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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*?

June 22, 2023?

Contact: [email protected] ?

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*Photos: Gov. Whitmer?Joins Michigan National Guard Troops During NATO?s Largest-Ever Air Defense Exercise*?

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*LANSING, Mich.* ? Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer traveled to Ramstein Air Base, headquarters of USAFE-AFAFRICA, to visit?with Michigan National Guard Airmen and thank them for their service as they conducted multinational exercises with NATO across Germany during the Ukraine/Russia conflict.?

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?Michigan National Guard Airmen deliver air power anytime, anywhere,? said *Governor Whitmer*. ?It was an honor to visit Michiganders serving in Germany, a key Ukraine ally, and see first-hand the work they?re doing to strengthen relationships with NATO nations, bolster military readiness, and help deter aggression around the world. We will have their backs by ensuring they have the resources they need to carry out their missions and the support they and their families need to thrive back home.? ?

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Allied air forces began the largest deployment exercise in NATO?s history, Air Defender 2023, on Monday, June 12, 2023. The exercise, which lasted two weeks, included approximately 2,600 U.S. Airmen and 100 aircraft from 42 states, who joined with 24 nations, including the U.K., Germany, France and Japan, to enhance joint capabilities around the globe.??

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Governor Whitmer was joined by?Maj. Gen. James R. Kriesel, National Guard Assistant to the Commander of USAFE-AFAFRICA; Brig. Gen Rolf Mammen, commander of the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base; U.S. Air Force Col. Mansour Elhihi, commander of the 125th Operations Group, Jacksonville Air National Guard Base; and U.S. Air Force Col. Gary Dodge, commander of the 145th Maintenance Group, North Carolina Air National Guard Base. ?

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In May, Governor Whitmer visited Michigan National Guard troops in Latvia [ [link removed] ] to thank them for their service as they conduct multinational exercises with the Latvian Army on North Atlantic Treaty Organization?s eastern flank during the Ukraine/Russia conflict.?

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*Governor Whitmer?s Support for Michigan?s Service Members and Veterans*??

Governor Whitmer has worked to ensure Michigan?s service members, veterans, and their families have the opportunities and support they need to succeed. The administration has boosted outreach to veterans, ensuring they and their families have affordable healthcare, attainable housing, and paths to good-paying jobs.??

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* Appointed over 100 active military and veterans to numerous boards and commissions.?? ?
* Appointed by President Biden [ [link removed] ] to the Council of Governors to work with state and federal officials on defense, National Guard, disaster response, and other security issues.? ?
* Pushed [ [link removed] ] for a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.?? ?
* Secured resources to bolster [ [link removed] ] Selfridge and proposed [ [link removed] ] an additional $11.5 million to improve base infrastructure, support service members and their families.? ?
* Signed bipartisan bills [ [link removed] ] to make it easier for military service members, veterans, and their dependents to enter a licensed profession.?? ?
* Announced a partnership [ [link removed] ] between the Michigan National Guard (MING) and Michigan Helmets to Hardhats, a program connecting veterans to skill-training opportunities and careers in the construction trades? ?
* Secured funding [ [link removed] ] for the construction of a new veteran's home in Marquette and celebrated the opening of two new Michigan Veterans Home facilities [ [link removed] ].?? ?
* Invested in the modernization [ [link removed] ] of all Michigan National Guard armories to accommodate female service members [ [link removed] ].?? ?
* Opened the Kelly Johnson Joint All Domain Innovation Center [ [link removed] ] for military members, government, and industry professionals to research and collaborate.? ?

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*About Michigan National Guard*?

The Michigan National Guard provides trained, combat-capable forces in support of the national security strategy worldwide and defense support of civil authorities in response to federal emergencies within the United States and state emergencies within Michigan. For more information, please visit: [link removed].

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