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Eliminate Sexual Assault! Know Your Part. Do Your Part!
We will be observing our eleventh annual Sexual Assault and Awareness and Prevention Month the month. Our theme this year is "Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know your part. Do your part." This event is recognized throughout the world by both civilian and military personnel.
What can you do during April?
We would like each person to reinforce your professional and personal commitments to end the crime of sexual assault. To eliminate this we need everyone to know and adhere to the core values of our profession: integrity, trust, dignity, respect, fidelity and courage.
Know your part, know what you can do to identify and stop unsafe behavior.
Do your part, stand strong and stand together to end an environment that fosters sexist behavior, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Show that this type of behavior is not tolerated, condoned or ignored. This is not just "inappropriate" behavior it is criminal behavior. During this month Maj. Allyn Johnson, our new joint Sexual Assault Response Coordinator along with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Linda Legg-Teeple, joint Victim Advocate Coordinator, are asking you to raise your standards and expectations even higher as we raise awareness of sexual assault throughout this month. During the month of April you will notice flyers, banners, teal ribbons and classes in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
o April 9th - Lunch & Learn speaker from the local prosecutor's office in Lansing
o April 14th and 16th Self Defense Course in Lansing
o April 21st thru 23rd - Joint continuing education course at Fort Custer Education Center (Victim Advocates only)
Victim Advocates are required by law to maintain certification through the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program. These Victim Advocates are trained and committed to uphold the highest standard of survivor care and privacy.
Please join us to raise awareness of the lifelong issues that sexual assault can bring to personnel and their families and throughout our state by both engaging and empowering our Service members and leaders to create a positive environment that will eliminate sexual assault.
For questions or further information please contact Maj. Allyn Johnson at allyn.a.johnson.mil@mail.mil or (517) 481-7638, or Chief Linda Legg-Teeple at linda.s.leggteeple.mil@mail.mil or (517) 481-7697.
Photo caption: MVAA Director Jeff Barnes (left) congratulates U.S. Army veteran Wuraola Odunsi on her successful completion of the REBOOT Workshop held at Piquette Square for Veterans earlier this year. Sixteen veterans took part in the three-week reverse boot camp in Detroit, which concluded with a graduation ceremony.
When a veteran first enters the military, it takes 16 weeks of basic training to turn him or her into a soldier. However, leaving the U.S. Armed Forces is a different story. Becoming a civilian can take as few as 72 hours – sometimes even less – and when that happens, a veteran can feel unprepared to tackle life out of uniform.
Michigan REBOOT Workshops, created by the National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. and sponsored by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA), can ease that transition. REBOOT Workshops help veterans reinvent themselves and build professional, educational and financial skills during the three-week program.
“REBOOT helps veterans do so much more than transition out of the armed forces – it helps them transform their lives and puts them on a path to success,” MVAA Director Jeff Barnes said. “By providing veterans with training sessions designed especially for them, we can equip them with the skills they need to achieve their goals and be successful in their civilian lives.”
Often referred to as reverse boot camps, REBOOT Workshops provide personalized training to address personal, social and professional aspects of the transition out of uniform, including seminars on resume building, financial management and selecting a college, as well as courses to better understand VA benefits and prepare for job interviews.
Graduates are also provided with job matching assistance, career coaching and ongoing support following completion of the workshop.
Wuraola Odunsi, a veteran who recently graduated from a REBOOT Workshop held in Detroit, said the program changed her life.
“The Army offers programs for reintegration, but I still didn’t know where to start or how to start once I entered civilian life,” Odunsi said. “I had a plan, but it didn’t pan out. This program helped me learn that sometimes you can’t prepare enough, but I also learned that you don’t have to transition alone. REBOOT gave me confidence. I can think outside the box now.”
A member of the U.S. Army for more than four years, Odunsi used the REBOOT Workshop to develop new skills and change her perspective on life out of uniform.
“There are always going to be obstacles in life, but REBOOT has shown me how to tackle them,” she said. “All veterans share a common bond, and it was rewarding to share this experience with other veterans.”
So far, about two dozen Michigan veterans have participated in the REBOOT program, and two more workshops are currently scheduled in 2015.
The Michigan National Guard is hosting a REBOOT Workshop, taking place from April 27 to May 15. Classes start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. each day and will take place at 3411 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Lansing.
A REBOOT session is also scheduled for June 1-19 at the Kent County Human Services Building (121 Franklin, SE in Grand Rapids).
If you are a Michigan National Guard member beginning to transition out of the Armed Forces or know of a veteran who may benefit from the skills taught at the reverse boot camp, registration is available online at MichiganVeterans.com/MIREBOOT.
Class size is limited to 25 participants per session, and all veterans regardless of service era or discharge status are welcome.
