Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Announces New Leadership at Michigan Air National Guard

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) has announced two leadership changes across the Michigan Air National Guard. These changes reflect our commitment to excellence and the continued advancement of our organization under the guidance of exceptional leaders.

Brigadier General Leah V. Voelker is the commander of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base. She is responsible for ensuring combat readiness for more than 1,480 Airmen, eight KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, 21 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and providing installation support to more than 5,000 joint service members and civilian employees within 40 tenant units.

Brig. Gen. Voelker entered the Air Force in February 2001 and earned her commission from the Academy of Military Science in November 2001. She completed pilot training in July 2003 and has flown both the C-130 Hercules and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft missions. In her 24 years of service in the Michigan Air National Guard, she has commanded at the squadron and group levels and served as executive officer to the Adjutant General, Michigan National Guard. Prior to her current position, Brig. Gen. Voelker was the Deputy Commander of the Michigan Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Michigan. Brig. Gen. Voelker is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flight hours in the C-130 and KC-135 aircraft and has flown air mobility, aeromedical evacuation, aerial refueling and combat missions around the world. She has deployed in support of Operations Joint Forge, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel, served as Director of Operations for two expeditionary air refueling squadrons and was Director of Mobility Forces for Exercise Valiant Shield 25.

Lieutenant Colonel Lucas A. (Spaz) Freudenburg is the commander of the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. He is responsible for the mission readiness of the Center, the stewardship of the installation and the health and welfare of the military and civilian men and women that accomplish the base’s mission. Lt. Col. Freudenburg has deployed six times, as an MQ-9 evaluator pilot, and has flown in multiple areas of responsibility.

He graduated as an Honor Graduate from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in 2002 and completed Munitions Systems Apprentice Specialist training at Sheppard Air Force Base the same year. He received his commission in 2006 as a Distinguished Graduate of the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tennessee. Lt. Col. Freudenburg graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi in 2010. Lt. Col. Lucas Freudenburg has held various leadership roles, as Commander of the 110th Operations Support Squadron, the Air Component Operations Squadron A 5/8 Director, Exercise Chair for the National Guard Bureau Readiness Center, Chief of Scheduling, Chief of Standards and Evaluations, Wing Plans, Director of Inspection in the Inspector General Office and Wing Inspector General. Lt. Col. Lucas Freudenburg graduated from Western Michigan University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and received a master’s degree in organizational management from Colorado Tech University in 2013. He attended the Army War College in 2024 where he received a master’s degree in strategic studies.

“These distinguished leaders have consistently exemplified exceptional leadership, dedication and an unwavering commitment to our nation’s defense and security,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan DMVA. “They have surpassed expectations in the most demanding roles and remain invaluable assets to our organization. Congratulations to Brig. Gen. Voelker and Lt. Col. Freudenburg.”