Michigan National Guard

Michigan CSM set to retire as Fort Custer Training Center receives new enlisted leader
April 5, 2022 — “CSM Gregory set the example and exceeded standards and expectations diligently while continually demonstrating capacity for being effective and efficient in directing activities of others and ensuring higher quality results,” said Army Lt. Col. Jennifer L. McLean-Ellis, garrison commander at Fort Custer Training Center. “He has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be missed and his focus on readiness and accountability of the enlisted force here.”... MORE

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. (CSM) Joseph Gregory, Fort Custer Training Center- Garrison, Michigan Army National Guard, receives the noncommissioned officers sword and presents it to CSM Jay Bennett, command sergeant major to the assistant adjutant general-Michigan Army National Guard, during a change of responsibility ceremony, Fort Custer Training Center, Augusta, Michigan, March 5, 2022. Gregory is scheduled to retire and CSM Kreston Vandermark will take responsibilities and duties as Fort Custer Training Center garrison command sergeants major. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy photo)

Artist, Mechanic, Pilot
April 1, 2022 — Staff Sgt. Stephen Foster had always dreamed of becoming a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. However, as a boy, he learned he would need to wear glasses to improve his vision. He thought that his dreams of flying an aircraft and serving his nation were over. However, through the opportunities provided by the Michigan National Guard and his artistic talents, Foster's dreams have still managed to take off... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Stephen Foster displays his painting at his house near Grand Ledge Aviation Readiness Center, Grand Ledge, Michigan, Mar. 24, 2022. Foster’s latest painting, an acrylic painting titled “High Maintenance”, took first place in the acrylic painting category and was named Best in Show at the Battle Creek 2021 Veterans Creative Art Competition. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Cessna)

Michigan National Guard enhances cyber warfare training during Cyber Strike
March 29, 2022 — GRAYLING, Mich.—The National All Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) hosted its first ever Cyber-Strike event for industry, law enforcement, and the Michigan National Guard at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center to gain a better unified response to a cyber-attack. The event helped bring together all these stakeholders to address the potential threat of malware attacks which could include ransomware, computer viruses, spyware, and Trojan horses. “This is the inaugural event and it’s very exciting looking out at all the fighters present here today,” said Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as he addressed the attendees. “Your skillset is critical for our economy, national defense, societal functions, and absolutely critical for everything cyber-teams do and this investment and your participation is so important to us,” he said... MORE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Shannon Bender, 272nd Cyber Operations Squadron, 110th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, reviews computer information during a cyber-warfare training event, Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Michigan, March 8, 2022. The Cyber Strike exercise focused on replicating a live training environment utilizing key personnel from different organizations consisting of law enforcement, prosecutors, detectives, and the Michigan Air National Guard and used a closed network that ran a malware application. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. David Eichaker)

Common Goals Strengthen Trilateral Relationship Between MING, Latvia and Liberia
March 29, 2022 — The SPP is unique in that it links a state's National Guard with the military forces of a partner country in a mutually beneficial military relationship. As a result, Michigan has hosted a variety of Latvian and Liberian servicemembers, from generals to infantrymen, at key leader engagements (KLEs) as well as live fire exercises during training events such as Northern Strike, held annually at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) in Northern Michigan. Until recently, the partnership was mostly MING/Latvia and MING/Liberia. However, military leadership from all three entities met last year in Michigan to discuss the benefits of increasing interoperability and mutual support between Liberia and Latvia as well. The three SPP partners conducted a KLE in Monrovia, Liberia, Feb. 4-13, 2022, to further strengthen the relationship... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general, Michigan National Guard (MING), left, stands with Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Maj. Gen. Prince C. Johnson, III, AFL’s chief of staff, and Latvian National Armed Forces (LNAF) Brig. Gen. Imants Ziedins, LNAF’s deputy chief of defense, in Monrovia, Liberia Feb. 9, 2022. The event took place during a key leader engagement held Feb. 4-13, 2022, in Monrovia, involving delegations from MING, LNAF and the AFL. MING is further strengthening its State Partnership Program between the militaries from both countries. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Joe Legros)

