Michigan National Guard to Host Slingload Training Exercise in St Ignace

**This is a training exercise only**

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan National Guard (MING) will be participating in a slingload training exercise in St. Ignace on September 13 from 1-5 p.m.; September 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and September 15 from 7 - 9 a.m. The exercise will take place from Mackinac County Airport to a drop zone in Lake Huron east of St. Ignace.

Many aircraft and boats participating in the exercise will be traversing the waters between the Mackinac County Airport and a drop zone in Lake Huron east of St. Ignace. We are asking the public to avoid the safety zone that will be in place and to be aware of potential travel delays. Road Guards, who act as traffic controllers, will be posted on Hazelton St. at State St. to assist traffic as military vehicles move through the area. Additional Road Guards will be posted on N. Airport Rd. and at the entrance to the airport off State St. and will stop traffic anytime military aircraft is flying over carrying bridge equipment. Community members should utilize alternative routes to avoid traffic delays.

Rafting operations will occur in the vicinity of civilian watercraft launches at the St. Ignace Boat Launch. Two of the docks will remain in place and accessible for the public to use to launch and retrieve watercraft. Parking may be limited at the boat launch due to the presence of large military vehicles during the three-day exercise. There will be a designated Soldier present at the boat launch entrance to answer questions about launching and retrieving watercraft adjacent to exercise operations.

WHO: Michigan National Guard
WHAT: Slingload Training Exercise
WHEN: September 13 from 1-5 p.m.; September 14 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.; September 15 from 7 - 9 a.m.
WHERE: Mackinac County Airport Airport to a drop zone in Lake Huron east of St. Ignace; St. Ignace Boat Launch

The exercise will include the MING 1437th Engineer Company (1437 EN CO) out of Sault Ste. Marie. The 1437 EN CO is a multi-role bridge company that provides personnel and equipment to transport, assemble, disassemble, retrieve and maintain all standard and nonstandard U.S. Army bridging systems for wet or dry gap-crossings.

For this exercise, the unit will attach 22-foot bridge pieces to CH-47 Chinook helicopters at the Mackinac County Airport, which will then be transported to a drop zone east of St. Ignace in Lake Huron where they will be set into the water. Soldiers assigned to bridge crews then use Army watercraft (M30 Bridge Erection Boats) to assemble the floating bridge pieces together into an Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) multi-bay raft. The largest raft that will be built will be approximately 220 feet long and will be retrieved at the St. Ignace Boat Launch. The 1437 EN CO are executing these drills to train for future missions facilitating the movement of troops and equipment across contested river crossings.

"Setting conditions for combat formations to cross large bodies of water is one of the most difficult and complex missions that can be assigned to a headquarters during conflict," said Maj. Trevor Kay, operations officer for the 107th Engineer Battalion. "The 1437 EN CO is one of a select number of Army National Guard units that possesses the ability to execute gap crossing operations. We train annually with aviation teams to provide Soldiers crucial experience on the most expedient way to transport bridging equipment rapidly via air delivery. Northern Michigan provides unique waterways, airspace and community support that enables this critical training to take place for engineer and aviation Soldiers alike."

Media are invited to attend on September 14 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the meeting room in the main terminal at Mackinac County Airport at 1220 N State St., St Ignace to capture footage at the airport and remarks from leadership. Due to the increased presence of emergency personnel, we are asking media to avoid the use of drones, helicopters and boats on these days and steer clear of safety zones noted on the attached maps. To RSVP, please contact Maj. Trevor Kay at 517-285-9728 or [email protected].

For more information, please contact the Michigan National Guard Public Affairs office at 517-481-7735 or [email protected].