Soldiers train in Iraq.

Aug. 10, 2021

Defense Official Outlines U.S. Security Assistance, Cooperation in Middle East

WASHINGTON — A Defense Department official testified about U.S. security assistance in the Middle East before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, emphasizing five vital points.

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade stand for a group photo at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Aug. 9, 2021

3rd SFAB supports CENTCOM objectives

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — The U.S. Army has maintained a consistent presence across the Central Command region for decades; while that presence has evolved through the years, the focus on strengthening readiness, partnerships, and interoperability remains constant. 

Cpl. Jacob East, right, a signal support system specialist radio operator with the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, positions himself alongside the Hungarian Defence Forces during bilateral training in June 2021 at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La. The HDF contingent joined the 37th IBCT, along with units from several other National Guard states, to train on large-scale combat operations on the battlefield.

Aug. 6, 2021

37th IBCT, Hungarian Defence Forces train together

FORT POLK, La. — Soldiers of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team partnered with Hungarian Defence Forces during their monthlong training at the Joint Readiness Training Center.

A woman dressed in a military uniform stands surrounded by service members, some sitting at wooden picnic tables and some standing.

Aug. 3, 2021

Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson: U.S. must remain 'Partner of Choice' in Western Hemisphere

WASHINGTON — The nominee for the commander post at U.S. Southern Command told Congress she would build upon her predecessor's efforts and work diligently with U.S. partners to ensure SOUTHCOM fully accounts for the defense challenges and opportunities in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Dr. Irene MacAllister, a research chemist with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, receives the Czech Republic’s University of Defence Medal.

Aug. 3, 2021

MacAllister honored for vital research in Czech Republic

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Dr. Irene MacAllister, a research chemist with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), has been awarded the Czech Republic’s University of Defence Medal honoring her “for the immense contribution she has made to the research effort in protection against high-risk biological agents.” She received the award upon recent completion of her assignment with the U.S. Army Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program (ESEP) to the Czech Republic.

Col. Schaefer joins Maj. Gen. Kilian at conference table.

Aug. 2, 2021

DLIELC welcomes alumnus Hungarian Air Chief

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — Historically, the Defense Language Institute English Language Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland hosts about 100 international visits every year. These visits welcome high-ranking individuals from all over the world, all in support of the Department of Defense’s mission and security cooperation goals.

A CH-47F Chinook helicopter is unloaded from a Dover Air Force Base C-5M Super Galaxy at Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville, Australia, July 7, 2021. The C-5 transported two CH-47F Chinook helicopters to RAAF Base Townsville as a part of the Department of Defense’s Foreign Military Sales program. The U.S. and Australia maintain a robust relationship underpinned by shared democratic values, common interests and cultural bonds. The strong alliance is an anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Faith Schaefer)

Aug. 2, 2021

Air Force Delivers Helicopters to Australia

Townsville, Australia — As part of the Defense Department's Foreign Military Sales program, an aircrew from Dover Air Force Base transported two CH-47F Chinook helicopters to Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville, Australia, further reinforcing the alliance between the two countries.

Soldiers with the Michigan National Guard train members of the Armed Forces of Liberia on weapons systems using the engagement skills trainer at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Grayling, Michigan, July 27, 2021. Through the State Partnership Program, Michigan has teamed with Latvia and Liberia.

July 30, 2021

Michigan National Guard, Liberia strengthen SPP partnership

GRAYLING, Mich. — The Michigan National Guard is solidifying its relationship with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Liberia under the State Partnership Program during the Northern Strike 21 exercise.

Members of the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia participate in a turnover ceremony for the Sainshand kindergarten on Sept. 18, 2020, in the Dornogovi Province of Mongolia.

July 29, 2021

Engineers help to improve educational opportunities in Mongolia

Mongolia — In a country experiencing a shortage of critical educational facilities, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District is overseeing the design and construction of kindergartens to better the lives of children in Mongolia. Over the last three years, the district has partnered with the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to improve educational opportunities for more than 300 students throughout Mongolia.

U.S. Army Maj. Daniel Sekula, a Georgia Army National Guardsman serving as a bilateral affairs officer with the United States Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, observes trainees during the Swift Water Rescue Training in Borjomi, Georgia, July 28, 2021.

July 29, 2021

Georgia Guard partnership brings swift-water rescue to country of Georgia

BORJOMI, Republic of Georgia — The Marietta, Ga. Fire Department traveled to the country of Georgia, located in the Black Sea Region, to partner and train Georgian Emergency Management Services in Swift-Water Rescue techniques at Borjomi, Georgia, from July 26 to August 6.

July 28, 2021

US and Australian Defense Departments to partner on precision fires

WASHINGTON — Representatives from the United States and Australia have agreed to partner on the development of precision fires capabilities through a bilateral agreement that will foster interoperability and modernization for both militaries.

Members of the 9th Aviation Battalion from the Royal Thai Army Aviation Center traveled to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., on July 20, 2021.

July 27, 2021

Aviation exchange marks return of in-person SPP engagement

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. — The Washington National Guard welcomed six members of the Royal Thai Army Aviation Division back to Washington State to conduct a week-long aviation subject matter exchange at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Fairchild Air Force Base. The focus of the exchange was aviation operations, maintenance and support to domestic response operations.

Brig. Gen. William L. Thigpen (left), U.S. Army South commanding general, meets Gral. Eduardo Enrique Zapateiro Altamiranda (right), Colombian National Army commanding general, July 21 in Bogotá, Colombia.

July 22, 2021

Commanding generals from U.S. Army South, Colombian Army meet in Bogotá

BOGOTA, Colombia — Brig. Gen. William L. Thigpen, U.S. Army South commanding general, met with Gral. Eduardo Enrique Zapateiro Altamiranda, Colombian National Army commanding general, July 21 in Bogotá for the first time as Thigpen recently took command of U.S. Army South in late June.

