Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs

Department of Military Affairs

The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) provides essential, effective, and responsive military
and emergency management capability for the citizens of our state and nation. DMA includes
the Joint Force Headquarters-Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard, Wisconsin Homeland Security and the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management.

Learn More About DMA


  Wisconsin National Guard News

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Independence Day message from the Adjutant General of Wisconsin

July 1, 2009

As you prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence with fireworks, picnics and community events. I ask that you take just a minute to remember the importance of our nation’s Independence Day and the role the National Guard played in it.

Today our role remains largely the same. We defend community, state and nation. We are an operational Guard. We are Always Ready — Always There. We are immediately accessible to respond at the local, state and federal level. I am particularly proud of the 10,000 men and women who serve in Wisconsin’s National Guard. I am very grateful for the support of our families and employers in our communities.

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Guardsmen help make Rhythm and Booms a smashing success

July 1, 2009

As residents across the state look forward to the Independence Day weekend, members of the Wisconsin National Guard got an early start on the nation’s holiday courtesy of the 2009 Rhythm and Booms celebration, held at Madison’s Warner Park.

Rhythm and Booms fans have become accustomed to a dazzling fireworks display set to music. Wisconsin soldiers and airmen brought the heavy metal — cannons, Humvees, Black Hawk helicopters and F-16 fighter jets.



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Col. Steve Bensend

Live from Iraq: 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team discusses US hand over to Iraqi security forces

June 30, 2009

Col. Steven Bensend, 32nd Infantry Brigade commander, and Lt. Col. Tim Donovan, 32nd PAO, - both serving in Iraq with the Joint Area Support Group - Central (JASG-C) update Wisconsin about the hand over and Wisconsin Guard troops.

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Wisconsin Air Guard security force members deploy to Kyrgyzstan

June 29, 2009

Approximately 30 Wisconsin Guard airmen left Friday for a six-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.

The airmen are members of the Madison-based 115th Security Forces Squadron, part of the 115th Fighter Wing. After completing about two weeks of preparations at Fort Bliss, Texas, they will depart for the Kyrgyz Republic, located in the Central Command area of operations. They are expected to serve for approximately six months conducting law enforcement duties such as base defense and security escorts.

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Adjutant General holds e-town hall

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June 26, 2009

The Wisconsin National Guard's latest method to communicate with family members of deployed soldiers and airmen really clicked.

Brig. Gen. Donald Dunbar led what was dubbed an "e-town hall for families" Thursday, June 25 from the offices of the Joint Force Headquarters in Madison. As many as 60 family members took part in the roughly hour-long online chat, which ran the gamut from questions about equipment and redeployment to operational security concerns and care package ideas.

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Two Guardsmen make All-Army triathlon team

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June 26, 2009

Arlington, Va., (6/25/09) - A traditional Solider from the Wisconsin National Guard and a Florida Guardsman working full time at the Army National Guard Readiness Center recently earned spots on the All-Army triathlon team.

Capts. Brian Dunker, 30, and Anthony Lee, 36, were notified in early May that they had made the elite squad after submitting written applications in April detailing their successes in triathlons as well as other endurance sports.

Dunker, who is assigned to the Wisconsin Guard's 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, has finished about 10 triathlons in his two years in the sport. He served six years on active duty, which included a one-year tour in Iraq.

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Soldiers on track for future service

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June 25, 2009

Five soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, headquartered in Milwaukee, extended their enlistments during a public ceremony Saturday, June 20 at the Milwaukee Mile. Col. Mark Michie, commander of the 157th Brigade, presided over the reenlistment ceremony for Spc. Joshua Zimmerman, Sgt. Ryan Zinkle, Sgt. Kenneth Hudson, Sgt. James Tobin and Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Keeler. The 132nd Army Marching Band set the mood for the ceremony with service-specific songs and other marching music.

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  Wisconsin Emergency Management News

Governor Doyle Requests Damage Assessment

July 1, 2009

Governor Jim Doyle today requested the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) assess flood damaged homes and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin following heavy rains that occurred in June. This assessment would be the first step to determine if there is enough damage to qualify for low-interest loans.

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  Wisconsin Homeland Security News

State of Wisconsin Homeland Security Strategy- DRAFT 2009 - 2011

June 17, 2009

Wisconsin's comprehensive State Homeland Security Strategy outlines the direction for our prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts for the next three years (2009-2011).

We are requesting that you review and provide comments on this draft plan. Comments are due no later than July 1, 2009. A copy of all comments will be maintained by the Department of Military Affairs Legal Office and made available for public viewing.

Click here to read the draft and provide comments.


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