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.
“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.”
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.
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.
In May, Governor Whitmer visited Michigan National Guard troops in Latvia 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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