|
Trouble viewing this email? Click here to view it as a web page.
If you would like to receive the Wolverine Guard in your inbox every month, you can subscribe at http://minationalguard.com/govdelivery.
eXportable Combat Training Capability
We are gearing up for XCTC, set to kick off July 12 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. Units participating in an XCTC undergo lanes training and external evaluation integrated with a high-tech after action review process. Support packages for this type of training can include operational support with scenario development, exercise control, personnel and vehicle tracking devices, instrumented 3D after action review capabilities, administrative communication systems, battlefield immersion (including role players), battlefield effects (using simulated improvised explosive devices), opposition forces, portable village structures, video documentation, logistic support, and other related capabilities.
Operation Northern Strike
About a week after XCTC winds down, Camp Grayling will once again be bustling with units from across the world for Operation Northern Strike, running August 4 through August 23. Northern Strike 2014 is a National Guard Bureau sponsored Joint Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise emphasizing the Theatre Air Control and Army Air Ground Systems within the Theatre Air Ground System. It blends maneuver, Close Air Support, joint fire support, and air mobility in both major combat operations and limited Operation Enduring Freedom scenarios.
Twenty-four units from 12 states and two Coalition partners will participate in the event. Operation Northern Strike takes place at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center and Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. More than 300 total force fighter, bomber, mobility, and rotary sorties are planned in order to meet stated objectives for participating units.
Summers are always busy in the Guard, but that is when we prove how effective we are as a fighting force. Go Guard!
 Michigan Guard UAV platoon helps open Saber Strike
ADAZI, Latvia — The Michigan National Guard Shadow UAV platoon participated with Soldiers from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization member nations of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, United States, Great Britain, Finland, Canada, Norway and Denmark in the opening ceremonies for Exercise Saber Strike 14 at Adazi, Latvia on June 9, 2014.
The ceremony consisted of member nation forces in formation at the Adazi base parade field, flanked by armored personnel carriers. Latvian Ministry of Defense and NATO general officers gave speeches stressing the benefits of joint training and inter-operability of member nations taking part in Exercise Saber Strike 14.
After viewing a pass in review, Latvian Ministry of Defense and North Atlantic Treaty Organization member nation public affairs personnel toured the airfield occupied by by Michigan Army National Guard B Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Military Intelligence Company (MICO) Shadow Unmanned Aircraft Systems platoon.
The Latvian MOD and NATO PAO representatives were briefed on the capabilities of the RQ-7B Shadow aircraft and UAS platoon by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jimmy Huck and Capt. Mark Wurth. After the briefings, an RQ-7B Shadow aircraft was launched by the UAS platoon, allowing Latvian MOD and NATO PAO representatives to view, photograph and video record the launch.
“It is exciting to launch our first flight at Adazi on the opening day of Sabre Strike. Now we have flown the Shadow UAV from three locations in Latvia, the new airfield at Lielvarde, the abandoned airfield at Vainode and the improved gravel surface at Adazi. The range of conditons we have operated from demonstrates the capabilites of the Shadow UAV system,” said Capt. Mark Wurth.
Estonian Army PAO Maj.Vlo Isberg said, “It was fascinating to see the Shadow aircraft get launched for the first time from this airstrip in Adazi. The UAS briefers informed us how the aircraft is used for reconissance and its operational capabilities. This aircraft will enhance inter-NATO cooperation and coordination during Exercise Saber Strike 14 because it will relay imagery to all commanders of NATO ground units.”
After the launch, the Latvian MOD and NATO PAO representatives departed to visit other units participating in Saber Strike 14 training events.
Saber Strike is a U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)-directed, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM)-scheduled, U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR)-led theater security cooperation exercise that will be conducted at locations throughout the Baltic, including the Riga and the Adazi training areas in Latvia. The exercise will consist of a host nation-supported command post exercise (CPX), a brigade-level CPX/computer assisted exercise (CAX), and a field training exercise (FTX) with a situational training exercise (STX) component. The exercise will feature the integration of U.S. close support with partner nation ground forces and a demonstration of air deployment of forces and equipment. Saber Strike 14 will be conducted June 9-20, 2014.
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Jim Downen, Michigan National Guard.
For more on Saber Strike, visit here.
