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 | Jan. 4, 2011

Senior Wisconsin Guard leaders visit deployed troops

By Courtesy Story

IRAQ - Wisconsin Army National Guard senior leaders found that 2010 was a busy, productive and successful year for Wisconsin Guard units deployed in Iraq.

Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, commander of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, and Command Sgt. Major George Stopper, the Wisconsin Army Guard's senior non-commissioned officer, visited the 724th Engineer Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment last month.

They found both units engaged in a brisk operation tempo as they assumed greater areas of responsibility as a result of troop reductions in Iraq.

"The sheer number of missions has increased tremendously," Anderson said. "They're taking it in stride. Senior commanders were extremely complimentary."

The 724th heads up Task Force Badger, the sole combat engineer asset in Iraq, which in addition to Wisconsin consists of National Guard Citizen-Soldiers from Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico, and active component Soldiers. The 724th has about two months remaining on its deployment.

The 147th supports the lone aviation brigade in Iraq, and conducts such missions as command and control, quick reaction force, troop movement and general support. The 147th is about halfway through its deployment.

Both Anderson and Stopper pointed out how the 724th and 147th significantly improved the operation and availability of theater-based equipment inherited from previous units, and the high level of morale even as the troop drawdown requires relocation from one base of operations to another. Elements of the 147th, for example, have already moved three times.

"They recognize the fluidity of the situation," Anderson said.

That fluidity may lead to challenges in the future, Stopper said.

"It's not just combat units we're downsizing," he explained. "Everything else we had gotten used to is downsizing. The supply lines are changing - before, it was just stuff coming in. Now it's also stuff going out."

"Organizations need to position themselves for when the inevitable happens," Anderson said. "There will be a tipping point where parts are not available."

Both leaders also commented on a significant change since their last visit, one that was obscured by the relative calm in Iraq today.

"It didn't hit me until we left - the absolute absence of armored combat vehicles," Stopper said. "No tanks, no Bradleys [or] armored personnel carriers on bases, only the route-clearing vehicles. There's still security on the bases, but it's obvious it's a new day in Iraq."

Anderson said that Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers clearly understand "where they are at, with moving away from kinetic operations to host nation support. They are embracing their mission during a very turbulent time due to the retrograde operations. They have the right attitude."

Stopper agreed.

"During our visit, I did not have a single Soldier from either organization who complained," he said. "The morale is awesome."

Finally, I would like to thank our team, including Brig. Gen. John Owen, the Air Guard assistant to Air Mobility Command's surgeon general office, Col. Bruce Guerdan, the Florida National Guard's air surgeon, and Dave Plaudis of my office, for coordinating this initial CCATT stand-up for the Air Guard.

Their hard work will not only benefit our warfighters, but it will also provide assets to our citizens during a national emergency here at home.

 

 

Related Articles
The 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company conducts training exercise, Operation Golden Corridor in Dahlonega, Georgia, August 15, 2025. Throughout the duration of the exercise, Soldiers simulated peer and near-peer electromagnetic warfare scenarios and enhance unit proficiency in spectrum mapping, RF detection, and alternative radar awareness capabilities under austere conditions.
Georgia Guard Company Leads in Electromagnetic Warfare Modernization
By | Aug. 27, 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard’s 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, based in Forest Park, Georgia, is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the Army’s modernization efforts within the...

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match, August 21, 2025, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The history of the Logan Duffy Rifle Match goes back nearly 90 years to the first match, which was held in 1936.
Massachusetts, New York Guard Members Compete in Historic Logan-Duffy Rifle Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton,   | Aug. 27, 2025
DEVENS, Mass. – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy...

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron a real-world rescue operation at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2022. After a Christen A-1 Husky crashed into a marsh, National Guardsmen rappelled and conducted a rescue operation, ensuring the aircraft was safely vacated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)
Alaska Air Guard Rescues Individual With Facial Laceration Near Knik Glacier
By Alejandro Pena, | Aug. 27, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued an individual with a facial laceration Aug. 25, about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage in the vicinity of Knik Glacier.The...