An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 13, 2021

Michigan Guard partner Latvia trains at readiness center

By Senior Airman Ryan Bishop, 110th Wing

ALPENA COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, Mich. – Firefighters from the Latvian National Armed Forces and the Estonian Defense Forces participated in the Northern Strike 21-2 training exercise in Michigan July 31-Aug. 14.

The Combat Readiness Training Center has areas specifically designed for fire training, including a simulated aircraft fire, road vehicle fires, and multi-story building fires. 

This multinational training environment enables units to learn from each other and improve skills. At the same time, U.S. forces can build stronger relationships with international partners and ensure they receive the same training as U.S. military personnel.

Training alongside international partners establishes confidence that U.S. missions abroad are supported by qualified personnel.

"It's a lot more cost-effective for our coalition partners to be trained up to a level of service than for us to deploy U.S. personnel to support our own aircraft," said Alpena CRTC Fire Chief Jeremy Wohlford. "We're helping them build their capabilities to be able to sustain if something were to happen."

Expanding the capabilities of U.S. forces abroad is important for continued mission success, and strong international partnerships allow the U.S. to heighten the deterrence and support capabilities of our allies.

The United States has worked with many countries through the State Partnership Program. Michigan's official partners through the SPP are Latvia and Liberia. Wohlford, working with multiple Air National Guard units throughout Michigan, has helped to build the Latvian National Armed Forces firefighter program from four firefighters to 34 since 2012.

"I think the program is really important because it's really helped us see the big picture when it comes to the Air Force," Wohlford said. "Over the years, working with our partners has been really rewarding."

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Air Force members from various Air National Guard units across the country watch as a C-5 Galaxy lands for a wet-wing defuel during Exercise Northern Strike 24-2 at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 9, 2024.
National Guard Showcases Capabilities during Northern Strike
By Airman Jordaan Kvale, | Aug. 12, 2024
OSCODA, Mich. - Active duty and reservists from the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps conducted a C-5 Galaxy defuel and simulated missile threat evacuation during Exercise Northern Strike 24-2 at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Aug...

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ted Schroeder, 507th Engineer Battalion, project officer in charge, discusses the potential wet-gap training area with Latvian Armed Forces leadership during the design phase of the Selija Military Training Area in Latvia, June 5, 2024. Michigan Army National Guard Army Corp of Engineers will collaborate with Latvian Zemessardze Engineers over the next several years, contributing to the Selonia Training Area at each development phase.
Michigan Guard, Latvia Collaborate on Airfield Capabilities
By Staff Sgt. Bethany Rizor, | July 8, 2024
LIELFVARDE, Latvia - Airmen from the Michigan Air National Guard are on a critical mission in Latvia during the first two weeks of June, collaborating to bolster the capabilities of Lielvarde Airfield to manage military...

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing on F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base board an HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft on F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., during Exercise Agile Rage 2024, Feb. 29, 2024. The combat readiness exercise emphasized the execution of the Agile Combat Employment concept.
Air National Guard Wings Participate in Agile Rage Exercise
By Staff Sgt. Sean Madden, | March 26, 2024
SAVANNAH AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ga. - Almost 200 members of the 106th Rescue Wing, New York Air National Guard, participated in the Agile Rage 2024 exercise at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center in Georgia Feb...