Story written by Tech. Sgt. Dan Heaton, 127th Wing Public Affairs, Michigan Air National Guard
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- The doctors, nurses and health technicians of the 127th Medical Group ensure that the nearly 1,500 Michigan Airmen assigned to Selfridge Air National Guard Base are medically prepared to answer the call.
The unit’s approximately 55 Airmen focus on three primary missions: medical readiness for the 127th Wing at Selfridge, homeland security and disaster response, said Senior Master Sgt. Cory McClusky, MDG superintendent.
On any given Unit Training Assembly weekend the MDG can provide 200 to 300 physicals to include areas such as Preventative Health Assessments, dental, audiograms, optometry, vitals, vaccinations, and physician assessments. The MDG also handles profiles and waivers in conjunction with National Guard Bureau and plays a part in the 127th Force Support Squadron’s Line of Duty and Medical Evaluation Board process for the 127th Wing.
“Depending on what units might be in the deployment process, or the time of year, we might have close to 400 people who need some type of service from the Med Group in a single drill weekend,” said Tech. Sgt. Linda Treat, a public health technician with the group.
MDG supports industrial hygiene, fetal protection, hearing conservation, food safety and sanitation, food and water vulnerability assessments, occupational medicine, deployment medicine, respiratory protection, and hazard communication. The unit’s Airmen routinely provide these services on the base at Selfridge and can be called upon to perform these duties in a deployed environment as well, McClusky said.
While most of the group’s Airmen are assigned to either the unit’s Medical Operations or Medical Support flights, some MDG personnel are assigned to either the 107th Fighter Squadron or 171st Air Refueling Squadron, both of which are also part of the 127th Wing at Selfridge. MDG Airmen in the flying squadrons serve as that unit’s Flight Surgeon and Squadron Medical Element. In these roles, MDG Airmen primarily provide for the medical needs of their respective unit in preparation for, during, and after deployments.
In addition to their local readiness duties, several of the MDG Airmen are part of an Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Team, an in-flight intensive care unit that can be quickly deployed to transport the most critically injured patients in the aero-medical evacuation system. The CCATT Airmen provide care to those who are being evacuated from theater to fully-equipped intensive care units.
Treat said MDG Airmen at times deploy as a “package,” but are also frequently called upon to deploy as individuals or in groups of two or three Airmen.
“Often times, our Airmen will attach to another unit that either needs a SME or to another deploying unit that has a shortfall in a particular area where we can provide a skilled person,” Treat said.
Over the past 10 years, 127th MDG Airmen have deployed in support of missions to Guam, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Kyrgyzstan. In recent years, MDG Airmen have also performed in missions in the United States as well as in the European nations of Estonia and neighboring Latvia – one of the Michigan National Guard’s two State Partnership for Peace partner nations.
Story written by Master Sgt. Denice Rankin, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Michigan National Guard
 LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Army National Guard’s Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment is based in Detroit and is one of the few Guard units that has a ground combat policy which excludes females from its ranks. Most of the 130-plus assigned Soldiers are infantrymen—referred to by some as the backbone of the Army. The unit also has signal specialists who operate communication equipment and supply specialists who account for and oversee the company’s equipment. The Soldiers train with the 60mm mortar, the Javelin (an anti-tank missile) and are trained to pilot the Raven, an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Alpha Company has both a state and federal mission. The unit fulfills their state mission as the Michigan Rapid Reaction Force and trains to respond to state emergencies in support of local law enforcement and first responders. Upon notification, the unit will deploy within 72 hours to any area in the state that requires assistance.
“During the brown-out in 2003, we took every single water buffalo, and brought them to metro Detroit area hospitals in case they needed clean water,” said Sgt. 1st Class Wilson Tang, the unit’s readiness noncommissioned officer.
According to Michigan’s Public Service Commission report, an electrical surge caused a total blackout Aug. 14, 2003, and resulted in 2.3 million residents without power in the U.S. and Canada.
The unit trains monthly for their federal mission to ensure a high state of readiness. In time of war, the unit would be federalized to deploy in support of a theater commander.
Since 2001, Alpha Company has been activated four times to support various operations. The unit’s first call-up began immediately following the attacks on September 11 and ended approximately one year later. The Soldiers were assigned to the Detroit Metro Airport to assist at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in support of Operation Noble Eagle and multi-agency operations.
In 2004, Alpha Company mobilized to Egypt to observe and report military activity in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aqaba.
“At the time, we were under the Multinational Force of Observers [an independent peacekeeping organization]. We were basically in charge of the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula to enforce the treaty between Israel and Egypt,” said Tang.
