After undergoing multiple eye surgeries in early 2017 that prevented her from traveling, Brig. Gen. Tammy J. Maas, assistant adjutant general for the Wyoming Army National Guard, made one last official visit with Wyoming soldiers of the C Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment in Fort Greely on March 3, while the Cowboy troops trained at
Arctic Eagle 2018 at Fort Greely, Alaska.
Maas retires from the Wyoming Army National Guard on April 8 with more than 39 years of service.
“It’s the pride in seeing the soldiers and the sacrifices they make to come to drill and to serve the state and nation,” said Maas, who after missing out on watching units train last summer, was grateful for the opportunity to
get out and see the troops in a training environment one last time. “It gives me a lot of pride to go out and see them during their training and visit with them.”
The troops of Charlie Company joined seven states and a contingent of Canadian reserves for Arctic Eagle 2018, during is annual training Feb. 20 – March 8. The training provided them an opportunity to enhance their arctic warfare skills under the supervision of the Alaska National Guard.
Maas, along with command teams from Wyoming and several other states, toured the training areas and observed live fire exercises.
“It’s the opportunity to see them do what they actually joined the Army for,” Maas said. “It’s the hands-on training as opposed to sitting in briefings or being in the armory. They are out actually doing their job.”
Lt. Ben Taylor, a platoon leader with Charlie Company, said having Maas brave the elements was a morale booster for him and his soldiers. “I think the soldiers really appreciated having her come visit us in Alaska,” he said. “When everyone is freezing their tails off it’s nice to see the leaders coming out to check on the soldiers and share in a little of the misery we are feeling.”