An official website of the United States government
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 | April 14, 2023

Wisconsin Guard Black Hawks Respond to Large Wildfire

By Vaughn R. Larson, Department of Military Affairs

MADISON, Wis. - Two Wisconsin Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 helped battle a wildfire near Necedah in Juneau County April 12.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources requested the Black Hawks to bolster emergency fire support for what it called the Black River complex — two wildfires in Juneau County. 

One fire in the Jack Pine area affected more than 80 acres and resulted in the evacuation of residents but was contained by the evening of April 11. The second fire was near Fort McCoy and affected more than 2,800 acres. That fire was roughly 50% contained as of April 13.

The Black Hawk helicopters used large buckets to drop water on the wildfire area. The DNR said three Black Hawks were expected to help fight the fire April 13.

Before the Black River complex fire, Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency April 12 in response to elevated wildfire conditions. This emergency order allows the National Guard to be called to state active duty if needed.

“This is a real-time demonstration of the incredible value the Wisconsin National Guard provides,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general. “Our dual mission status makes critical assets like these Black Hawk aircraft available to the governor in emergencies such as this wildfire. Our Soldiers and Airmen continuously train to meet the needs of both our state and federal missions, whenever called upon.”
 

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Airmen assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 128th Air Control Squadron, fascilitate a training mission for airspace control and surveillance specialists from multiple NATO countries March 31, 2025, at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. The Air National Guard members hosted the training exercise for their military counterparts from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Hungary March 23 through April 3 as part of the National Guard's State Partnership Program. (Elements on monitors obscured for OPSEC)
Wisconsin Airmen Host Training for NATO Counterparts
By Senior Master Sgt. Paul Gorman, | April 11, 2025
CAMP DOUGLAS, WIS. – Airmen assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 128th Air Control Squadron recently conducted airspace control training for members of four NATO partner nations.The training exercise, held March...

Michigan National Guard Biathlon Team members compete at the Chief National Guard Bureau Biathlon Competition, held this year at the Mount Itasca Winter Sports Center in Coleraine, Minn., from Feb. 28-March 5, 2025.  The annual competition is held in one of three host states, Minnesota, Utah and Vermont, and is open to National Guard members in all 54 states and territories.
Michigan Guard Team Competes at Biathlon Championship
By 2nd Lt. Paige Bodine, | March 20, 2025
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan National Guard Biathlon Team competed at the Chief National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship at Mount Itasca, Minnesota, from Feb. 28-March 5. The annual event brings together top competitors...

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Austin Welk, assigned to the 829th Engineer Vertical Construction Company, 724th Engineer Battalion, 157th Mobilization Enhancement Brigade, Wisconsin Army National Guard, cuts boards with Royal Australian Air Force Leading Aircraftman Daniel Shaw, assigned to the 65th Air Base Recovery Squadron, to create new kitchen cabinets for base housing at the Air Transport Wing in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, March 13, 2025.
Wisconsin Guard Rehabilitates Papua New Guinea Base Housing
By Maj. Roger Roth, | March 18, 2025
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea - Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers worked with Australian Defence Force and Papua New Guinea service members to rehabilitate base housing at the Air Transport Wing.Soldiers from the Wisconsin...