U.S. Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, addresses attendees during the opening ceremony of the South American Defense Conference 2022 (SOUTHDEC 22).

Sept. 16, 2022

South American Security: Defense Leaders from 10 Nations Meet to Discuss Challenges, Cooperation

ECUADOR — U.S. Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, joined defense leaders from 10 nations to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation during the South American Defense Conference 2022 (SOUTHDEC 22).

Kentucky Guard signal leaders swap knowledge, build relationships with counterparts in partner nation Djibouti

Sept. 12, 2022

Kentucky Guard signal leaders swap knowledge, build relationships with counterparts in partner nation Djibouti

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti — Although the early-morning sun was still low in the sky, temperatures were already hovering near 100 degrees, as a small group of Kentucky National Guard signal leaders made their way in utility vehicles across the rugged, barren terrain of sunbaked Djibouti, a small country in East Africa.

A soldier lays on a grassy hill and fires a rocket.

Sept. 9, 2022

Department Moves Quick to Replenish Weapons Sent to Ukraine

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has contracted with an array of manufacturers to give back to U.S. military units what was taken from them to support Ukraine.

143d ESC and SEARISC collaborate to build readiness.

Aug. 31, 2022

Readiness Through Partnership

ORLANDO, Fla. — The 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the Southeastern Army Reserve Intelligence Support Center partner on a Military Intelligence-focused annual training event.

Michigan National Guard members of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, at the Ben Ghilouf Training Area in Tunisia June 27, 2022. They completed an overseas deployment for training exercise at African Lion 22, U.S. Africa Command's largest and premier annual exercise.

Aug. 29, 2022

Michigan Guard unit Trains in Tunisia at African Lion 22

BEN GHILOUF, Tunisia — Southern Tunisia features a vast desert, poisonous scorpions, large camel spiders and multiple species of snakes. Fierce sandstorms and extreme heat are the norms during the summer. “Coming from Michigan, unit leadership agreed this would make for a unique training environment to test our equipment and challenge our Soldiers,” said U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Darin Alexander, first sergeant of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, Michigan National Guard. “A challenge is exactly what our Soldiers received.”

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. First Class Steven Masters, Observer Coach Trainer, 2-361 Training Support Battalion, 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, gives guidance to Soldiers from the 888th Movement Control Team during a convoy brief at CSTX 86-22-02 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, August 16, 2022.

Aug. 23, 2022

Army Reserve CSTX enhances realistic environments for training of its forces and partner nations

FORT MCCOY, Wis. — The Army Reserve’s 86th Training Division facilitated Combat Support Training Exercise 86-22-02 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, August 6 – 20, 2022, where training focused on the sustainer.

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, shakes hands with Hungarian Defence Forces soldiers during an infantry brigade presentation and showcase event June 9, 2022, in Tata, Hungary.

Aug. 17, 2022

Leaders of Ohio Guard Visit Hungary for Capstone Event

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Ohio National Guard members visit annually to highlight the partnership between Ohio and Hungary, which began in 1993. This year’s capstone event focused on topics including cyber operations, COVID-19 response, weapons capabilities, tactical vehicles and recruiting, with meetings between key members from the ONG and Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF).

Aug. 10, 2022

Austin's Visit to Latvia Underscores U.S. Commitment

Riga, Latvia — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told Latvian leaders the United States will enhance its presence in the NATO front-line states and assured them that includes their country.

Aug. 10, 2022

Abrams Tank Training Academy opens in Poland

POZNAN, Poland — A vision to strengthen this country's defense capacity launches to its next phase with the official opening of the Abrams Tank Training Academy in the Republic of Poland, Aug. 10. This collaboration between the United States and Poland follows negotiations that resulted in a purchase agreement for 250 of America's M1A2 System Enhancement Program version 3 (SEPv3) Abrams Main Battle Tanks (MBT). The M1A2 SEPv3 is the latest and most advanced model of the MBTs. Poland states the tanks will enhance their security and increase their capability to operate within the NATO Alliance.

Cabo Verde's "Team Delta" participated in the NHNG Combat Marksmanship Match from July 27 - 30, 2022, at Fort Devens, Mass. From left is 1st Sgt. Admir Monteiro, Cpl. Antonio Silva, and 1st Sgts. Aldemiro Dias and Hernani Lopes.

