DVIDS – News – in Maines Raines highlights the willingness of the National Guard, the support of the family and the global reach

Bangor, Maine more than 2,600 army and air guards are ready to answer the call over the robust coast and the huge area of ​​Maine- equipped, equipped and ready to defend the home and support missions worldwide.

During a multi -day visit in the state on April 30 to May 5, the advisor John Raines, the top consultant of the boss of the National Guard Bureau, met with the army and air guards in all of Main to strengthen the waking willingness and celebrate their deep community relationships.

Raines traveled at the invitation of the state command SGT. Maj. Alexander Clifford, who originally acts as the main speaker for the annual National Day of Prayer observation of the state. However, the visit quickly developed into a broader opportunity to deal with service members in both components of the Maine National Guard.

“We don't travel anywhere for one reason,” said Raines. “This was an opportunity to see first -hand how guards here and serve their communities and the nation.”

During the prayer breakfast, Raines emphasized the importance of common values ​​between the military and its members. “I write my success in the military on my basic values ​​that match the values ​​of the army – and really with the wider service values,” he said. “You use different words, but the meaning is the same.”

As part of the trip, Raines was also accompanied by his wife Karen, who carried out commitments with family support services and standby groups during the visit. Karen was an unshakable military spell throughout her 36-year career and worked in a key role in each of his nominative leadership roles.

“It plays an important role in strengthening the guard family,” said Raines. “As I concentrate on the operational force, she ensures that the families of our service members are informed, connected and supported.”

Together with a drill weekend, Raines' travel route with the 265th fighter communication squadron of the Maine Air National Guard of the 265th Flat of Fight from the Maine Air National Guard. The exercise included teams that were used on Remote website in Maine and Puerto Rico to test their ability to establish and maintain communication in strict, competitive environments.

“They didn't even know where they went,” said Raines. “Some of them thought they were flying in a circle. They landed and were shocked to find themselves in Puerto Rico. That is the real readiness.”

The exercise showed an agile employment and the importance of the fast, resilient communication – the for modern common chambers of war of central provisions. According to Raines, these efforts support the focus of the Ministry of Defense directly, to fight and win under degraded conditions.

“If you cannot communicate, commanders cannot make decisions,” said Raines. “The ability of the guard to train under pressure, fail, learn and become better is how we sharpen this edge.”

The visit also included recognition ceremonies for Maine Guardsmen who supported the civilian authorities in life -saving missions. A few months earlier, a group of hunters outside the state went during the toughest route in the Maine winter, which led to a coordinated rescue reaction.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Couture, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Max Santagata and SGT. Caleb York from the Maine Warden Service for her crucial role in the search for a lost hunter under freezing conditions.

With temperatures, the sinking and the people who were insufficiently dressed for the environment, feared that they would not survive any further night in the forest. The professionalism and the quick action of the Guard team led to the discovery of the second hunter, whereby the coordinates were made available to Warten Porter, which enabled the rescue efforts.

Her actions were attributed to save both lives.

“This is what makes the guard unique – we are not only throaters – we are also critical partners in our communities,” said Raines. “This rescue was only possible because of the skills of the guard and the partnerships that they built, as with the Maine Warden Service.”

Despite its modest size in the wake -off structure, Maine beats well above its weight – a point that Raines has emphasized by emphasizing the high standards, mobility and mission effects of the state.

“A company size unit has the same standards and mission expectations as one in a larger state,” he said. “In a way, small conditions such as maine are more agile, detail-oriented. They also bring cold weather expertise and a level of operational readiness that are difficult to achieve.”

Maine's contributions also extend to overseas. The state military leaders have highlighted the guard support for Montenegro as part of the state partnership program. The Gardists from Maine reacted to a full-of government cyber attack and worked with international and interacting partners to restore systems and prevent further damage.

“This mission was a textbook example for strategic partnerships, cyber defense and operational agility,” said Raines. “The relationships and the trust that have been built over the years of cooperation have paid off when it was most important.”

During his visit, Raines emphasized the importance of every Guardsman in preparing for future conflicts. Conclusion: The guard remains the 24-hour connection of the nation between the hometown and high-end combat strength, and this relevance only grows.

“Regardless of whether it is a technician who has fiber optic networks, an Aircrew tank or training for squad leaders for domestic operations, each contributes to the overall power,” said Raines.

“Every piece is important. The willingness begins to own the mission before you, and Main's Gardemaner do exactly that.”

With skills that are rooted in the struggle, domestic reaction and international partnerships, Maine Guardsmen are ready to support their neighbors – whether at home or abroad – until the continuing strength of the thrust, family support services, emergency campaigns and global cooperation.

“The most important thing is that Maine's professionalism of the soldiers and planes from Maine -” I lead “.
— 30 —