BATTLE CREEK, Mich.— The Michigan Air National Guard (MIANG) welcomed German Air Force Maj. Silas Scherer, basic training instructor officer, June 1 to 13, as part of the National Guard Bureau's 40th Annual Military Reserve Exchange Program (MREP).
Scherer was hosted by U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Sian, 217th Air Component Operations Squadron public affairs officer. Sian facilitated an in-depth look at the missions, readiness and capabilities of the Michigan National Guard (MING), while fostering a lasting professional partnership between the United States and Germany.
The MREP pairs U.S. National Guard members with reserve component personnel from NATO partner nations to strengthen interoperability, enhance professional relationships and improve mutual understanding of each nation's military capabilities and operations.
During his visit, Scherer toured KC-135 Stratotanker and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base. He also met with leaders at Michigan Joint Force Headquarters in Lansing and received in-depth mission capabilities briefings at the 110th Wing, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base. Scherer learned about the wing's cyber operations, MQ-9 Reaper mission and command-and-control capabilities.
In addition to learning about Air National Guard missions, Scherer explored the capabilities of the Michigan Army National Guard. He visited Camp Grayling, where he attended the Adjutant General’s social and the MING’s annual Pass in Review ceremony. Scherer then visited to the 177th Regional Training Institute at Fort Custer Training Center to learn about the education and training mission of the MING.
"Programs like this strengthen the enduring partnership between the United States and Germany, while providing valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, share best practices and build relationships that enhance readiness," said U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Guy, MIANG director of staff. "Hosting Maj. Scherer allowed us to showcase the diverse capabilities of the Michigan National Guard, from the National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) to air mobility and precision strike missions at our bases. These professional exchanges help ensure we remain ready to operate together whenever called upon."
Outside of official engagements, Scherer visited several of Michigan's most notable destinations, including the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Lake Michigan and the Mackinac Bridge.
"It has been an honor to participate in this exchange and experience the professionalism of Michigan's Airmen and Soldiers firsthand," Scherer said. "I was particularly impressed by the variety of missions and the expertise of the personnel performing them. The opportunity to learn, while building relationships across the organization, has been invaluable."
As part of the reciprocal exchange, Sian is scheduled to visit Germany in September 2026, where he will be hosted by the German Armed Forces and gain insight into their training, operations and military culture. The exchange will further strengthen the longstanding partnership between the United States and Germany while expanding opportunities for future collaboration between military professionals from both nations.