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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *   

August 15, 2023  

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*Gov. Whitmer Participates in Northern Strike Military Readiness Exercises* 

Over 7,000 members from 25 states, 1 territory, and several countries train at Camp Grayling this week. 

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*LANSING, Mich.* — Yesterday, 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 August 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.” 

 

Over 7,000 participants from 25 states, 1 territory, and 4 international partners will converge at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) for training focused on expeditionary skills, command and control, sustainment, and joint integrated fires. The NADWC encompasses the Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. Northern Strike participants are also conducting training at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airfield. Unique to this year’s exercise design is the integration of Intra-Theater medical care training, where participants will evacuate simulated patients to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for follow-on treatment. 

 

“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. 

 

*Michigan’s Defense Industry* 

In addition to enhancing our nation’s defense capabilities, the Northern Strike exercise series also serves as an important boost to the local economy. It brings an average of $30 million to Michigan’s economy annually in military pay, travel and local spending in northern lower Michigan. 

 

The defense sector is an important contributor to Michigan’s economy. Nearly 4,000 Michigan prime contractors account for $6.6 billion worth of goods and services to the Department of Defense, supporting 155,000 defense-related jobs.  

 

One of the key state economic drivers in the defense industry is the Detroit Arsenal, located in Warren, Michigan. The Detroit Arsenal is home to army ground vehicles and robotics, employing over 7,500 Michigan residents and contracts over $2.5 billion with Michigan companies. More than 100 years old, Selfridge Air National Guard Base employs more than 4,000 people and has an economic impact of about $850 million. 

   

Michigan’s defense workforce leads the nation in military vehicle production with 37% of total U.S. contracts. 

 

*State Partnership Program with Latvia* 

This year marks 30 years of partnership for Michigan and Latvia. The State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Michigan Army National Guard and the Latvian Ministry of Defense began on April 27, 1993 after Latvia’s independence from Russia.  

 

It was the first official partnership to be established under SPP. The SPP began when USEUCOM sought to establish bilateral relations with 15 former Soviet Republics. When the National Guard Bureau proposed pairing states with these newly independent countries, the proposal was accepted and endorsed by both the Department of State and Department of Defense.   

 

From August 11 to 16, the Commander of the National Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Leonids Kalniņš, will be visiting Northern Strike to discuss cooperation between the Latvian and U.S. Armed Forces in the field of defense, security and cooperation. During the exercises, Michigan and Latvia are building a world class long-range precision fires program. The partnership will increase capability between our engineers, and we are continuing to work together to develop Lielvarde Airfield into a hub that supports the security of the entire Baltic region’s airspace. 

  

In previous years, the Michigan National Guard hosted the Northern Strike exercise at Camp Grayling alongside the partner nation of Latvia. 

 

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