Michigan Guard to host XCTC for active, reserve components at Grayling
 From July 12-27, 2014, an estimated 5,000 Soldiers from five states are scheduled to converge on Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich., to participate in an eXportable Combat Training Capability rotation in order to conduct artillery live-fire tables, participate in lane training and be evaluated. [more]
|
Michigan Guard sends PAO to Baltics
 The Michigan National Guard stands ready to support the global missions of our nation’s military at a moment’s notice. This became a reality last month when U.S. Army Europe requested a team of public affairs specialists to support the mission in the Baltics. The active duty 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) “Sky Soldiers” are deployed to the Baltics to strengthen the coordination among NATO allies in there. [more]
|
Michigan Guard Soldier receives MacArthur Leadership award
 Michigan National Guard Capt. Todd Falor of Dewitt, has been awarded the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award which recognizes company grade officers each year who demonstrate the ideals for which Gen. Macarthur stood—duty, honor, country—and promotes and sustains effective junior officer leadership in the Army. Falor received the award May 30, at a ceremony in Washington D.C., hosted by Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond Odierno. [more]
|
Tuition Assistance for Michigan National Guard passes House and Senate
Michigan National Guard members seeking higher education will soon have financial assistance to help fund it thanks to House bill 5451. The bill cleared the Michigan Senate Thursday afternoon with a unanimous 38 – 0 vote. Later in the day, the House of Representatives took its turn and voted 109 – 0. The bill will now go to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature. [more] |
|
 |
 Gov. Rick Snyder holds up House bill 5451 after signing the bill at the Michigan National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Lansing, Mich., July 1, 2014. Behind Snyder are Company B, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Soldier Private 1st Class Ian Cunningham, numerous veterans’ service organization members, the bill’s sponsor Rep. Bruce Renden (on the governor’s left side) and Michigan Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais. The bill provides tuition assistance for Michigan Guard members in good standing. (Michigan National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Denice Rankin)
 Airmen of the 127th Air Refueling Group return to their home station of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., June 9, 2014, after a deployment to Southwest Asia and the Central Command Area of Responsibility. The deployment for the 127th ARG was the last of a three-year-long series of "rolling mobilizations" during which small groups of Selfridge Airmen -- and often one or two KC-135s -- were forward deployed on an ongoing basis. With the conclusion of the rolling mobilizations, the 127th ARG will return to a more traditional Air Expeditionary Force schedule for possible future deployments, meaning more members of the unit will likely deploy if called upon, but will likely deploy less often. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by TSgt. Dan Heaton)
 Lt. Col. Beth Peters, Executive Officer for the Michigan Army National Guard's 272nd Regional Support Group, administers the oath of reenlistment to Staff Sgt. James Lancaster at the Mount Rushmore National Monument near Rapid City, S.D. June 14th, 2014. The 272nd RSG and some of its elements are in South Dakota supporting Operation Golden Coyote.
"It's the Army's 239th birthday, it's Flag Day, and I'll never have another opportunity like this to reenlist," said Lancaster.
After the oath was administered, members of the unit and 300 onlookers sang the National Anthem.
 Distinguished guests from the State of Michigan, city of Lansing, and leaders of the Michigan National Guard cut the grand opening ribbon of the Service Member, Veteran, and Family Assistance Center during a ceremony at Joint Forces Headquarters, Lansing, Mich., June 25, 2014. The SFVAC is considered "one-stop shop" for service members, veterans, retirees, and families. The intent of the center is to simplify the process of accessing services and support. The facility is located at 3423 North Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Lansing.
 Spc. Justin Huber of Bravo Co., 1-125 Infantry Regiment from Twining, Mich. fires in the kneeling position on Range 11 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center during Individual Weapons Qualification June 21. (Michigan National Guard photo by Capt. Catalin Bugan. Released.)
Chief Master Sergeant
JEROME, JEFFREY C.
SHIPLEY, HAROLD J.
Master Sergeant
BASTIEN, RICHARD T.
MURPHY, SCOTT R.
Technical Sergeant
JARCZEWSKI, TATE J.
OSENTOSKI, DONALD F.
VIDETO, JAMES E.
Staff Sergeant
HEWITT, STEVEN K.
ONEAL, TANDI A.
APPLE, JUSTIN M.
BROWNLEE, GABRIEL T.
DEJONG, CHRISTENA R.
EYSTER, CHARLES P.
Senior Airman
CESARO, JAMES A.
CHARTIER, ZACHARY N.
KRZYMINSKI, CHAD J.
LAZARUS, JOSHUA J.
Airman 1st Class
VOYT, BENJAMIN R.
DYBAS, ZACHARY T.
HARGROVE, JACOB W.
Private
LONG, TYLER W.
CANTRELL, ALEXANDER D.
TOLIVER, ALFRED II
TRUMBULL, DEANTE J.
BUTLER, ESON L. JR.
ZELASKO, KURT A.
NEW, STEVEN L. JR.
LUNDIN, CHRISTINA L.
KELLY, BRIAN L.
DAVIS, DOMINIC L.
KITTLE, MITCHELL A.
LEACH, MICHAEL D. JR.
PRUETT, ERIC S.
BYERS, BRETT M.
TANDY, DUSTIN H.
ALLEN, KEENAN H.
BEGEMAN, EUGENE E. III
BRADLEY, JUSTIN L.
FORTINO, KOBI L.
NEVEL, EDWARD L.
BURNHAM, MICHAEL D.
JARRETT, CHRISTIAN A.
ALLEN, MORGAN S.
TOOSON, CHRISTOPHER J.
BALLYERKS, BLAINE S.
WELCH, DEMETRIUS C.
SMITH, NICHOLAS J.
PERU, DYLAN S.
ACCORSI, TREVOR W.
HOWARD, DYLAN T.
KINDER, ZACHERY M.
BRUTON, RAYMOND W.
WARING, DAKOTA R.
PRETZEL, TRE A.
TUNISON, NICHOLAS J.
DUBS, TERRANCE M.
HOGSETT, KRISTEN M.
HIGGINS, JONAH C.
MCBRIDE, CHRISTOPHER L.
HUNDERTMARK, ROBERT O. III
MUNOZ, TRAVIS D.
BURCH, KALEB J.
MIREAU, RORY E. JR
BIANGA, JACOB M.
BLOODWORTH, WILLIAM C. JR
BRYCE, MEGAN B.
NEWVILLE, TRAVIS J.
ROY, ANTHONY A.
HILLIARD, ROBERT M.
WHITMIRE, RICHARD H. III
MOORE, OCTAVIA V.
GEISEN, NICHOLAS J.
JOHNSON, BRADLEY T.
MACGIRR, MICHAEL D.
WAIT, MATTHEW D.
SEE, JAMES KURT P.
DAVIS, MACIE M.
WEISE, THOMAS J.
ZELENT, NATHAN P.
BROOKS, JALEN A.
STANLEY, NICHOLAS R.
Private First Class
JONES, CORY A.
FREEMAN, DAREAN T.
HOANG, BENJAMIN
BELL, KENNETH M.
COLON, JOSHUA U.
HALL, KATELYN M.
JOHNSON, LEMUEL D.
REEDER, DAIVON C.
WOODS, TASEAN C.
HANSFORD, MARK A.
BOBBETT, JORDAN T.
RASMUSSEN, ASHLEY D.
VELDERMAN, CHRISTOPHER M.
JUAREZ, JOSHUA J.
WILLIAMS, TROY L. II
HEACOCK, ALEXANDER J.
MOYER, JASON E.
KOHANSKI, JOEL A.
HAWKINS, COREY L.
JONES, ISAAC A.
FORBES, ZACHARY L.
BROWN, KINGCHARLES T.
RAMIREZ, JAMES C.
UHLIAN, JORDAN C.
FUERST, KALOB J.
JEWELL, ALISHA R.
COLLINS, ASHLEY V.
RIEVES, PATRICK J.
MARSH, ISAAC A.
TANDY DUSTIN H.
ROBBINS, KYLE R.
BEAUCHAINE, MOLLY C.
RINTAMAKI, NICK M.
MILLER, RICHARD L.
GARVIE, ROBERT C.
BURRELL, CLIFFORD D. II
LEATCH, DESMOND M.
CAMPBELL, EBONY K.
MALDONADO, NICOLAS L.
LODEWYK, WILLIAM A. III
BROWN, MORGAN E.
MADDOX, TREMAINE O.
LIVINGSTON, CARL JR.
GATIEN, RYLEE R.
HARMON, CLAY A.
CATTERFELD, KEGAN T.
YOUNG, ANDREW J.
BLOODWORTH, WILLIAM C. JR.
THWEATT, MICHAEL R. JR.
Specialist
EASON, KATIE L.
LEDBETTER, BRADLEY J.
YOUNG, MILAN K.
DUHART, LATOINETTA M.
BOWEN, DUSTIN R.
BURNS, JEREMY D.
LANG, SAVANNAH L.
ROBINSON, CORY L.
WAEGHE, DONALD S.
DOWNEY, JAMES P.
HARPER, MELANIE R.
STORCH, DAKOTA T.
TUTTLE, CORY P.
SANCHEZ, CARLOS G.
PRIDGEON, JUSTIN M.
SPENCER, EVAN J.
VONGPHACHANH, JERIMIAH
FENTON, JUSTIN J.
LEZAN, LOWELL J.T.
OBRIEN, JOHNATHAN L.
PARKER, BRANDON A.
ANDERSON, JOSHUA L.
CREMEANS, DAKOTA J.
FESNICK, DYLAN A.
ASH, ETHAN C.
ELDER, ROBERT D.
WELCH, TERRY J.
DAMITIO, RACHAEL E.
ANDERSON, BRANDON M.
GROSS, MICHAEL J.
MCGORON, JASE A.
RABY, ANDREW D.
DEVISSER, SEAN M.
HALL, RYAN M.
THEBO, CODY A.
HARVEY, AUSTIN C.
MOORE, MEAGAN M.
SWARTS, ANDREW W.
BRISTOL, DAMIAN P.
CHRISTENSEN, BRANDON L.
HOLTZ, AARON T.
HOUSER, DERRIK
LACHAPELLE, COLTON N.
KANGAS, LANCE C.
KNORP, SHAINA L.
MAULDIN, RIVER T.
MCCAULEY, KYLE A.
ATWATER, RASHEED J.
GROENEVELD, KEGAN E.
BROWN, CODY M.
BRONKEMA, RYAN M.
CHAMPION, MATTHEW R.
RYKSE, TARAN J.
SCHNECK, JUSTIN M.
HANFORD, JEREMY F.
DEBOER, KELLY J.
CHAMBERLIN, DONALD A. II
ESPARZA, JACOB D.
MOULTON, NATHAN R.
ROWOLDT, ROBERT R.
BEHOLZ, PIERCE G.
LINCE, THERESA M.
Sergeant
FUENTESBUENO, EDUARDO
POTTER, SABLE M.
HALEY, MICHAEL E.
OATES, JAMES L. JR
REAUME, BRADLEY R.
LARK, SCOTT M.
GAMBER, BENJAMIN P.
LAWRENCE, SCOTT A.
JOHNSON, NATHANIEL R.
CRAWFORD, MARSHALL S.
YIN, DEN
DUNNING, DUSTIN J.
HEWITT, BRYANT J.
BOLTON, MARSHAL R.
RIGGIE, CHRISTOPHER J.
SEITER, MICHAEL A. JR
HAATAJA, MATTHEW A.
LITTLE, NATHANIEL K.
YOUNG, JESSICA A.
FORTNEY, MATTHEW R.
KENNEDY, AMANDA L.
Staff Sergeant
COOPER, JONES S. L.
FLETCHER, SIMONE H.
DYKSTRA, JOSHUA A.
ARMSTRONG, SEAN D.
EDWARDS, TIMOTHY L.
NAEGELE, RICHARD A.
TRUE, BRIAN D.
JAMES, JEROME W. JR
Sergeant First Class
RANDOLPH, CHAD T.
DOWNEY, KELLY J.
SPOON, DARRIN F.
First Lieutenant
BENDA, BRYCE A.
SOELBERG, JOEL C.
EBERLE, DAVID M.
Captain
NYQUIST, JACOB W.
HUGHES, THOMAS M.
FULLER, APRIL A.
JENNETTE, SUNDAY E.
FRANK, PATRICK D.
LAVIGNE, ADAM P.
HIRDES, COREY J.
BRYANT, ISAIAH K.
RICE, DANIEL L.
KERSCHEN, BRICE A.
Major
EVANS, JASON R.
Lieutenant Colonel
KUHNS, ANDREW F.
Chief Warrant Officer 2
KOSAL, TROY P.
Chief Warrant Officer 3
PATTERSON, MICHAEL W.
Remember these 10 safety tips as you enjoy your 4th of July celebrations with friends and family!
1. Never use fireworks in your home. Always set them off outside on a driveway or sidewalk.
2. Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
3. Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).
4. Be aware of other people around you and make sure they are out of range of the firework you are using.
5. Never point or shoot fireworks at another person.
6. Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.
7. Do not try to re-ignite a “dud” as it could explode near your hands or face.
8. Only light one at a time.
9. Do not try to make your own fireworks.
10. NEVER drink and use fireworks at the same time!
As always, if there are any suggestions to improve the Wolverine Guard, you can direct your feedback to our Public Affairs Office.
|