The unit supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008. Approximately 125 Soldiers deployed to Kuwait and Iraq to conduct convoy security between the two nations to allow freedom of movement for supplies and equipment in support of OIF.
Alpha Company’s most recent deployment was to Afghanistan in 2012 to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Battalion Executive Officer Maj. Anthony Dennis highlighted some of the company’s accomplishments.
“The company was responsible for three distinct security force advisory missions: third platoon provided security forces for the Khanabad District advising mission which was successfully handed over to the Afghan leadership,” said Dennis. “Second platoon provided a security force and helped strengthen the security and force protection measures for the Afghan Operations Coordination Center (Provincial), and the Provincial Headquarters in Kunduz; and 1st platoon aided in teaching rule of law classes and provided SECFOR for the Gor Teppa area outside Kunduz City.”
According to Dennis, Gor Teppa was the focal point and testing ground for the new evidence-based operations. This mission-set focused efforts on community-based policing and Afghanistan national security forces actively investigating and pursuing prosecution of crimes committed in the area. The unit received the Meritorious Unit Citation for participation in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2012.
Alpha Company has participated in Partnership for Peace in Norway, an international exercise conducted with 28 other countries. In the first phase of the mission Alpha Company trained the other countries on ground procedures for air medical evacuation operations. The second phase of the mission was a field exercise to incorporate all the training.
“The field exercise took place in the surrounding civilian population’s towns. There was a tremendous amount of interaction with the Norwegian population and the other countries’ military personnel,” said Dennis.
At home, along with their once-a-month weekend drills, Alpha Company has annual training typically at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. They conduct small unit-level operations in the field. According to Dennis, their training operations are offensive in nature; squad and platoon attack, movement to contact, ambush, and react to contact. During AT, the mortar section usually fires the 60mm and trains with the battalion mortar section.
“Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry is led by highly competent leaders to provide operationally ready Soldiers, able to deploy at anytime, anywhere,” said Dennis.
The company has answered the call to federal service as an operational force in the Sinai Peninsula, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and at U.S. international ports.
“Alpha Company continues that standard while stateside in Michigan as a vital part of the Rapid Reaction Force to provide assistance to local authorities in times of crisis, whether man-made or natural,” Dennis concluded.
Story written by Sgt. Chelsea Barber, 126th Press Camp Headquarters, Michigan Army National Guard
 CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. -- Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery Regiment, conducted cold weather training at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Feb. 27, 2015. The training, consisting of preparing and firing rounds from an M777A2 howitzer in sub-zero temperatures, was the final step in the 119th’s Artillery Skills Proficiency Tasks (ASPT) training requirement.
“This is the second year in a row that we’ve operated in below-zero temperatures,” said Maj. Obi B. Yordy, executive officer of the 1st Battalion. “Everything worked great, morale was high and we accomplished all of our training objectives.”
The training exercise served additional purpose, providing Soldiers an opportunity to practice wear of extreme cold weather gear including trousers, jackets, boots, gloves and head covers. Wearing the gear while operating in sub-zero temperatures assists in increasing Soldiers’ confidence in their equipment from a gear and weapon standpoint.
The 119th FA recently began training in winter weather again since the drawdown of troops in Iraq. In addition, in 2012, Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais, the adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard, put out a directive that Michigan National Guard Soldiers train for preparedness in all seasons of weather.
According to Yordy, this essential training increases his Soldiers’ efficiency in all operating conditions.
“It’s important to help prepare, to answer the nation’s call if needed, and to increase our proactive readiness,” Yordy said.
Story written by Lt. Col. William Humes, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Michigan National Guard
 LANSING, Mich. -- Brig. Gen. Michael White took command of the Lansing-based, Michigan Army National Guard, 46th Military Police Command at a ceremony held Sunday afternoon at Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing. White replaced Maj. Gen. Burton Francisco who was selected to be the special assistant to the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command headquartered in Colorado.
The presiding officer for the change of command ceremony was Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais, the adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard and the director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
“Burt has had a long history as a member of the Michigan Guard family,” said Vadnais. “He led the 46th through successful validation of Command and Control of the CBRN [chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear] response element—the only unit of this type in the Army. His leadership put the Michigan Guard in the national spotlight for effective crisis response.”
“No commander ever likes to give up command,” said Francisco. “In this case my mind is eased by knowing that I am leaving the 46th MP Command family in the capable hands of General White. I am confident that the Soldiers who performed exceptionally well under my command will continue that tradition of excellence for him.”
Francisco enlisted in the Michigan National Guard in April 1978 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on May 27, 1983, through the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He is a graduate of the Infantry Basic Course, Infantry Advanced Course and the U.S. Army Command General Staff College. Francisco holds a master’s degree in strategic studies and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College. Some of his awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Michigan Distinguished Service Medal.
