Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Michigan Guard unit Trains in Tunisia at African Lion 22 By Capt. Joe Legros,
                126th Theater Public Affairs Support Element
 BEN GHILOUF, Tunisia – Southern Tunisia features a vast desert, poisonous scorpions, large camel spiders and multiple species of snakes. Fierce sandstorms and extreme heat are the norms during the summer. “Coming from Michigan, unit leadership agreed this would make for a unique training environment to test our equipment and challenge our Soldiers,” said U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Darin Alexander, first sergeant of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, Michigan National Guard. “A challenge is exactly what our Soldiers received.” The 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment signed up for overseas deployment for training exercise African Lion 22 at the Ben Ghilouf Training Area in Tunisia. African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest and premier annual exercise, involving more than 7,500 service members from 28 nations and NATO June 6 - 30. The training bolsters interoperability and supports U.S. military strategic readiness in Africa and worldwide. The infantry unit’s capabilities feature M4 rifles, including M320 grenade launcher modules, and belt-fed M249 squad automatic weapons and M240B machine guns. All these weapon systems were on display during training. “We train through extremely cold temperatures throughout the winter in Michigan,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Blackburn, a platoon sergeant. “It’s great to see our Soldiers and equipment can also withstand the stress of extremely hot weather and blowing sand.” To mitigate heat-related casualties, water and powdered electrolytes were always available. A medical team, organic to the unit, monitored Soldiers daily during and after training missions. As a result, the battalion completed range operations where Soldiers zeroed their weapons, executed reflexive fire scenarios and demonstrated weapons proficiency. Additionally, they conducted multiple dry and live-fire exercises incorporating combat lifesaver techniques on simulated casualties. The unit maintained individual Soldier readiness and welfare while also completing required company-level mission-essential tasks. African Lion’s culminating event was a joint combined arms live-fire exercise with the Tunisian Armed Forces, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, and Kansas and Oregon National Guard units. “When we deploy, we’ll deploy with partners,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Timothy Stark, commander of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment. “It’s essential to train together, learn from other units and militaries, and grow as a multinational team.” “We don’t always get to choose our operating environment, so we need to be prepared for anything,” he said while leading his unit through a simulated live-fire rehearsal on a 113-degree day. Along with the approximately 70 Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, who trained in Tunisia, thousands of other U.S. service members conducted exercises concurrently in Morocco, Ghana and Senegal during African Lion 22. The exercise strengthens shared defense capabilities to counter transnational threats and violent extremist organizations. Acclimating to the climate, knowing the terrain and training with partner nations are necessary to accomplish this goal. “We came to Tunisia to put our Soldiers to the test,” Alexander said. “They passed that test and we are ready when called upon.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Kansas National Guard
 Oregon National Guard
 Michigan National Guard
 African Lion
 Tunisia
 Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment Overseas Operations • 8 hours ago
 29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response Overseas Operations • 5 days ago
 134th Medical Company Joins Combined Resolve Exercise Overseas Operations • 6 days ago
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day Overseas Operations • 8 days ago
 Pennsylvania Guard Military Police Deploying to Guantanamo Bay Overseas Operations • 15 days ago
 2024 (23)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil