Montana Army National Guard Strengthens Sustainment Capabilities
GRAYLING, Mich. — Montana Army National Guard Soldiers of Company A, 372nd Division Sustainment Support Battalion (DSSB) successfully completed a rigorous and highly impactful Annual Training from Aug. 1-15, highlighted by their participation in exercise Northern Strike 26-2 from Aug. 3-12.
Northern Strike is one of the Department of War’s largest reserve-component joint, multinational exercises, designed to maximize combat readiness. For Company A, the exercise was more than just a training event — it was an opportunity to demonstrate the unit’s vital sustainment capabilities, support local communities in real-world crisis, and strengthen international alliances.
Notably, Company A’s training translated directly into real-world humanitarian assistance. A municipal water main burst in nearby Oscoda, Mich., leaving three-thousand troops without water. Company A swiftly responded by supplying clean, safe drinking water, keeping the exercise running on schedule.
During the exercise, Company A’s 1st Platoon took on diverse and challenging missions, including advanced sling-load training and Class I (subsidence and rations) management and distribution.
Concurrently, 3rd Platoon established water purification operations. Operating under tactical conditions, the platoon purified raw lake water into a consumable product, distributing it to external units across the training complex to sustain operations.
To keep the exercise moving, 2nd Platoon operated bulk fuel assets, and established distribution points to deliver critical petroleum supplies to multiple participating units. Their efforts ensured that tactical vehicles and equipment remained fully operational throughout the demanding multi-day exercise.
A defining feature of this year’s training was the integration of 39 service members from the United Kingdom. Attached directly to Company A for the duration of the exercise, the British troops served alongside their American counterparts as the company’s 4th platoon. This seamless integration allowed both nations to share tactical knowledge, build interoperability, and foster deep personal and professional bonds.
“Having our UK partners to train and operate with, brought an invaluable perspective to our joint international capabilities,” said 1st Sgt. Bryan Benz, the senior noncommissioned officer of Company A. “Sustainment is a global effort, and practicing how we would operate together in a multinational environment prepares us for future operations.”
With their successful completion of Northern Strike 26-2, Soldiers of Company A, 372nd DSSB returned to Montana having proven their capability to sustain the fight and perform alongside global allies.