White is a 1982 graduate of Western Carolina University. He has held many company, battalion and brigade command assignments. He deployed to the Pentagon for Operation Noble Eagle and to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. His overseas training assignments include Egypt, Philippines, Japan, Latvia and Panama. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and has also earned a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. White’s full time employment is with Ally Financial.
The 46th Military Police Command has been in Lansing since it was stood up in 2006. The 46th MP Command deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 to supervise detention facility operations. On June 1, 2015, they will complete the 24-month assignment as the Department of Defense’s Command and Control for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Response Element when the mission gets reassigned to the 38th Infantry Division from the Indiana National Guard.
Story written by Master Sgt. Denice Rankin, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Michigan National Guard
 LANSING, Mich. -- The 1st Battalion, 182nd Field Artillery, Michigan Army National Guard, is based at the Olympia Armory in Detroit and sits on the site of the old Olympia stadium, formerly the home of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team.
The battalion is comprised of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Alpha Battery and Forward Support Company all based in Detroit, and Bravo Battery, based in Bay City. Until 2012, the battalion also had Charlie Battery, which was based in Lansing.
According to Sgt. 1st Class David Hannum, The unit’s mission is to “destroy, neutralize or suppress the enemy by rocket and missile fire, and to help integrate all fire support assets into combined arms operations.”
Hannum is currently serving as the readiness noncommissioned officer for HHB. He has been assigned to the unit for 15 years.
Lt. Col. Edward Koledo has been the battalion commander for three years. Prior to this position, he served as a firing battery commander, a battalion fire-direction officer, and a battalion operations officer.
The battalion’s “main gun” is the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which can launch multiple rockets or missiles with a variety of ranges. Crewmembers operate, maintain and fire the M142 while others serve as fire-direction specialists who operate and manage information on a unique computer that transmits fire-mission data.
“The M142 is the most lethal weapon in the Army inventory. Being C-130 capable, the power projection capability combined with the extreme range of the missiles allow us to engage targets nearly anywhere in the world,” said Maj. Ryan J. Keith, the battalion’s executive officer and full-time officer-in-charge.
The battalion has 20 full-time employees to support the 370 assigned personnel who hold a variety of military occupational skills. Medics and a physician’s assistant are assigned to maintain a medical aid station and treat Soldiers; administrative specialists manage and support personnel transactions and needs; mechanics repair and maintain the battalion’s fleet of vehicles including the HIMARS launchers, rocket resupply vehicles, LMTVs, HEMTTs, trailers, and generators; and truck drivers transport ammunition and supplies. The battalion is also staffed with communications specialists who provide maintenance support, training, and expertise on the battalion’s short and long range radio communication systems allowing world-wide communication; supply specialists manage all logistics for the unit’s equipment—everything from members’ military clothing to ordering office supplies or ammunition, all while some of the best cooks in the Army keep them fed.
Since the global war on terrorism began, the unit has deployed three times. According to Hannum, all three deployments included convoy, post security and route clearance missions.
In December 2004, more than 150 field artillery Soldiers from the battalion left for a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On March 15, 2005, during a convoy security mission, the battalion came under attack near Baghdad, Iraq, and Staff Sgt. Ricky Kieffer, a mechanic with Bravo Battery, was killed. Today, Kieffer’s picture is displayed at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing, along with 20 other Michigan Army National Guard heroes who have died in combat since the MING began combat operations in 2003.
In 2007, Alpha Battery deployed to Iraq. They returned 13 months later, in January 2008. While deployed, the unit conducted more than 400 combat patrols over hostile supply routes in Iraq. In total, Alpha Battery members received 26 Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Heart Medals and 49 Combat Action Badges.
In September 2010, more than 330 Soldiers from all the 182nd Batteries and the Forward Support Company mobilized to Fort McCoy, Wis., and then Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn. Lt. Col. Leonard Rusher and Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin L. Day, served in tandem with the 197th Fires Brigade from New Hampshire. Task Force 1-182 was comprised of more than 450 National Guard Soldiers from Michigan, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, West Virginia and Florida. Task Force 1-182 was responsible for all security force operations in southern Kuwait to include the Kuwait Naval Base, Camp Arifjan, and the Port of Ash Shuiaba. Soldiers from Task Force 1-182 also supported similar operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia during their time in theater.
The 182nd recently participated in the 197th Field Artillery Brigade’s War Fighter Exercise held at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
“During the exercise, the 182nd honed their command and control techniques to react to scenarios on a virtual battlefield,” said Hannum. “Information flows from point to point allowing Soldiers to better synchronize sections, subordinate commands and higher commands with one another.”