Aug. 5, 2022

Cabo Verdean Soldiers Compete at NHNG Marksmanship Match

FORT DEVENS, Mass. — A team of four marksmen from the Cabo Verdean special forces competed in the annual NHNG TAG Match at Fort Devens, Mass. from July 27 to 30. It was the first of many exchanges planned between New Hampshire and it's newest state partner, the Republic of Cabo Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa, according to Capt. Mario Rey, director of NHNG's State Partnership Program.

U.S. Army Capt. Max Woodfin, commander, Company D, 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Military Intelligence) speaks at a return ceremony for his unit March 10, 2022, in Denver, Colorado. While deployed, the unit joined with NATO's peace support operation Kosovo Force. KFOR has been operating in the Southeast European country since 1999, with intent to support broader international efforts to build peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Remington Henderson).

Aug. 2, 2022

Military Intelligence Soldiers, Kosovo Police Force develop female leadership to further Kosovo Force success

DENVER, Colo. — Colorado Army National Guard Soldiers from Company D, 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Military Intelligence) returned stateside March 10, 2022.

Uruguayan and American Soldiers do counter-IED exercise

Aug. 2, 2022

Counter-IED Training with the Uruguayan Army

HARTFORD, Conn. — Smiles, laughter, and jokes permeated throughout a room in the Hartford Armory as seven members of the 192nd Engineer Battalion met with state partnership program director, Maj. Nick Raphael, to complete an after-action report for their recent trip to Uruguay.

“I have the opportunity to work with really smart people at DEVCOM. Hopefully, I will learn new things and gain new perspective and ideas. I like the ‘glass half full’ mentality that American people have, and I feel I should embrace it,” - Michael Schuch, Ph.D.

July 27, 2022

DEVCOM hosts German scientist for ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory — Three foreign exchange scientists recently selected to work within the DEVCOM enterprise as part of the Army’s Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program.

Participants for MREP 2022 work together on team building exercises at Camp Nymindegab July 7, 2022. MREP is a program that houses almost 130 participants from 6 different nations, to increase interoperability, strengthen partnerships, and to enhance professional development between allies.

July 26, 2022

Military Reserve Exchange Program National Guard & Reserve Growing Partnerships to Last a Lifetime

CAMP NYMINDEGAB, Denmark — The Military Reserve Exchange Program (MREP) was hosted at Camp Nymindegab, Denmark July 1-8, 2022 by the Danish Home Guard (DHG). Over 50 reservists and National Guard members from 18 different states and Puerto Rico, combined with around 90 military members from four countries including, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania took part in this joint, multinational program. The MREP, selects United States National Guard and Reserve members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The selected participants are part of a one-for-one exchange of personnel from a NATO allied country.

From left, Pennsylvania Air National Guard Lt. Col. Frank Shoaf, Chief Master Sgt. Jason Everetts, Capt. Matthew Reed, Master Sgt. Frankie Perez, Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Mowry and Capt. Benjamin Kaufman with the 171st Air Refueling Wing’s 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, during the Defender Europe 22 exercise, June 2022. The Pennsylvania Guard and Lithuania are partners under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

July 22, 2022

Pennsylvania Guard, SPP Partner Lithuania Join NATO Exercise

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron attended the multinational joint Defender Europe 22 exercise with NATO and other military partners.

July 21, 2022

U.S., Netherlands working together for coalition interoperability on the battlefield

GILZE-RIJEN AIRFORCE BASE, Netherlands — Senior leaders from the United States Army and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence signed a Future Rotorcraft Concept Analysis Project Arrangement today, pledging to work together to ensure interoperability between the two nations’ future rotorcraft aviation forces.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Lawrence Schloegl, assistant adjutant general-Army, Latvian Ambassador Māris Selga, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, and Defense Attaché Maj. Gen. Andis Dilāns (left to right) tour the 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment aircraft facility, Grand Ledge Armory, Michigan, July 1, 2022. Kariņš visited with Michigan National Guard leadership as his visit took on added significance as the U.S. and Latvia celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations throughout 2022. For nearly 30 years, the Michigan National Guard has had a rich cooperation with the National Armed Forces of Latvia under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. David Eichaker)

July 18, 2022

Michigan National Guard welcomes Prime Minister to recognize 100 years of U.S.-Latvia diplomatic relations

LANSING, Mich. — “Michigan is proud of its close relationship with Latvia, which has shown its value not only though numerous combined deployments, training exercises and initiatives under the SPP, but also in the rich Latvian-American community that calls Michigan home,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “We are honored to welcome Prime Minister Kariņš to Michigan, especially as we celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries.”