Certified Nurse Assistant program a life-changing experience for Michigan Airman
March 14, 2022 — Since 2002, McPherson’s journey in uniform has taken her into three different Air Force career fields, each with a unique perspective and technical skillset. Even after a ten-year break in service, McPherson chose to re-join the armed forces because she missed the comradery and purpose it gave her. Currently, she serves as an Aircrew Flight Equipment specialist at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. She says her military service is key to gathering a palette of skills she can eventually draw from to do as much good as she can... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tiffany McPherson, an Aircrew Flight Equipment specialist assigned to the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, poses for a portrait at Primrose Retirement Community of Midland, Michigan, March 7, 2022. McPherson recently volunteered to receive training and serve as a certified nursing assistant to offset the ongoing healthcare staffing shortage the state faces as it continues to respond to COVID-19 and the basic health needs of residents (Courtesy photo).

Task Force 46 Leads Cyber Impact 2022 Exercise
March 7, 2022 — U.S. Army Task Force 46, commanded by Maj. Gen. Pablo Estrada, is a national response force supporting civilian responders to manage catastrophic chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents, hosts a cyber-attack effects exercise in Buffalo March 8-10, 2022. Exercise Cyber Impact 22 features leaders from 12 Army National Guard and other military units from across the country working subordinate to the 46th Military Police Command (MPC) to build relationships and develop mutually supportive plans and processes with local, state, federal, private sector, academic and Canadian partners. ... MORE

U.S. Army Task Force 46, commanded by Maj. Gen. Pablo Estrada, is a national response force supporting civilian responders to manage catastrophic chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents, hosts a cyber-attack effects exercise in Buffalo March 8-10, 2022. Exercise Cyber Impact 22 features leaders from 12 Army National Guard and other military units from across the country working subordinate to the 46th Military Police Command (MPC) to build relationships and develop mutually supportive plans and processes with local, state, federal, private sector, academic and Canadian partners.

MATES provides critical maintenance for units visiting NADWC
February 4, 2022 — One of the many things that makes northern Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) so attractive to visiting units is the state-of-the-art facility and team of knowledgeable, dedicated maintenance staff at the Maneuver and Training Equipment Site (MATES). Located at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, the site regularly supports a variety of units visiting during exercises or on drill weekends... MORE

Wisconsin Guard conducts ‘Winter Strike’ forward observation
February 2, 2022 — GRAYLING, Mich. – Round after round hits the impact zone at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. Some rounds — air bursts with white phosphorous — detonate seconds before impacting the frigid terrain.Forward observers with 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, used binoculars to survey the area, watching... MORE

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Joane Mathews, assistant adjutant general for the Wisconsin Army National Guard, conducts a battlefield circulation with the Fire Support Team, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, during Northern Strike 22-1 (“Winter Strike”) at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in Grayling, Mich., Jan. 27, 2022.

NADWC provides cold weather sustainment training during 'Winter Strike'
February 2, 2022 — The National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) recently hosted several military and civilian response units from across the globe in Northern Strike 22-1 (Winter Strike 22). With more than 148,000 acres of land and temperatures dipping below zero, Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Center, which is part of the NADWC, provided an opportunity for units to refine their critical combat skills. The National Guard Bureau-sponsored exercise that united service members from several U.S. states and partner forces occurred from Jan. 21-30, 2022 at Camp Grayling and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, which together comprise the National All-Domain Warfighting Center... MORE

Latvia-Michigan partnership succeeds again at “Winter Strike”
January 28, 2022 — As January ice, snow and wind blows across the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in northern Michigan, hundreds of military personnel from across the Department of Defense and allied nations are practicing tactics, training and procedures in these extreme cold weather conditions. The event is called Northern Strike 22-1 (“Winter Strike”), a National Guard Bureau-sponsored exercise held from January 21-30, 2022 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., which together comprise the NADWC... MORE