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‘Like a yacht with missiles’ – Trump praises Navy frigate being built in Marinette

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At Fincantieri Marinette Marine Thursday, President Donald Trump praised shipyard workers, who will construct a new warship for the U.S. Navy. He also seemed to imply that he had input into the final design of the vessel.

“People don’t realize the talent that we have. We started getting away from it. We started not building in the navy. We haven’t built enough ships. The ships that they were building, they looked terrible. I changed designs, I said ‘that’s a terrible looking ship, let’s make it beautiful.'”

Trump said the ship is beautiful, in his words, “like a yacht with missiles.” The Wisconsin shipyard was awarded a nearly $800 million contract to build a first-in-class guided missile frigate for the Navy, with options for up to 10 ships.

Trump spoke in front of the future USS Cooperstown, and also promised additional investment in the Marinette shipyard and boasted about the advanced design of the vessel.

The president’s visit to northeast Wisconsin also included a taping of a town hall with Fox News personality Sean Hannity, a strong supporter of the president and his policies.

Trump’s presence in the state came the same week as a campaign stop by Vice President Mike Pence, who courted crucial white evangelical voters in the Milwaukee suburbs on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, a newly released Marquette Law School Poll showed Trump trailing former Vice President Joe Biden among likely voters here.

Wisconsin National Guard staffing mobile testing sites around state

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The Wisconsin National Guard remains on the front lines of the state’s coronavirus response. A total of 25 specimen collection teams made up of nearly 600 Guard personnel are staffing mobile COVID-19 testing sites around Wisconsin.

Community-based sites are located in Madison, Milwaukee and Racine. The Guard is also doing site-based testing at state prisons in Columbia, Dodge and Kenosha Counties, and senior living facilities in Oostburg and Sheboygan Falls in Sheboygan County

National Guard ends public safety deployment in Wisconsin cities

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The Wisconsin National Guard has concluded its public safety mission in the state’s largest cities. Governor Tony Evers’ office said Tuesday that nearly 1,500 Guard personnel were mobilized, beginning May 30 in Milwaukee.

The Guard completed its work there on Monday, along with Madison, Green Bay and Racine. The mission in Kenosha wrapped up last week.

All the deployments came at the request of local officials in response to urban violence and looting that was largely separate from peaceful protests over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

Wisconsin National Guard contingent returns from Afghanistan

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The latest contingent of Wisconsin National Guard soldiers is back home. About 40 members of the 128th Infantry, Red Arrow brigade, landed in Fort Hood, Texas Tuesday.

They’ll stay in Texas for a few weeks, and should be in Wisconsin by the end of the month. Commanders say there are still about 200 Wisconsin citizen-soldiers in Afghanistan providing security for coalition forces.

U.S. Air Force confirms F-35s coming to Madison Air National Guard base

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The U.S. Air Force says F-35 fighter jets will be coming to Madison’s Air National Guard base. The formal announcement, from the ofice of U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, follows a lengthy review process. The jets will replace aging F-16s based at Truax Field on Madison’s North Side.

Basing the F-35 at Truax was opposed by neighborhood groups and even the Madison Common Council, which approved a resolution opposing the jets.

Supporters, including the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, argued that Wisconsin needs the Air National Guard more than ever, to keep the state safe.

Truax’s 115th Fighter Wing will receive 18 F-35As, which will begin arriving in 2023.

Evers asks DNR to close 40 state parks and recreation areas

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Governor Tony Evers on Thursday directed the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to close 40 state parks, forests, and recreation areas. This, in an effort “to protect the health and safety of Wisconsinites,” as many parks have experienced heavy attendance the first two weeks of April, and consequent lack of social distancing.

Affected parks, forests, and recreational areas will close at the end of the day Thursday, and will remain closed until further notice.

Public health officials determined the situation has reached a point where public safety in the parks and surrounding communities takes precedence over keeping these locations open. If the public does not follow social distancing guidelines or vandalizes property, more state parks may have to close.

 

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.