Wolverine Guard June 2016

June 2016

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We Need Your Help

We do our best to share Michigan National Guard news but there is always room for improvement - with your help! Send your training news, awesome promotion selfie, and any other unit adventure stories and photos to minationalguard@gmail.com.  As we, the public affairs office staff, travel the state visiting armories, our intent will be to showcase unit-level accomplishments, learn unit history, establish a unit liaison (or two, or three), and to scout out interesting stories and information to share. Please do your part to steer us in the right direction. And never fear, to bend our ear, with event descriptions and other issues that impact the Soldiers, Airmen, families and friends of the Michigan National Guard.

BC

Upcoming Events around the Guard

July 8, 2016 - Retirement Ceremony

July 19 - 20, 2016 - CST event with MSU

August 6 - 20, 2016 - Northern Strike 2016

August 19 - 20, 2017 - Selfridge 100th year anniversary Open House and Air Show

News from Your Guard

We've got answers to Soldiers' most pressing sleeve-rolling questions

This is not a dream. This is not a cruel joke. Sleeve-rolling of the Army Combat Uniform in the Universal Camouflage Pattern, Operational Camouflage Pattern and Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern has really been approved, forcewide.

Sleeve Rollup

The National Guard's Photo of the Day

Michigan National Guard A-10, from the 127th Wing, dispenses flares during a training flight over northern Michigan.

NG Photo of the day

TAG Golf Outting

Maj. Gen. Greg Vadnais addresses over 200 golfers during the annual Tag Golf Outing. The money raised from the event will go to help support efforts in Liberia and Latvia for children's rehabilitation centers and schools. June 28, 2016.

TAG Golf Outting

'Thank you' to Stoneco, Inc.

MIARNG Joint Forces Headquarters' quarry neighbors recently mounted this sign on a loading arm that faces the installation driveway so that every Soldier, Airman, employee and visitor is greeted with gratitude as they drive by. The positive message is so appreciated that we wanted to say 'thank you' for the 'thank you' to Stoneco, Inc., and ask our Facebook friends if anyone has seen similar messages, where and from what businesses or companies - post a photo if you can - lets spread the appreciation throughout Michigan!

Banner

Michigan Air National Guard Completes Pike Live-Fire Exercise

Air National Guard A-10 C model jets from fighter squadrons stationed in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Baltimore were the stars of the exercise. Each air crew was armed with two AGM-65 Maverick missiles as well as 300 rounds for the 30mm cannon. The precision missiles lock onto their targets and explode below the water’s surface making minimal effects outside of the water.

Pike Live-Fire Wrap-up

Heroic Huey pilot to receive Medal of Honor five decades later

Congratulations to Ypsilanti-resident, retired Lt. Col. Charles Kettles for being awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic acts performed during the Vietnam War. The White House announced Tuesday afternoon that Kettles would receive the award from President Obama on July 18. For more information on Kettles, check out this article that was put together by USAToday.

LTC Kettles

127th Wing land A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft on the Jagala Highway, east of Tallinn, Estonia

A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., land on the Jagala Highway, east of Tallinn, Estonia, on June 20, 20...16. The A-10s landed on the highway as part of Saber Strike 2016, a 14-nation military exercise based in the Baltic nations on Estonia and Latvia. The A-10s, operated by the 107th Fighter Squadron, landed and took off from the highway to showcase the ability of the U.S. Air Force to work closely with European allies to respond to a variety of contingencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Master Sgt. David Kujawa)

A-10

Missile Defense Agency open house

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the Michigan Army National Guard, will host public open house meetings on June 21 at Lakeview Middle School, 300 South 28th Street, Battle Creek, Michigan, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on June 23 at Richland Community Center, 9400 East Cd Avenue, Richland, Michigan, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a potential Continental United States Interceptor Site at Fort Custer Training Center, Michigan.

MDA

BG Slocum visits Silmala

U.S. Brigadier General John Slocum, 127th Wing Commander of the Michigan Air National Guard, visited Silmala today to see the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) Humanitarian Civic-Assistance (HCA) project to insulate the façade and roof of the Silmala kindergarten in Latvia’s Rezekne region.

