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Adjudant General explains National Guard role in state’s COVID-19 response

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Forget the rumors you’ve heard about the National Guard’s role during the coronavirus outbreak. A Milwaukee radio host got the ball rolling rumor-wise last week, claiming the Guard would enforce Governor Evers’ orders. The claim was quickly walked back, but just as quickly circulated.

Wisconsin National Guard Adjutant General Paul Knapp, in charge of Emergency Management, says the Guard’s Citizen Soldiers are here to help support the state’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, and asks us to do the same.

“We need you to adhere to the recommended guidelines,” Knapp said in a brief video shared to Twitter on Wednesday. “This includes social distancing, proper hand washing, and most importantly, temporarily eliminating discretionary travel.”

“So when you see us out there, don’t be concerned or frightened. This is an all of Wisconsin effort, and we’re all working together,” Knapp said.

The Guard detailed the work being done in a press release last week:

The Wisconsin National Guard continues to work closely with partner state agencies to anticipate other needs and potential requests for assistance. The more than 300 Wisconsin National Guard troops mobilized to state active duty are currently preparing for potential missions that could include specimen collection at mobile testing sites, transporting supplies or equipment, logistics support, and additional medical support to communities.

Rumors that the Guard is enforcing Evers’ “Safer at Home” order or doing things like blocking entrances to grocery stores are just that — rumors.

Enforcing governor’s orders not the responsibility of Wisconsin National Guard

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The Adjutant General of the Wisconsin National Guard said personnel won’t be tasked with keeping people in their homes.

Major General Paul Knapp said the Guard is being deployed to help doctors and public health managers. Knapp said troops will not act as police, nor will they enforce Governor Tony Evers order for people to stay at home.

Knapp said rumors about a troop-enforced lock-down are simply that — rumors. Governor Evers said enforcement of his “Safer at Home” order is a local responsibility.

Wisconsin National Guard will transport 37 state residents on board cruise ship

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The Wisconsin National Guard has been mobilized to transport 37 state residents who are on board a cruise ship currently docked in Oakland.

Brigadier General Joane Mathews said at a news conference Thursday the National Guard received the request to mobilize from the Department of Health Services Wednesday. Up to 30 soldiers and airmen will serve as drivers to transport the 37 citizens back to their homes for self-isolation.

The flight carrying those 37 Wisconsinites from the Grand Princess will land at a location still to be determined, Mathews said. At that point they will be greeted by DHS personnel and National Guard drivers, who will transport them back home.

“This is not a security mission, and our soldiers and airmen will not be armed,” Mathews said. “They are merely providing the manpower and drivers necessary to assist DHS in getting these citizens home safely and efficiently.”

Antigo native is Wisconsin’s new Adjutant General

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Governor Tony Evers has appointed a new Adjutant General of the Wisconsin National Guard. The appointment of Brigadier General Paul Knapp comes after Major General Donald Dunbar was asked to resign after his handling of sexual assault and harassment allegations.

Knapp will serve a 5-year term as the head of the Wisconsin National Guard and the Department of Military Affairs. Concurrent with his appointment as Adjutant General, Knapp will be promoted to the rank of Major General. Knapp is a native of Antigo, Wisconsin and has served in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve since 1992. He’s currently posted to the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.

Congressman Gallagher seeks blacklisting for Chinese tech company Huawei

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A new defense spending bill is set for debate, and Congressman Mike Gallagher says a provision he authored will help protect the future of the Internet.

The bill would put tech company Huawei on a government blacklist.

“We’ve restricted the ability of our companies to do business with the telecommunications company, because it is an appendage of the Chinese Communist Party.”

Gallagher says Huawei has been trying to position itself against US firms. 

“In a bid to dominate the future of the internet, the future of 5G. We have to stand up to that. This is actually an area of bipartisan support.”

That bill also creates a new Space Force arm of the US Military, extends a pay raise to enlisted personnel, and limits the military’s use of PFAS.

Sen. Ron Johnson’s Homeland Security committee briefed on threats to US

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Senator Jon Johnson’s homeland security committee got a briefing on threats to the US on Tuesday.

Senators heard about an increase in threats from domestic terrorism, including a growing threat from white supremacists. Over 100 suspected domestic terrorists were arrested this year, with over 1000 investigations ongoing at any time.

David Glawe with D H S also briefed senators about an attack on US citizens in Mexico by a drug cartel.

Senator Johnson says Mexican gangs have more control over the southern border than either the US or Mexican authorities.

Madison alders ask Air Force to reconsider F-35 placement at Truax

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After hours of conversation, the Madison Common Council has decided to ask the Air Force to reconsider placing F-35 fighter jets at Truax Field.

Tuesday night’s council meeting hosted public comment, with most residents who spoke calling for the council to oppose the jets, which would replace the 115th Fighter Wing’s current F-16 jets, which are nearing the end of their service life.

Two possible resolutions were brought to the table. One, declaring the common council doesn’t want the jets at Truax Field due to noise. The other, acknowledging the noise concerns, but also pointing out the economic benefits, giving the Air Force the chance to mitigate any concerns. The final resolution combines language from the two.

Ultimately, it’s not up to the Common Council or local government to make a decision on the future of F-35s in Madison. The council’s decision is another public comment the Air Force will weigh before making the final decision in February of 2020.

WIBA

National Guard says Hardwood Range remains closed to hunters, hikers

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The National Guard’s Hardwood Range training area will not be open to hunters and hikers this fall.

Captain Joe Trovato says that change is due to recent policy shifts in the Department of Defense. “What the Air Force considers a hazard has greatly expanded over the past decade or so, just due to the types of munitions that they do use.”

Trovato says that’s because of the possible danger that someone will get hurt on the munitions that they drop during training. “It’s a low percentage probability certainly, however keeping with Air Force regulation, we certainly don’t want to expose anyone to any risk, even if it’s remote.”

Trovato says they’re sorry that they can’t allow that access, but that the safety of the general public and citizens is a top priority of the National Guard.

Study finds F-35 noise will impact homes in Madison

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If the Wisconsin Air National Guard gets a deployment of the military’s new F-35 fighter jets, it could make living near Truax Field in Madison very difficult.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that a new study by the Pentagon shows that over 200 acres of property near the airport could be “incompatible for residential use”. That’s because the noise from jets at the field would raise the average noise level around the facility past a 65 decibel level that’s deemed safe to live. It could get as loud as 115 decibels when plans take off and land, as loud as a rock concert.

More than 1,000 homes could be affected.

Wisconsin Air National Guard holding Northern Lightning Joint Training Exercise

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The Wisconsin Air National Guard is conducting its Northern Lightning Joint Training Exercise for the next 12 days. The skies over almost two dozen Wisconsin counties will be filled with the world’s most advanced military aircraft. Pilots will be testing the F-35 Lightning, the F-22 Raptor, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the E-A-18 Growler and others. The exercise will continue until August 23rd.