Currently, the 182nd prepares to support Operation Spartan Shield, an international mission which will take them once again to the Middle East. The battalion has been tried and tested through their last three deployments.
When asked about the deployment, Lt. Col. Koledo responded by stating “The Deuce [182nd] has been tasked to deploy as a battalion-level HIMARS unit. For the first time, we are being mobilized to work with the skills we’ve really trained for all along. While deployments are challenging for personal lives and families, I believe our Soldiers are looking forward to the training this mission offers and setting even higher standards of performance at all levels in the battalion. Additionally, this mobilization will provide a new opportunity for our Soldiers who have not yet deployed [more than half of the unit], to fast-track the camaraderie, leadership skills, knowledge and muscle memory we’ll need to reach the top of the 13 HIMARS BNs in the National Guard. We plan to be number 1 nationally!”
Story written by Lt. Col. William Humes, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Michigan National Guard
 LANSING, Mich. -- The Augusta-based Michigan Army National Guard, 51st Civil Support Team, provided air testing services in support of other agencies responding to a fire at the Allegan Metal Finishing Company building in Allegan March 15, 2015.
The 51st was requested to monitor the air as a result of chemicals in the plant. Their tests showed no hazards in the air. They were alerted Sunday morning around 7 a.m. and were able to be at the scene at noon with 15 personnel and six vehicles.“The 51st CST provides a number of capabilities available at short notice to assist first responders with an incident,” said Maj. Mark Sitterly, commander of the 51st and senior CST member at the incident. “One of those capabilities is testing the air for contaminants.”
The 51st CST is available to respond to a variety of chemical, nuclear, biological or radiological incidents in support of other civilian agencies. Prior to the Allegan fire, the CST was in Key West, Fla., to undergo technical proficiency exercises involving suspected biological and radiological threats.
“We are happy to support the citizens of the area and play a role in ensuring their safety,” said Sitterly.
Story written by Master Sgt. Denice Rankin, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Michigan National Guard
 LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan National Guard’s 51st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team is one of only two MING units (the other is the counterdrug team) that will not deploy outside of the United States and its territories. The 51st CST, based at Fort Custer Training Center near Battle Creek, has a unique homeland security mission to respond to suspected chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) incidents in support of U.S. local authorities. Upon call-up, the team will identify, assess, advise and assist local civilian authorities to mitigate real or potential threat from accidental, intentional or natural CBRN incidents.
Army 1st Sgt. Jason Baldwin joined the team April 2000. At that time, the unit was comprised of one-weekend-a-month, traditional National Guard “M-Day” Soldiers.
“I started out as a survey team chief and M-day,” said Baldwin. “Originally there were 10 full time CST teams across the nation. After Sept. 11, [2001] Congress deemed every state and territory should have their own CST team.”
Thereafter, the balance of the CST’s stood up across the nation through a five-phase implementation. The Michigan National Guard 51st Civil Support Team began and completed certification by the Department of Defense in 2002, during the third phase.
The team trains regularly away from home-station. In February, the 22-member Army and Air Guard team performed an air-load mission. Upon arrival at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 51st CST members palletized equipment and loaded four of the team’s eight emergency response vehicles and Guard members onto a C-17 aircraft.
The team flew to the nation’s southernmost point in Key West, Fla., to undergo technical proficiency exercises by analysts from U.S. Army North. The exercise scenarios challenged the 51st CST’s response measures to suspected biological and radiological sources on Naval Air Station Key West and at a U.S. Naval facility on Saddlebunch Key.
Army Staff Sgt. Teriana Makarewicz headed up the decontamination corridor where the survey team processed through after exposure to suspected hazardous material. Makarewicz serves as the administrative sergeant at home station. In spite of 100 percent humidity and suited up in a fully enclosed protective suit, Makarewicz has an obvious appreciation for her job.
“It’s great to have an administration job and a tactical job as well that gets me out of the office,” said Makarewicz.
The team is staffed one deep for some of the positions. For this exercise, two members of the Wisconsin National Guard 54th Civil Support Team deployed with the 51st to supplement the team with a logistics NCO and a survey team member. Sgt. 1st Class Edwin Bonayon has served with the 54th CST as a “loggie” for three years and expressed the same passion for his job as those on Michigan’s team.
“I like that I’m helping people, you know, WMD isn’t a joke,” said Bonayon. “I like the fact that I’m helping the people of Wisconsin.”
Army Capt. Victoria Allard is the section leader for the analytical lab system and serves as the team’s science advisor. The scenario that the Army North analysts created was a new experience for her.
“This was an unusual exercise because we had a liquid sample that contained radiation. That is definitely going to keep us on our toes,” said Allard. “It reminds us how we need to pay attention to details and not get tunnel vision.”