127th in Latvia

Michigan National Guard Aviation supports ‘Bucket List’ request for local youngster

Aviators from the Michigan National Guard provided support to a “Bucket List” request Wednesday by conducting a static display in his backyard. A Blackhawk crew from the Grand Ledge-based Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, landed in Howell, Mich., the hometown of Conrad Huntley, so he and his family and friends could see the helicopter and crew up close. Conrad is dealing with an undiagnosed tumor and some loved ones requested the event as a way to cheer him up.

Bucket List

MING Soldiers participate in NATO exercise with Danish Home Guard Forces

Members of the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, recently participated in a large scale Danish led NATO exercise. Following a week of training which focused on individual marksmanship and squad level movement techniques, Michigan National Guard Soldiers joined forces with Danish Home Guard Forces and fulfilled the role of opposition forces during the NATO training exercise. The exercise took place in the Danish countryside of Jutland and was conducted over the course of three days.

Denmark 3

Meet Chief Master Sgt. Alan VanPate

The Michigan National Guard has a new senior enlisted advisor. Chief Master Sgt. Alan VanPate is the first Air National Guardsman selected for this position. Now, we get to know him a little better, while he visits Michigan National Guard Airmen participating in Saber Strike 16, in Latvia.

Chief Master Sg.t Alan VanPate

MING health care specialists prepare for Operation Northern Strike 2016

Soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard, 1171st Area Support Medical Company trained at the Ypsilanti armory, June 11-12, in preparation for the Guard’s primary summer exercise, Operation Northern Strike, which is scheduled for most of the month of August at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. During the exercise, 1171st ASMC Soldiers will provide medical aid during scenarios designed to simulate a variety of ailments and injuries.

1171st

TAG visits Latvia

Senior leaders from the Michigan National Guard took part in distinguished visitor's day at Camp Adazi, Latvia, June 13, 2016, during Saber Strike. Sabre Strike includes 13 countries and more than 10,000 troops. This is the first year Saber Strike has been identified as a NATO exercise. The Michigan National Guard has been state partners with Latvia for more than 24 years. (Michigan National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Helen Miller/Released)

TAG visits Latvia

June 14, 2016, MING conducts flag retirement ceremony

In honor of National Flag Day, members of the Michigan National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Honor Guard, conduct a flag retirement ceremony, June 14, 2016, beside the JFHQ building in Lansing, Mich. Flag Day marks the adoption of the American flag by the Continental Congress in the First Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777. (Michigan National Guard photo by Angela Simpson/Released)

Flag Day

Pike Live-Fire Exercise 2016: Offshore Air National Guard Weapons Training near Alpena CRTC

Air National Guard A-10C jets from two squadrons will converge at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center to practice employing air-to-surface weapons over Lake Huron. Fighters will fly missions June 14-17, 2016, departing from their home stations, recovering at Alpena, taking on fuel and ordnance, and launching at the Lake Huron Overwater Range, Restricted Area-4207, approximately 20 miles offshore from Alpena, extending to the border with Canada. Pilots will practice combat tactics with Intelligence- Surveillance-Reconnaissance aircraft, identifying pseudo “hostile” boats for targeting.

Pike Live Fire

Michigan National Guard Soldiers Conduct Live Fire Squad Level Training in Denmark

Members of the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, recently conducted live fire, squad level movement training during their training mission in Denmark. Soldiers were instructed on Danish infantry techniques for moving as a squad, target engagement, and several different fighting position defenses.

Denmark 3

Traffic circle construction begins at Selfridge Air National Guard Base

Bob Hoepfner, director of Macomb County Dept. of Roads; Mike Lovelock, Chesterfield Township supervisor; Mark Hackel, Macomb County executive; Brig. Gen. John D. Slocum, 127th Wing commander; Ken Verkest, Harrison Township supervisor; and Lt. Col. Tom Sierakowski, 127th Civil Engineering Squadron commander; break ground for a new traffic circle at the front gate of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., June 8, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)

Selfridge Construction

First Michigan National Guard Soldier to Attend School of Advanced Military Studies

As a boy, Maj. Justin Bierens always looked up to law enforcement and those in the military. Today, as a member of the Michigan Army National Guard, he prepares to attend the School of Advanced Military Studies; an incredibly rare occurrence for a Guardsmen. Upon graduation, he will become the first Michigan Army National Guardsmen to complete the course.

