Wisconsin Guard unit shows community what it's made of

By Staff Sgt. Brian Jopek
112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

May 4, 2010 - The Wisconsin Army National Guard is there when called upon to defend the nation, and it is there for natural disasters and other state emergencies. Recently, residents in the Berlin community had the opportunity to see what skills and equipment Guard Soldiers bring when they are called.

"The armory is owned by the people of the state of Wisconsin," said Lt. Col. Robert Boelkow, commander of the 332nd Rear Operations Center, based in Berlin. "They deserve to see what they have."

In addition to displays of military weapons and vehicles, the open house included displays of a unit tactical operations center featuring which focused on the ROC's role in coordinating state military response to a mock flood situation in the Berlin area, unit history, the state's Family Life program, the unit's Family Readiness Group, and the Recruiting and Retention Command's rock wall. The open house was also supported by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, whose members held a brat fry.

Boelkow said several unit members came in the day before on their free time and then early Saturday morning to help set up.

One of the more popular displays was the all terrain version of the military's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) line of vehicles. Known as the M-ATV, the vehicle on display had rolled off the production line at the Oshkosh Corp. plant the day before. After the open house, the M-ATV was taken to South Carolina for shipment to Afghanistan.

That was just one example of what Boelkow said helped make the open house a success. Weapons from other units were loaned for display as well. "That shows the level of support from other units and organizations," he said.

"The purpose of this open house, basically, was to make the community aware of the National Guard and how we support them in more than just a wartime situation," he continued. "This community has just always been very supportive of the 332nd."