RELEASE: Gov. Whitmer Calls Deployed Michigan Troops Ahead of Holidays

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 24, 2023 

Gov. Whitmer Calls Deployed Michigan Troops Ahead of Holidays

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer called actively deployed members of the Michigan Army National Guard to wish them happy holidays and to thank them for their service on behalf of the state of Michigan.

“Michiganders who serve in uniform around the globe sacrifice time with their families over the holidays to keep us safe, “said Governor Whitmer. “It was an honor to speak with Michigan service members today and thank them on behalf of every Michigander for keeping us safe. We will always have their backs through our words and our actions. Let’s keep working together to keep them safe during their missions and bring them back home soon.”

Governor Whitmer spoke to service members currently deployed to Saudia Arabia, Qatar, and Germany. These brave Airmen are tackling a wide range of challenges in each of their respective missions, bringing their expertise in air intelligence, cyber operations, logistics and security to get the job done. The Airmen are members of the:

127th Security Forces Squadron, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base (Macomb County)
272nd Cyber Operations Squadron, 110th Wing, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base (Battle Creek)
110th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 110th Wing, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base (Battle Creek)
110th Air Intelligence Squadron, 110th Wing, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base (Battle Creek)

“Today, there are close to 400 members of the MING serving away from their homes and families,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Whether providing force protection, supporting air operations or maintaining critical cyber security infrastructure, their selflessness and loyalty to their mission should be honored. We look forward to welcoming each unit and individual home safely to their families.”

Investing in Michigan’s Military Families

Governor Whitmer has made significant investments to grow economic opportunity, access to health care, and more for Michigan’s veterans, service members, and their families.

Signed legislation lowering costs for families of disabled veterans by eliminating red tape and ensuring spouses can maintain property tax exemptions.
Expanded the National Guard tuition assistance program to cover spouses and dependents, lowering the cost of higher education for military families.
Removed barriers for veterans to get commercial driver’s licenses and signed a bill to help service members, veterans, and their dependents enter a licensed profession.
Launched the statewide outreach and advertising campaign “I Served. I Am a Veteran,” to engage veterans, collect their stories, and connect them to benefits. 
Pushed for a new fighter mission at Selfridge and secured resources to modernize the base.
Stood up the National All-Domain Warfighting Center at Camp Grayling and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center providing training in land, air, maritime, cyber environments.

###