Governor Whitmer visits Camp Grayling, praises importance of Operation Northern Strike

CAMP GRAYLING, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) --Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Camp Grayling Monday as Operation Northern Strike enters its final week.

The governor was able to witness aerial operations and shelling at an artillery range.

This year’s Operation Northern Strike training involves more than 7,000 National Guard troops from around the country and the world.

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"I was just chatting with leaders who are here with soldiers from other parts of the world who are just aghast at how amazing this facility is. And the Michigan National Guard, the organization for Northern Strike, and how critical training like this is, as we ask men and women in our armed forces to put their lives at risk around the world. Facilities like this are what train them to do it so that they can do it safely," Whitmer said.

The Northern Strike training began in 2012 with guard troops coming for the unique opportunities Camp Grayling provides.

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But this is actually the 30th year that Latvian troops have come to northern Michigan to train.

Northern Strike runs through August 19.