Northern Strike Hits Michigan

Personnel from Michigan’s two Air National Guard wings joined with state National Guard soldiers and airmen and troops from 16 other states, plus Canada and Latvia, for two weeks of joint training during Operation Northern Strike, according to a release. The exercise took place earlier this month at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, both of which are in the northern part of Michigan’s lower peninsula. A-10s and KC-135s from the 127th Wing at Selfridge ANG Base, northeast of Detroit, flew in the exercise, as did B-52, C-130, and F-16 aircraft from other states, according to the Aug. 20 release. Overall, the exercise featured more than 700 air sorties, including live-fire drills at the Grayling Aerial Gunnery Range. The 110th Airlift Wing in Battle Creek is Michigan’s second Air Guard wing; it operates C–21s. (Selfridge report by TSgt. Dan Heaton)