Maj. Bierens

Latvians partner with Selfridge air traffic controllers

Latvia Selfridge

The first wave of Airmen from the Latvian Air Force have completed an 8-month familiarization program working with air traffic controllers at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.


Michigan National Guard Soldiers learn Danish marksmanship skills

Denmark 2

Select infantry Soldiers from the Saginaw-based, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, traveled to Denmark to participate in individual rifle marksmanship training conducted, May 30-31, 2016, under the attentive eyes of Danish marksmanship and safety instructors. The 26 Michigan infantry Soldiers were introduced to specialized Danish training methods and were also given an opportunity to utilize the methods for improving marksmanship accuracy on Danish military, live-fire ranges, secured near Jaegerpris, Denmark.


 Michigan National Guard Soldiers travel to Denmark for specialized training

Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the Saginaw-based, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, board a KC-130 Hercules transport aircraft, May 27, 2016, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mount Clemens, Mich., bound for Jaegerpris, Denmark where they will be part of a small unit exchange training program with Danish Soldiers. (Michigan National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Vega/Released)

Denmark 1

This Months Videos

TAG TH

TAG's Town Hall

MG Gregory Vadnais, the Michigan National Guard Adjutant General updates Soldiers and Airmen on the status of goals of the Michigan National Guard from Joint Force Headquarters on June 29, 2016.


LTC Kettles Interview

Press conference for Lt. Col. (Ret.) Charles Kettles, Medal of Honor recipient.

A sit down interview describing the heroism performed by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Charles Kettles.


127th Wing Flight Operations

127th Wing aircraft operations over the state of Michigan

A short video of the 127th Wing, of the Michigan Air National Guard, based out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, performing operations over the state of Michigan.

 


2016 Saber Strike video

Saber Strike 2016 video

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais and Brig. Gen. John Slocum compliment the Michigan National Guard and Latvian partnership while at Lielvarde Airbase in Latvia during exercise Saber Strike 2016.


Fathers Day

Happy #FathersDay

Happy ‪#‎FathersDay‬ to military dads around the world! Thank you for all you do to keep American families and their freedoms safe. We salute you.


Army 241 BD

Army's 241st Birthday #EarnYourCake!

Happy 241st birthday Army. Have you earned your slice of U.S. Army birthday cake? Join in the fun and show us how you plan to‪#‎EarnYourCake‬!


A10's in Latvia

A10's in Latvia

Check it out! Short video clip of a Michigan Air Guard A10 conducting live fire run at a range in Latvia today during Exercise Saber Strike. Michigan and Latvia have been connected by the State Partnership Program for more than 23 years. (Michigan National Guard video by Sgt. 1st Class Helen Miller/Released)

Congratulations to Our Own

Michigan National Guard Bilateral Affairs Officer receives Latvian recognition

On Thursday, June 16, 2016, Lt. Col. Timothy Brock was awarded the Medal of Honorary Recognition by the Latvian Minister of Defense. The medal is the highest award that can be given by the MoD. Brock has been the bilateral affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Latvia since 2014.

LTC Brock

Lt. Col. Mark Gorzynski receives a Meritorious Service Medal

Lt. Col. Mark Gorzynski, Administrative Officer for the Construction and Facilities Management Office for the Michigan National Guard, receives a Meritorious Service Medal today from the Assistant Adjutant General for Installations, Brig. Gen. Mike Stone at the Lansing Joint Forces Headquarters for his service while commanding the Fort Custer Training Center. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Cammy Alberts/Released)

LTC Gorzynski

Selfridge

127th Wing commencement ceremony

Community College of the Air Force graduates from the 127th Wing participate in a commencement ceremony at Selfridge Air National Guard Base on June 5, 2016.


Michigan Army National Guard Soldier from Hancock retires with 28 years of military service

Master Sgt. Joseph Battisfore of Calumet, recently retired from the Guard and Reserve forces with more than 28 years of honorable military service.

MSG Battisfore

Never Forgotten

SFC Hilton

Capture1

Our thoughts and prayers go out the family and friends of the service members who have lost their lives in terrible tragedies. The loss of any service member is felt tremendously throughout the Military and abroad. It is our hope that the search for the missing Soldiers in Fort Hood, Texas will be swift and successful.


Sgt. Soper

Events

Retirement July