REGION- On Aug. 14, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan National Guard during their annual Northern Strike military readiness exercise. The joint training is one of the Department of Defense’s largest reserve component readiness exercises, taking place across Michigan from July 23 to Aug. 19.
“When it comes to national defense, our message is simple: We are all in,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michigan is honored to host the Northern Strike military readiness exercises again this year. As Commander-in-Chief of the Michigan National Guard, I couldn’t be prouder to support our troops as they train alongside servicemembers from across the country and the world. No matter the challenge, Michigan is ready to rise to the occasion, especially when the results make a real difference for our national defense and our communities.”
“Michigan is excited to serve as host of the Northern Strike exercise again this year,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “The Northern Strike venue affords units training in Michigan the opportunity to train alongside our multicomponent, multinational, and interagency partners. Each year this exercise continues to provide dynamic, challenging, and collective training which closely replicates what our Soldiers and Airmen could face in real world situations.”
The Michigan National Guard (MING) began hosting NS in 2012 and it has since grown into a joint, multi-national exercise program. The exercise provides participating units a chance to conduct robust and relevant scenario-based, full-spectrum readiness training and complete mission essential tasks.
