Example Article for Honoring Our Veterans
Honoring Our Veterans – Mike Fisette
Author: Matt Nelson
Honoring Our Veterans – Mike Fisette
Matt Nelson
Staff Sergeant Michael Fisette has been with the Montana Army National Guard (MTARNG) for over 13 years. He went on one deployment from 2013 to 2014 to Kuwait. Then he became a Federal Technician working on helicopters, both as a mechanic and as a crew chief. He still wore his uniform full time during the week, and then did his weekend drills for one weekend a month and two weeks a year, active duty. In 2021, he became a full-time National Guardsman, called an AGR (Active Guard Reserve), and worked as a Career Councilor until February of this year, when he became a recruiter.
After going to Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), he spent one weekend drilling in a maintenance company at Helena Aviation Facility, and then went to a flight company, which was Alpha Company, 1-189th GSAB (General Support Aviation Battalion); basically they can do it all from attack, transport, and supply. Then he deployed to Kuwait.
“That is when I became a crew chief, which is basically an onboard mechanic. I started off with the Blackhawk helicopters, UH-60s, and when I came back from my deployment, I started working at the Broadwater County Sheriff’s office as a Detention Officer. I worked at the Sheriff’s office just over a year and then became a full time technician for the Montana Army National Guard."
The Montana Army National Guard has four airframes: the C-12, and LUH-72, UH-60 and CH-47 Chinooks. The C-12 is a fixed-wing aircraft, used for transporting generals or higher command officers to flight simulators or where they need to go. It is almost like a presidential plane. We just have a small version of it. The Light Utility Helicopter LUH-72 (Lakota) is used for boarder missions, search and rescue, etc. The CH-47 Chinooks often fly over Townsend, heading to and from the Limestone Hills to support the military activities that go on there. It has the two big props and is about the size of a school bus.
Michael carries all the mechanical certifications needed for these airframes. He also got his Airframe and Power plant (A & P) civilian license through the military, and they paid for it. He was able to take his military experience and his Federal Technician experience and put in for the certificates for the FAA and to take his test.
"I needed the A & P license for the LUH-72, because the maintenance records were not only maintained on the army side, but also on the FAA side. It was important to make sure that we were in line with both. I have over 600 hours flying on helicopters as a crew chief, and that was my most interesting and fun time with the guard. You get to see parts of Montana that most people don’t get to see."
"If I had the ability to do it, I would encourage anyone to be deployed once. I am not saying to be deployed to shoot up a country, or do anything like that, or get shot at. I am basically saying to go and see what another country is like. Going on a deployment to other countries makes you appreciate Montana and the United States more. Montana has partnerships with other countries; we send soldiers to go help with their training activities. I also encourage young people to join the Montana Army National Guard. You can contact me at Michael Fisette, 406-465-2227, Michael.a.fisette.mil@army.mil."
“Now a reserve deputy for the county I love”. He said, “It’s a way to give back to the community, by just being there to help. The good Lord has been a huge blessing in my life. I am just going to say that right off the bat”.
Mike and his wife have four sons (including one on the way) and two daughters.
“I enjoy Townsend. I enjoy the community we have here. It is a good group of people. I hope it stays this way. Nice and quiet and peaceful”.
Thank you, Mike, for your service to our country.
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PhotoCredit: Matt Nelson
Image 1 Caption: SSGT Mike Fisette
Photo Credit: Matt Nelson