One of the vehicles the team brought was their unified command suite, which provides satellite phone and data connectivity and various modes of transmission capabilities. A camera with live-feed allowed the operations center to monitor the survey team’s movements as they went down-range to detect the suspected CBRN hazard.
The exercises’ effectiveness was manifested by the team’s cohesion. Before each entry into a building, the team would rally in the operation’s center. Each section: command, operations, communications, administration/logistics, media/analytical and survey would brief their portion of the operation. Survey team leader, Army Capt. Ethan Eickelberg, briefed the survey team’s entry mission from start to finish and to make sure the team was on track, would ask a random survey team member to relay back the mission systematically and another to review emergency hand-signals.
Tech. Sgt. Ruel Taylor is a survey team chief for one of the CST’s two survey teams who suit up to enter the hot zone. Taylor has been on the team for five years and experienced a new element of testing with this training exercise.
“We were forced to respond with a bare minimum of equipment and were out of our comfort zone,” said Taylor. “We operated well though—when we left Selfridge it was below zero and now it’s in the 80’s with 100 percent humidity—we didn’t miss a beat.”
“The two different [exercise] venues created some unique challenges,” said 51st CST Deputy Commander, Army Capt. Ryan Davis. “The footprint was a challenge because of the high tide we had to think about when setting up. However, the exercises were a great opportunity for our people in new positions. In two months we have our TPE [technical proficiency evaluation] so this was an opportunity to work with Army North evaluators and work on our core competencies and METL [mission essential task list].”
Army North recently realigned CST teams with new evaluation teams. A different team of Army North analysts will now evaluate the 51st CST.
“This exercise lane is a first look for both our team and Jeff Taylor’s evaluation team. We are very fortunate to have an experienced, knowledgeable, and professional team such as Mr. Taylor’s staff,” said 51st CST Commander Air Force Maj. Mark Sitterly.
For those just joining the 51st CST, it may feel like “school is never out.” In addition to their military occupational and education schools necessary for promotion, the civil support team members must complete an 8-week civil support skills course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., which covers basic hazardous material operations and chemistry. This required guidance trains team members to interact with civil authorities. After completing the civil support skills course in Missouri, there is follow-on, position-specific course training with first year and second year requirements.
Sgt. 1st Class David Alexander is the reconnaissance non-commissioned officer and has been on the team for 13 years. The February trip was his fifth air-load mission, but according to him, offered some unexpected obstacles.
“This was a different challenge logistically because we had to coordinate the use of non-organic vehicles to move our equipment,” said Alexander.
Factored into all the other team objectives, this was one more detail to take into consideration in the team’s emergency response mission.
According to Air Force Master Sgt. William Bennett, the team’s operations NCO, the CST has a liaison program based on emergency management districts, and civil support team members are responsible to interact with different agencies within their assigned district. When Michigan CST is not training, members reach out to Michigan local responder communities.
“For example, I’m assigned to Michigan State Police Region 6 emergency management district,” said Bennett. “Next week I’ll be speaking at Kent County Local Emergency Management Committee about the 51st CST’s capabilities—what we have to augment their capabilities.”
Michigan’s Civil Support Team members carry their cell phones everywhere and understood before accepting the job, there is an “always-on-call” requirement.
Survey team member, Boesler’s comments could speak for the team, “If something real bad happens, we’ll be prepared.”
Story written by Master Sgt. Denice Rankin, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Michigan National Guard
 LANSING, Mich. -- Battery C, 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery Regiment, Michigan National Guard is based in Albion. Their mission is to provide Soldiers to the United States Army who are trained and deployable in order to provide conventional fires and destroy, neutralize or suppress the enemy by cannon fire.
Charlie Battery has a special role to provide as a homeland security defense force. Thankfully, the artillery has not been called to defend on U.S. soil since the Civil War, but is trained and positioned to respond if needed. To date, many 119th troops have served faithfully to fight America’s wars overseas and on this continent.
In March 2015, Charlie Battery Soldiers and others from the 119th are supporting Operation Summer Shield XII in Latvia, Michigan’s partner in the Department of Defense sponsored State Partnership Program. During the exercise, Latvian Soldiers embed with Charlie Battery’s cannon crew to conduct live-fire exercises along with several other NATO countries which have Soldiers trained as joint fires observers. The Michigan Soldiers will share their homeland defense expertise, which aids in the National Guard and U.S., incentive to strengthen and sustain global partnerships.
“Operation Summer Shield is a great experience for Soldiers and as a partnership building event,” said Charlie Battery Commander, 1st Lt. Ryan McCann.
Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Frank Grass, in a statement before Congress March 17, 2015 said, “SPP has contributed to the U.S. efforts to counter anticipated and unanticipated global threats as they emerge and has fostered personal relationships with defense leaders around the world.” He continued, “These partnerships and personal relationships in strategic regions around the world have proven invaluable.”
Three fulltime employees support the battery which has an authorized strength of 74 members. Sgt. 1st Class Jonathon Livingston serves as the unit’s readiness noncommissioned officer fulltime, and as a gunnery sergeant on drill weekends. Staff Sgt. Christopher Nowicki is the unit supply NCO and Sgt. Robert Betz is the unit’s training NCO.
According to Livingston, Charlie Battery is a prime example of the “next-Soldier-up” concept where success and personnel continuity is maintained.
“In the past two months, we have changed through promotion and transfer, our commander, a platoon leader, our first sergeant, a gunnery sergeant, a cannon section-chief, our supply sergeant and one fire-control sergeant,” said Livingston. “This all happened immediately prior to a winter live-fire exercise that included a five-hour movement to Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in harsh winter conditions,” Livingston continued. “Temperatures reached minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The battery safely maneuvered and fired all its rounds and successfully redeployed to home station without incident.”
Charlie Battery commander, McCann, was formerly an enlisted Soldier with the battery.
“It’s a little unusual to take command of the unit I was previously enlisted in, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said McCann. “One of the most important things in the Army is being able to accept the responsibility of your supervisor; you never know what’s going to happen and you need to be mission capable at all times,” he continued. “Charlie Battery has a reputation of being reliable and consistent because we do a good job mentoring and coaching our subordinates and trusting them with more responsibilities.”
The battery has cannon crewmembers who operate and supervise the M777A2 Howitzer cannon, a 155mm artillery piece which is towed by a 5-ton medium tactical vehicle. Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data Systems Soldiers, specialists in computing, delivering, and tracking the battery’s fire missions, are trained to ensure the rounds sent down-range engage the target. The battery is staffed with field artillery officers who maintain command and control and lead troops during land combat. As with most military organizations, Charlie Battery is staffed with supply personnel who manage the logistical support of the battery.
Since September 2001, Charlie Battery has completed three major deployments. In 2003, Charlie troops deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, along with members of each 1-119th FA Battery, to support the joint task force headquarters there, and Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit was broken up into several elements to assist all aspects of internment operations at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, which included bridge missions to take detainees back to their countries.
In December 2004, the battalion utilized members from Charlie Battery to form a security force company to deploy for one year to Forward Operating Base Abu Ghraib, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. At FOB Abu Ghraib, Charlie Battery Soldiers conducted detainee operations within the Baghdad Central Corrections Facility as well as detainee escort and security force missions. Their efforts contributed to the security force unit receiving the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal. The Combat Action Badge, which is awarded to Soldiers who personally engage or are engaged by the enemy, was awarded to most of the 150 field artillery Soldiers who deployed.
In 2010, Charlie Battery Soldiers were pulled along with other Soldiers from each 119th Battery to deploy for a convoy security mission into and out of Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn/Responsible Drawdown. During this deployment, nine Charlie Battery Soldiers were awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
It has been a little more than four years since Charlie Battery Soldiers were called to support a federal deployment. McCann, who has served as the battery’s senior platoon leader, the executive officer, and now the commander, sees the battery moving foward.
“I look forward to continuing to set high standards across the board as one of the top three units in the state for readiness; while maintaining high standards in training,” McCann concluded.
Story written by Master Sgt. Ron Raflik, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Michigan National Guard
 BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- It was a colder than normal spring day, but that didn’t hinder the training opportunity for Soldiers of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, of Big Rapids, and members of Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, of Grand Ledge. Delta Company conducted combat lifesaver recertification training for 63 of its Soldiers during the March drill weekend.
“These types of joint training events do not happen very often between aviation and infantry, although very beneficial to our infantry Soldiers for familiarization of possible real world scenarios,” said 1st Lt. Judson Rambaud, Delta Company’s executive officer.
The aviation element provided the Soldiers the opportunity to experience the actual scenario of a combat medevac. During the training, Soldiers did walkthrough cold-loads while the helicopters were not running. This provided the opportunity to load and unload the casualty with guidance and supervision from the flight crew.
“Once the bird is running, you won’t hear verbal commands,” said Crew Chief Sgt. Jeff Doebler. “That’s why we do the cold loads.”
The Blackhawks were on site for several hours and each Soldier had the opportunity to hot load the simulated casualty. Once this segment of training was complete, the Soldiers resumed the classroom portion of the recertification process.