Members of the Nebraska Air National Guard and Rwanda Defence Force pose for a group picture March 20, 2022, during the Justified Accord exercise at Gako Military Academy, Rwanda. The Nebraska Guard and Rwanda are partners under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

July 6, 2022

Nebraska Guard Assists SPP Partner Rwanda in Joint Mission

LINCOLN AIR FORCE BASE, Neb — Airmen from the 155th Air Refueling Wing’s medical group participated in Justified Accord 2022, a joint medical engineer mission with the Rwanda Defence Force at Gako Military Academy, Rwanda.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda visits the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary Armory on July 2, 2022 in Philadelphia. President Nauseda met with Maj. Gen. Mark J. Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, and leaders of the Pennsylvania Departments of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and Community and Economic Development (DCED) to discuss economic opportunities and their 29-year state partnership program.

July 6, 2022

Pa. adjutant general meets with president of SPP partner Lithuania

PHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda during Nauseda's visit to Philadelphia July 2.

Seven crew chiefs with the Minnesota National Guard’s Bravo Company, 834th Aviation Support Battalion, were sent to Croatia to advise and assist the Croatian Armed Forces as they integrated UH-60M Black Hawks into their Air Force. Minnesota and Croatia have been partners under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program since 1996.

June 29, 2022

Minnesota National Guard, Croatia Collaborate via State Partnership Program

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — This mission was part of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. The program pairs states with nations worldwide, including the Minnesota National Guard and Croatian Armed Forces, beginning 26 years ago

Soldiers stand in a formation and receive their foreign airborne wings.

June 27, 2022

Utah and Moroccan Paratroopers Exchange Jump Wings

AGADIR, Morocco — Paratroopers from the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah National Guard, and the Royal Moroccan Army received foreign jump wings during a wing exchange ceremony at Agadir, Morocco, June 27, 2022.

Army South hosts PANAMAX 2022 Planning in Crisis exercise

June 14, 2022

Army South hosts PANAMAX 2022 Planning in Crisis exercise

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — U.S. Army South hosted component planners and military representatives from seven Caribbean and South American countries for PANAMAX 2022 Planning in Crisis training in San Antonio from June 6-10, 2022.

VNG Soldiers conduct exchanges in Tajikistan

June 14, 2022

VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare, tactical planning exchanges in Tajikistan

ROMIT, Tajikistan — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Bowling Green-based 91st Cyber Brigade conducted a mountain warfare exchange and an advanced tactical planning exchange with soldiers from the Republic of Tajikistan May 16 - 20, 2022, in Romit, Tajikistan. 

From left, Maj. Gen. David Mikolaities, New Hampshire adjutant general, presents Cabo Verde Minister of Defense Janine Lélis with an intricately carved map of the state at the end of a State Partnership Program workshop June 10, 2022, in Concord, New Hampshire. Lélis and delegates from the African archipelagic country visited June 8-10 to discuss NHNG capabilities and opportunities to work together.

June 13, 2022

New Hampshire National Guard, Cabo Verde Build Emerging Partnership

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire National Guard hosted a delegation from the Republic of Cabo Verde for a State Partnership Program workshop June 8-10.

Participants in the eighth annual Bersama Warrior exercise pose for a photo during the opening ceremony in Kuantan, Malaysia, June 6, 2022. Bersama Warrior is an annual joint and bilateral exercise sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces.

June 6, 2022

Washington National Guard, Malaysia Conduct Joint Exercise

KUANTAN, Malaysia — The eighth annual Bersama Warrior exercise began June 6 with a ceremony presided over by First Admiral Baharudin bin Wan Md Nor, Malaysian Armed Forces Joint Force Headquarters deputy assistant chief of staff for the J3, and Brig. Gen. Bryan Grenon, commander of the Land Component Command for the Joint Force Headquarters, Washington National Guard.