LANSING, Mich — More than 800 members of the Michigan National Guard have been helping to clean up and repair damage in northern Michigan after a devastating ice storm last month.
The March 28 ice storm coated trees, power lines and roads in thick ice sheets. Neighborhoods were devastated in minutes. Trees snapped and crashed to the ground, blocking access. Power lines fell, leaving homes without electricity, while emergency crews could not reach those needing help.
It quickly became clear this wasn’t just another spring storm, called the “ice storm of the century,” according to the Petoskey News-Review. The damage stretched across more than 10 counties.
By April 2, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had activated the Michigan National Guard to support overwhelmed local agencies.
Lt. Col. Alex Kashenider, commander of 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery Regiment, led the joint task force. He received the call about the activation while feeding his children at home.
“I thought, alright, I’m in charge of this,” he said. “Fortunately, I have an outstanding staff behind me.”
What began as a smaller mission with 50 troops quickly expanded to more than 800 Soldiers and Airmen working across the state.
“At first, the mission focused on housing utility crews,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Hopkins, senior enlisted leader for the Michigan Army National Guard. “But then we realized it was much bigger than we anticipated. We started with 50 Soldiers, and a few days later, we had 800.”
Kashenider strategically deployed his forces to tackle the evolving mission. In addition to the quick reaction and rapid reaction forces, military engineers were critical to the effort. Those units, organized into specialized debris removal teams, had the training and equipment to clear roads and debris. With roads blocked and infrastructure down, utility crews couldn’t restore power until the engineers cleared the way.
The mission started with a convoy to northern Michigan despite freezing rain, snow and hazardous roads. There were no vehicle accidents, which Kashenider attributed to the troops' discipline and professionalism.
“They’re doing hard work in awful weather, and they’re doing it with care,” he said. “It’s unbelievable what we’ve accomplished.”
Leadership knew the pace of the growing mission would only be sustainable if they prioritized their people. Hopkins and others worked to bring in USO support, secure hot meals and provide space for soldiers to rest between 15-hour shifts.
“It’s easy to do the bare minimum,” Hopkins said. “But real leadership is making sure your people are taken care of.”
It became clear that rapid mobilization and responsiveness would be key as the operation expanded. Capt. Jennifer Morrison, commander of the 1776th Military Police Company, led her team as part of the state’s quick reaction force that mobilized within 12 hours. Her Soldiers were among the first to reach the hardest-hit areas.
“We were told at 6 p.m. we were going,” she said. “By 6 a.m. the next morning, we were at the armory ready.”
Morrison’s unit helped support wellness checks and shelter operations for people with nowhere to go. In Alpena County alone, her team helped distribute food and essentials to more than 1,800 people in under 12 hours.
“It was the largest emergency distribution in the county’s history,” Morrison said. “The need was overwhelming.”
Guard teams across the state worked long hours to help restore normalcy, including clearing roads, cutting trees, supporting shelters and delivering critical supplies.
For many service members, the most powerful part of the mission was the response from the communities they served.
“People were coming out of their homes just to say thank you,” Kashenider said. “We have had non-stop appreciation from everyone, firefighters, police, and residents.”
Morrison said that was the moment it all sank in.
“When you see that level of devastation, and then you see the relief on people’s faces when help arrives, it’s humbling,” she said. “That’s when you realize just how important the Guard is.”
For Kashenider, that’s what makes the National Guard different.
“We’re part of these communities,” he said. “We’re not just here to respond—we’re here to serve our neighbors. That’s the heart of the mission. We bring compassion to the fight.”
The Michigan National Guard has cleared more than 500 roads and delivered more than 3,000 meals, with the mission ongoing.