Story written by Master Sgt. Denice Rankin, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Michigan National Guard
 LANSING, Mich. -- The 1461st Transportation Company (Combat Heavy Equipment Transport), Michigan Army National Guard, is based in Jackson. The unit’s primary vehicle is the M1070A1, a heavy-equipment transport system which can haul up to 70 tons.
Capt. Ashley Dykes is the company commander and has served in the position for one year. The commander is a traditional, one weekend-a-month, National Guard assignment and leans on four full-time enlisted members to stay abreast of the details required to run a military transportation company. The 1461st has an authorized strength of almost 300 personnel who are assigned as truck drivers, mechanics, administrative specialists, cooks, supply, chemical operations, petroleum supply and automated logistic specialists.
Sgt. 1st Class George Bridge has served full-time for three years as the unit readiness noncommissioned officer and prior to that, in various positions throughout the battalion. On drill weekends he is the truck master and assists the operations officer to coordinate, supervise and control company mission operations. Bridge is an example of a Guard member who has “tenure” in a company and is considered an equipment subject matter expert.
“The heavy equipment transport company can provide a one-time lift of 96 tracked combat vehicles with one tracked vehicle per HET system,” said Bridge. “The company’s mission is port clearance, onward movement and tactical displacement of heavy maneuver forces,” he continued. “The 1461st also performs recovery and evacuation missions for equipment needing higher levels of repair. One HET company can relocate an armor brigade combat team maneuver force in one lift.”
Since the global war on terrorism began, the company has deployed twice as a unit and many 1461st Soldiers have augmented other units’ deployments.
In May 2006, the 1461st mobilized approximately 290 Soldiers to deploy to Iraq. The company was stationed on Contingency Operating Base Speicher near Tikrit. During the 2007 troop-surge, a platoon was sent to Taji to support the 1687th Transportation Company, Mississippi National Guard. The 1461st also provided squad-size elements for support at Forward Operating Base Q-West and Camp Diamondback. The 1461st took over convoy operations from the departing company and according to Maj. Scottie McCostlin, then a captain and the company commander, “the 1461st set the bar for transportation companies to follow.”
Some of the unit’s accomplishments were recorded on the narrative for the Unit Meritorious Citation awarded for outstanding service to the 25th Infantry Division. The 1461st was the only “Super HET Company” in the Multi-National Force-North area and supported 28,000 Soldiers throughout the 24,000 square mile area of operations. The 1461st Combat HET Company executed more than 300 combat logistical patrols and logged more than 1.5 million miles on a road plagued by insurgent forces as far north as the Turkish border and south to Baghdad.
One Soldier, Sgt. Matthew R. Soper, 25, was killed in action June 6, 2007 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his gun truck. The tour of duty was Soper’s second deployment to Iraq.
At least one Bronze Star Medal, seven Purple Heart Medals, and 27 Combat Action Badges were awarded to the 1461st Soldiers.
In July 2012, the 1461st was activated for deployment to Afghanistan and mobilized out of Fort Hood, Texas. The 151 Soldiers were stationed at Camp Leatherneck and a platoon-size element was assigned to support operations with the 1487th Transportation Company, Ohio National Guard in Kandahar.
During 2012-2013, the unit also cross-leveled Soldiers within the 246th Transportation Battalion to provide truck drivers to other Michigan Guard organizations.
According to Bridge, the 1461st “main body” was in Afghanistan and provided combat logistical patrols and gun truck crew enhancement teams in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They completed more than 240 missions; traveling approximately 220,000 miles to deliver or retrograde more than 13,000 tons of mission critical equipment throughout Regional Command South, RC Southwest and RC West.
“The 1461st improved the operational equipment readiness to a high of 91.2 percent and completed 14 emergency recovery missions during a special Operation Guardian mission,” said Capt. Catherine Hodges who deployed with the unit as the execute officer. “The unit turned in more than $5.4 million worth of unused or underutilized equipment.”
The 1461st was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for their service during the deployment. In addition, 13 members were awarded the Bronze Star Medal, three members received the Purple Heart Medal, 68 received the Army Commendation Medal, 23 received the Army Achievement Medal and eight Combat Action Badges were awarded.
The 1461st continues to support battalion operations by cross leveling Soldiers to support deployments and to the command and control (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) response element mission. During annual training 2014 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, the unit conducted a heavy-equipment transport training school, qualifying 30 Soldiers to drive the M1070A1 HET vehicle. The M10700A1 replaced the M1070 system in November 2013. In the past, the 1461st Transportation Company has also supported security operations for the Mackinaw Bridge during the annual Labor Day bridge-walk in September.
“Every Soldier has played a critical role in the unit’s successful completion of all missions they were assigned, whether stateside or abroad,” said Hodges. “The 1461st members are true testaments to their dedication to their missions, their community and to each other.”
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