the Legion of Merit.

The Casselton native began his career in 1976 with the U.S. Air Force. He has more than 2,300 flight hours and is rated as a command pilot.

Wobbema served as director of the Iraqi Air Force Training School while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Wobbema says he will continue working on flood recovery through the end of the year.

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