Tech. Sgt. Jeff Barna, left, and Staff Sgt., Jovann Stone both of the 127th Communications Flight, Michigan Air National Guard, Selfridge,MI terminates base fiber optics at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 6, 2016.
The Communications Squadron is participating in the setup of the
communications network for all buildings that are a part of the PATRIOT exercise. "The Airmen of Selfridge are doing a fantastic job, they go beyond the call of duty" said Maj. Harry Jimenez, of the 254th Combat Communications Group, Texas Air National Guard, Hensley Field Air Guard Station. The Squadron has participated for the past five of the six years of the PATRIOT exercise. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to
test the National Guard's capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Samara Taylor)

Happy 241st Birthday U.S. Army Chaplain Corps! Always providing spiritual support to our Soldiers & their families.

The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps is one of the oldest and smallest branches of the Army. The Chaplain Corps dates back to July 29, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized one chaplain for each regiment of the Continental Army.

The National Guard Youth Leadership Camp is for youngsters, 9-12 years old, who are dependents of active and retired Michigan National Guard members and Department of Military & Veterans Affairs employees. The camp is designed to provide a positive experience through leadership classes, individual confidence and positive self-esteem building, as well as team-building activities. Trailblazers and coaches participate in activities such as flag ceremonies, swimming, laser tag, paintball, arts and crafts, map and compass training and a wide variety of outdoor fun. The camp is held annually at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center.

The Michigan National Guard released unique Climate Preparedness and Resilience plans today in Lansing. The plans encompass the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Grayling, the Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, and Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mount Clemens. Funding for the comprehensive plans project was provided by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment) following a 2013 Presidential Executive Order that included a goal work with stakeholders at the state, local, private-sector and non-profit-sector levels in an effort to improve overall climate preparedness and resilience.

Members of the 51st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team participate in a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical readiness exercise at Spartan Field in East Lansing, Mich., July 20, 2016. The NBC exercises are conducted monthly at various locations across Michigan. The training provides members with a realistic experience they would not receive at their home station. (Michigan National Guard photos by Master Sgt. David Kujawa, Senior Airman Ryan Zeski and Spc. Eric Bandy /Released)

Leaders from the Michigan National Guard briefed members of the Lake Margrethe Property Owners Association on what to expect during this year's Northern Strike exercise. The Michigan National Guard makes great efforts to be as courteous and forthcoming as possible to our community partners as we greatly appreciate the support they provide.

The Michigan National Guard began road repair operations Sunday in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, following severe rain that caused numerous washouts. Approximately 40 Soldiers were activated in response to the emergency declaration issued by Governor Snyder Friday. The Soldiers are from armories in Kingsford, Iron River and Gladstone. All the Soldiers are members of 107th Engineer Battalion headquartered in Marquette.

Students from Wayne State University's Aviation Career Education Academy take a photo with members of the 127th Wing and an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., during a tour at the base to learn about job opportuities in Michigan's hometown Air Force.

The ceremony is a combination of two special traditions. First, following a long-standing, honored United States Presidential Tradition, on the birthday of each deceased president, the incumbent president sends a tribute wreath to be reverently placed by a military officer at the deceased president’s tomb. The second tradition is of a more personal nature. Established by Mrs. Betty Ford in honor of her husband, she issued an instruction that outlined special people and organizations that held significant meaning to President Ford should be included in the wreath-laying ceremony. She felt it was important to include military members, law enforcement, the Boy Scouts, and other organizations who were important parts of the president’s life.

The Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Wing has been named the top flying unit in the Air National Guard. The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) has awarded the Wing the Carl A. Spaatz Award, which is presented annually to the overall outstanding flying unit in the ANG. The award, which covers calendar year 2015, recognizes the significant combat operations of the 127th Wing in 2015, the unit’s unprecedented success on a major operational inspection and the Wing’s ongoing partnership with international, national, state and local partners.

Two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft of the 107th Fighter Squadron from Selfridge Michigan, roll away from a KC-135 Stratotanker of the 171st Air Refueling Squadron also from Selfridge Michigan, after an air refueling while flying over Latvia, during the NATO exercise Saber Strike on June 21, 2016. The Michigan National Guard is part of a Department of Defense sponsored State Partnership Program between Michigan and the Latvian government, which began in 1993. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. David Kujawa)

Did you know? 
When displaying the U.S. flag at half-staff, it should be raised to the peak for a few moments then lowered to the mid-way point on the staff. At the end of the day the flag should be raised from half-staff to the peak of the staff then lowered slowly from that point. The U.S. Flag document and www.usflag.org/flag.etiquette.html both offer additional information.

 Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph Lengyel was confirmed as the 28th chief of the National Guard Bureau by the U.S. Senate.

The Soldiers of the Latvian National Armed Forces and the Airmen from the Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Civil Engineer Squadron are working together on a Humanitarian-Civic Assistance project supported by several organizations. For the Latvians and the Michiganders, the project is the latest in a long-line of cooperative efforts begun when the nation on the Baltic Sea and the state on the Great Lakes became aligned in the State Partnership for Peace program in 1993. 

Michigan National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt jet aircraft practiced highway landings as part of Saber Strike, a long-standing U.S. Army Europe-led cooperative training exercise to improve joint interoperability through a range of missions that prepare the 14 participating nations to support multinational contingency operations. The National Guard builds partnerships.

Members of 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Michigan National Guard, stand with 1LT Kim Illum, Danish Home Guard Forces, during a group photo following the Royal Danish Marksmanship award ceremony in Jaegerspris, Denmark, June 6, 2016. (Michigan National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Vega/Released)

Happy Fourth of July! As we celebrate our freedom today, we also thank those who defend it.

Col. John Wojcik, the staff judge advocate for the Michigan National Guard, shakes hands with Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais, the MING adjutant general after receiving his promotion to colonel, July 27, 2016, at Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing, Michigan. (Michigan National Guard photo by Spc. Eric Bandy/Released)

The Michigan Army National Guard is proud to announce the promotion of Amanda Falor to the rank of major, July 14, 2016. Falor, of Dewitt, was joined by her husband Capt. Todd Falor, a MIARNG strategic plans officer, her children, many family members, friends and distinguished guests, for a pinning ceremony held last Friday at the Michigan National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters installation in Lansing.

Ken Dilg, assistant chief of staff of operations, 46th Military Police Command, Michigan National Guard, receives his new colonel rank insignia from his daughter, Elizabeth, during a promotion ceremony held at the Michigan National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing, Michigan, July 16, 2016. The 46th Military Police Commander, Maj. Gen. Michael White, officiated the ceremony and commended Dilg for his outstanding service to the unit, his state and his nation. (Michigan National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Oposnow/Released)

Command judge advocate for the 46th Military Police Command, Michigan National Guard, was promoted to colonel, July 16, 2016. White received her new rank insignia from Maj. Gen Michael White, commander of the 46th MPC, during a ceremony held at the Michigan Army National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Lansing.(Michigan National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Oposnow/Released)

Internment and Resettlement Branch Chief, 46th Military Police Command, Michigan National Guard, Audrey Brown, received her new Lt. Col. rank insignia from her mother, Emma, during a promotion ceremony held at the Michigan National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing, Michigan, July 16, 2016. The 46th Military Police Commander, Maj. Gen. Michael White, officiated the ceremony and commended Brown for her outstanding service to the unit, her state and her nation. (Michigan National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Oposnow/Released)

Congratulations to Ypsilanti native Lt. Col. Charles Kettles (retired) who is being presented the Medal Of Honor today by President Obama at a ceremony in Washington, DC.

Retired Master Sgt. Craig A. Pulver, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, received a Meritorious Service Medal at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing, Saturday. The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded for outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States. Pulver served honorably for 20 years in the Army, with approximately seven years in the active army and more than 13 years of service in the Michigan Army National Guard. During his service he held responsibilities as first sergeant of both the Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 126th Cavalry Regiment, and of Joint Forces Headquarters. Pulver has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Onward Liberty in Liberia. (Michigan National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Oposnow/Released)

Algirdas (Al) Juocys, D.O., chief medical officer and co-founder of MedNetOne Health Solutions, recently received the military Legion of Merit award for 35 years of medical service in the Michigan National Guard. Officials at the healthcare management organization made the announcement. The Legion of Merit is a prestigious military award, ranking just below the Silver Star. Dr. Juocys is a retired decorated state surgeon of the Army National Guard, where he achieved the rank of colonel and served two tours of duty in Iraq in 2004 and 2006.