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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*     

March 24, 2024   

Contact: [email protected]    

    

*Gov. Whitmer Attends Departure Ceremony for Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers* 

 

*LANSING, Mich. —* Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Commander-in-Chief of the Michigan National Guard, addressed 84 soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard’s 272nd Regional Support Group (RSG) along with their families and guests at Eastern High School in Lansing. The soldiers are preparing to depart for their one-year long deployment to the Middle East later this month. 

 

“The Michigan National Guard has a reputation of accomplishing the mission with an unmatched level of professionalism and dedication,” said *Governor Whitmer*. “I was honored to join the soldiers and their families as they prepared to deploy for their next mission overseas. As governor, I will work with anyone to support Michiganders serving overseas and their families back home. Together, we will keep our state and nation safe.” 

 

Troop Deployment

 

“As we send our soldiers across the globe to protect the security of this nation, it is imperative to remember the critical role that the families play back home,” said *Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers*, adjutant general for the Michigan National Guard and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “We have extensive resources within the department to ensure that all members of the deployed team and their families feel supported, and the support systems available are with them in every phase of deployment and after their return.” 

 

The more than 80 Soldiers from the MIARNG will be fulfilling duties in logistics and base operations while deployed to locations within Iraq and Kuwait. Prior to their overseas departure, the unit will be traveling to Texas for a two-week pre-deployment training. This marks the third deployment for the 272nd RSG since 2008, where the Soldiers have supported overseas U.S. operations in various Middle Eastern countries in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

 

“This is not a new mission for most of our soldiers; however, the geography across which we will be working adds a challenging dynamic,” said *U.S. Army Col. Jeffrey Austhof*, commander of the 272nd RSG headquarters. “The logistical support our soldiers will be providing is going to directly impact the morale and welfare of thousands of other service members deployed throughout the CENTCOM region.” 

 

*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.  

   


* 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.   
* Appointed over 100 active military and veterans to numerous boards and commissions. 
* Proposed [ [link removed] ] free lifetime access to a state park for Michigan veterans and current active-duty service members. 
* 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.    

* Signed bipartisan legislation [ [link removed] ] expanding the Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program, allowing dependents and spouses of service members to pursue higher education at a lower cost. 
* 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   
* Signed legislation [ [link removed] ] expanding voting rights for military members and families serving overseas. 
* 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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