Mike and K-9 Odin

My name is Mike Gunderson. I retired from the Minnesota Army National Guard in June
of 2024 after serving just over 37 years. I have been married to my incredible wife Kim for 27
years and we have two adult kids. I am horrible at talking about my experiences in the military,
so please bear with me.

I enlisted in 1986 at the age of 17 while still in High School. My first MOS was 67N UH-
1H Huey helicopter mechanic and crew chief. Eventually the UH-1H was retired and replaced by

the UH-60 Blackhawk. I spent the first 15 years as a Federal Technician as an aircraft
mechanic, then moved on to a Standardization Instructor for enlisted crew members. I flew a lot
with new pilots and crew chiefs while going through their basic and mission level training in the
aircraft. I’m thankful the Instructor Pilots were as good as they were. I walked away from a lot of
close calls that could have ended badly. I also flew a lot of State Active Duty missions which
included fighting wildfires with water buckets, searching for lost people, flood relief missions and
a month in New Orleans after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
My first deployment was to Iraq in 2001-2008. We were stationed at LSA Anaconda near
Balad, Iraq. Also known as “Mortoritaville” for the number of times we experienced indirect fire
from outside the wire. Our missions included flying air assaults, troop transport, VIP transport,
prisoner transport and transporting Fallen Angels (human remains). I was a section sergeant in
charge of 12 junior enlisted soldiers. All crew chiefs as well. It was my job to make sure they all
performed to standard and didn’t do anything stupid. We flew all over that country. About half my
time was during the day and the other half was at night under NVGs. I preferred NVGs because
you could at least see where the enemy fire came from and we were blacked out (no aircraft
lighting that you can see unless you have NVGs on), so the cover of darkness was nice. Enemy
engagements were infrequent, but they did happen. Small arms, heavy machine guns and
RPGs. I had a pretty hard time readjusting to life at home afterwards. Flights were kind of boring
because there was less danger. Not wearing body armor or an M240H machine gun sitting in
front of you. After having someone do your laundry, feed you and pretty much take care of
everything, it’s difficult to just slip back into home life. Life at home has gone on without you. Not
to anyone’s fault, but you feel a bit lost and disconnected.
It was after my first deployment that a close friend encouraged me to apply for an AGR
position as a Training NCO. I got the job and eventually progressed to a unit Readiness NCO,
Battalion and Brigade Schools NCO and an Operations NCO at both the Battalion and Brigade
levels. When I was in the Battalion Schools NCO position, my workload was greatly reduced so
I had more time on my hands to think. This is when the flashbacks, anxiety and depression set

in. I was a mess. I thought I would lose my security clearance and quite possibly my job. I had a
family to provide for, so stress levels were skyrocketing.
My second deployment was to Kuwait in 2012. The only real danger was us and the
weather. I thought the sandstorms in Iraq got bad. Kuwait reminds me of what the surface of the
moon must look like. When there is no moon at night and you are flying under NVGs, there is no
horizon, so aircraft elevation while flying low level is very difficult and stressful. Plus, if you’re in
a formation flight, keeping an eye on the other aircraft is hard when all you can see is a taillight.
Near mid-air collisions and impacting the ground under power were the most feared.
In 2018, I hit the point where I had to do something for my mental health. I ended up
seeking help from the St. Paul Vet Center. Best decision I could have made. After months of
one-on-one counseling, I was placed in a group. Not just any group. A Vietnam Vet group run by
my counselor. How intimidating is that? He said I was too old for his other groups. Another great
decision. I love those guys and still stay in touch after the group was broken up due to COVID
and VA rules. To this day, I still receive counseling from the Vet Center. If you have not tried
EMDR, I highly encourage it.
About a year and a half ago, my son was at an event in River Falls. Coco’s Heart Dog
Rescue was there, and my son was texting me telling me I had to meet this dog. We had put
down our last dog the prior year and were not planning on another dog. I went to meet the dog,
now known as Odin and applied for adoption that very day. Ever since then, we’re best buds. I
take him everywhere I can with me. Especially fishing. I was fortunate to go fishing with Cast
and Hook Fishing one fall. Since then, I bought a boat and joined the team. I’m looking forward
to giving back to veterans and first responders that also suffer PTSD. A very rewarding
experience.
My wife and kids have always been supportive, even before we really knew what the
issues with me all were about. I thank the good Lord above each and every day for them. I am
excited to start this next journey with my family and Odin and am very thankful for the
opportunity.