Two members of Senegal's National Fire Brigade examine a Vermont National Guard fire response vehicle July 12, 2021, at Camp Johnson, Vermont National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Colchester. Delegates from Senegal’s fire brigade visited Vermont as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

July 22, 2021

Vermont hosts SPP partner Senegal's national fire brigade

COLCHESTER, Vt. — Delegates from Senegal's National Fire Brigade, Brigade Nationale des Sapeurs-Pompiers, visited Vermont July 11-21 as part of the National Guard's State Partnership Program.

U.S. Army Central Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Hester and staff Sgts. Maj. remain attentive as someone speaks during the USARCENT Land Forces NCO Symposium, July 14, 2021 in the Lucky Conference Room at USARCENT headquarters on Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. This annual symposium was held to solidify relationships and increase the capacity of professionalism of our partner nations NCO Corps. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Keon Horton)

July 16, 2021

USARCENT Hosts First Virtual Land Forces NCO Symposium

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — Partner nations’ sergeants major from the U.S. Central Command theater joined U.S. Army Central’s senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Hester, and sergeants major from the Army Service Component Command's staff for the first virtual USARCENT Land Forces NCO Symposium, hosted July 14 at Patton Hall.

Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei meets with U.S. Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller.

July 15, 2021

SOUTHCOM Commander Visits Guatemala, Meets with President, Military Leaders

Guatemala — U.S. Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visited Guatemala July 13-14 where he met with President Alejandro Giammattei and military leaders to discuss security cooperation.

Gen. Glen D. VanHerck (right), commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, meets with the Mexican Secretariats of National Defense and Navy in Mexico City, July 7, 2021.

July 9, 2021

VanHerck meets with Mexican military secretaries, discusses security cooperation and areas of mutual interest

MEXICO CITY — Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, met with the Mexican Secretariats of National Defense and Navy in Mexico City, July 6-8, 2021.

U.S. Delivers Php48.5 Million in Weapons and Munitions to AFP

July 8, 2021

U.S. Delivers Php48.5 Million in Weapons and Munitions to AFP

MANILA, Philippines — On July 4, officials from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group – Philippines (JUSMAG-P) delivered Php48.5 million ($1 million) worth of new weapons and munitions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Clark Air Base.

Brig. Gen. William Crane, the Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, and Staff Brigadier Khalid Alkhayareen, Director of the International Forces Affairs Directory for Qatar's International Military Cooperation Authority, sign an expression of cooperation document between the State of West Virginia and the State of Qatar June 21, 2021, in Doha, Qatar. The expression of cooperation document signifies the official formalization of the partnership between West Virginia and Qatar as a part of the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Holli Nelson)

July 1, 2021

West Virginia, Qatar formalize military partnership

DOHA, Qatar — Brig. Gen. William Crane, the Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, and Staff Brigadier Khalid Al-Khayareen, Director of the International Forces Affairs Directory for Qatar’s International Military Cooperation Authority, officially signed an Expression of Cooperation June 21, 2021, between the State of West Virginia and the State of Qatar in Doha, Qatar.

New York Army National Guard Maj. Del Gustave, assigned to the 24th Civil Support Team, briefs Israeli Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, commander of the Israeli Defense Force Home Front Command, center, and Lt. Col. Hal Rekah, the Home Front Command liaison officer for the National Guard Bureau, during a capability brief of the CST for Home Front Command at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 28, 2021.

July 1, 2021

NYNG strengthens relationship with Israel's Home Front Command

LATHAM, New York — Major General Ori Gordin, the head of Israel's Home Front Command, shared lessons learned from the COIVID-19 pandemic and Israel's 11-day fight with Hamas during a day-long visit with New York National Guard leaders on June 28.

A man and a woman flanked by uniformed service members stand at the entrance of the Pentagon.

June 30, 2021

U.S., German Leaders Talk at Pentagon, Visit Carrier in Norfolk

PENTAGON — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to the Pentagon and discussed the many ways U.S. and German service members work together to preserve peace and international order.

TAM Program Manager Pete DeMattei just prior to his presentations on the Western Basing Network during the June 8-9 Industry Day Event in Saudi Arabia.

June 28, 2021

Developing lasting industry-government partnerships through collaboration, networking

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — USACE Middle East District sponsored a two-day Industry Day event in Saudi Arabia on June 8 and 9.

Timor-Leste Agree on Joint Rehabilitation of Baucau Airfield

June 28, 2021

U.S. Embassy and the Government of Timor-Leste Agree on Joint Rehabilitation of Baucau Airfield

DILI, U.S. Embassy in Timor Leste — U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste Kevin Blackstone and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Territory Jose Maria dos Reis signed two important Memoranda of Understanding on June 28, 2021 at the Office of the Ministry of Planning and Territory (MPO), launching the joint rehabilitation of Baucau Airfield, and intent to engage in good faith discussions regarding potential U.S. Government support for the civil aviation sector in Timor-Leste.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Timothy E. Gowen, adjutant general for Maryland, meets with Lt. Gen. Senad Mašović, Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina chief of joint staff, June 23, 2021, for the first time in BiH. The Maryland National Guard and AFBiH have been partners for about 18 years under the State Partnership Program.

June 28, 2021

MDNG TAG renews in-person SPP ties to Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina — After 16 months of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maryland National Guard can rejuvenate its nearly 18-year, enduring partnership with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina under the State Partnership Program.

June 25, 2021

NCOs Lead the Way

FORT BENNING, GA. — Senior Enlisted Advisors from five nations successfully complete WHINSEC’s Senior Enlisted Advisor course.