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Michigan National Guard Soldier advances through career progression
May 10, 2022 — WYOMING, Mich.—Career progression is an important part of military growth and development as a Michigan Army National Guard Soldier found out first hand. After graduating high school, Warrant Officer Carl Merchant, a wage leader at the Grand Valley Armory, followed his family tradition and enlisted in the U.S. Army as an active duty Soldier. His father and grandfather served a combined 31 years in the Army, molding the mind of Merchant to continue their legacy...

Michigan Air National Guard fuels ability to accelerate change; increase value through hybrid innovation
May 3, 2022 — Since September 11, 2020, the Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center (KJJADIC) has been at the forefront of innovation, leading transformational impacts to change the ways organizations conduct operations. On March 14, through Academia, Industry, Military, Hybrid Innovations (AIM-HI), the Michigan Air National Guard and KJJADIC sponsored the Cohort 3 Pitch Day, where Guard members who embrace modernization were given an opportunity to present innovative solutions to National Guard, US Air Force, and Department of Defense (DoD) agency leadership. AIM-HI is an Air National Guard innovation program to educate military members on the process of innovation through challenging problem-statements to combat near-peer threats to advance the modernization of our military...

Michigan Guard medical team saves life while mentoring Liberian partners
May 2, 2022 — Gomberg’s medical team visited the hospital as part of Michigan’s State Partnership Program (SPP) with Liberia. MING began working with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in November 2009, assisting the country with their medical response to infectious disease, engineering support and exchange of military best practices. The SPP is unique in that it links a state's National Guard with the military forces of another country in a mutually beneficial military partnership. Although many previous engagements involved sharing of military best practices, this current weeklong visit, from April 25-29, 2022, focused exclusively on advancing the capabilities of Liberia’s 14 Military Hospital. ...

Building leadership: MING hosts annual joint professional development training
April 26, 2022 — Every solid house has a strong foundation and the U.S military is built on a knowledgeable and confident noncommissioned and company grade officer corps. Building and maintaining this bedrock is an ongoing process, as the Michigan National Guard (MING) hosted its sixth annual joint professional development training April 20-22 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. ...

Michigan National Guard Engineers one of first Army units to field new equipment
April 26, 2022 — "The M917A3 heavy dump truck is an important innovation that enables the Michigan National Guard and 1434th Engineer Company (1434th EN CO) to be at the forefront of future operations,” said U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Adam Stojak, 1434th EN CO, 507th Engineer Battalion. “We always hear about the push for modernization in our military and this is a huge step in that direction.”...

Museum exhibit celebrates 75 years of the Air National Guard in Battle Creek
April 15, 2022 — The Battle Creek Regional History Museum recently unveiled a temporary exhibit celebrating the 75th anniversary of Battle Creek Air National Guard Base. The exhibit features numerous artifacts including photographs, flags and awards dating to the base’s federal activation in September 1947...

Michigan ANG firefighters aid county departments with live-fire training resources
April 13, 2022 — ALPENA, Michigan – Firefighters from Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center have spent dozens of off-duty hours this winter building live-fire training props to aid 12 county fire departments. A demonstration April 7th showcased how these small-scale buildings help ensure first responders are prepared to employ many important fire protection strategies...

Michigan National Guard holds Northern Exposure training exercise
April 13, 2022 — “Northern Exposure is an annual exercise designed to train Michigan National Guard Soldiers in domestic response operations while enhancing interagency and intergovernmental partnerships,” said Col. Robert Frazer, director of training and exercises, Michigan National Guard. “This year’s training event is in collaboration with the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division’s annual exercise and includes a variety of situational training exercises and tabletop events.”...

Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers Slated for Middle East Deployment
April 8, 2022 — LANSING, Mich. — An important part of any deployment is ensuring that family can join with their loved ones who are preparing to head overseas for a proper send-off and recognition. On April 2, approximately 350 Soldiers assigned to the Michigan Army National Guard 156th Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB), based in Howell, gathered with their families and invited guests at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and at Howell High School as they prepared to depart for their deployment to the Middle East...

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.”...