In The News

U.S. Army crew with the 1-182nd Field Artillery Regiment Michigan National Guard, fire a rocket with the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System into the Baltic Sea at Skede, Latvia, May 13, 2023. The Soldiers participated in a live fire event in support of the Defender 23 exercise to build readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO allies and partners.

May 31, 2023

Michigan Guard Brings HIMARS Capability to Swift Response 23

CAMP ĀDAŽI, Latvia — For most of the year, National Guard members have civilian occupations — some are firefighters, police officers, teachers, mechanics and electricians. But when military duty calls, they drop everything to put on their uniforms and support U.S. national security interests.

Apache helicopter firing on targets at Spring Storm 23 in Tapa, Estonia, May 25, 2023. The Maryland National Guard participated in the two-week exercise with Estonia, its longtime partner through the State Partnership Program.

May 30, 2023

Maryland National Guard, Estonia Partner in Overseas Exercise

TAPA, Estonia — Maryland Army National Guard members participated in the Spring Storm 23 exercise in Tapa, Estonia, May 13-27.

A soldier from Lithuania's Uhlan Battalion guides a Vilkas infantry fighting vehicle during a visit by Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, May 4, 2023, in Alytus, Lithuania.

May 16, 2023

Pennsylvania Guard, Lithuania Conduct Partnership Exchange

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers conducted engagements in Lithuania with their counterparts from the Lithuanian Armed Forces.Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, participated in a reconnaissance and security operations class, while Soldiers from the Fort Indiantown Gap Training Center helped the Lithuanians develop a new training area.

New York National Guard 1st Sgt. Amanda Eldred, assigned to the 466 Medical Company, Area Support, reviews a medical bag with Brazilian Army Soldiers during a planning conference for Operation Parana in Foz do Iguazu, Brazil, May 3, 2023. The joint training event in August involves international participation to strengthen partnerships and improve interoperability in the event of a natural disaster in South America.

May 12, 2023

New York Army Guard Leaders Plan Exercise with Brazil

FOZ DO IGUAZU, Brazil — Two New York Army National Guard leaders visited State Partnership Program partner Brazil May 1-5 to lay the groundwork for Guard participation in a Brazilian disaster response exercise in August.

Lithuania air force Capt. Matas Leckas and Capt. Valius Urbonas became the first Lithuanian pilots to graduate from the UH-60M Aviator Qualification Course at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence during a ceremony at Fort Novosel, Alabama, April 4, 2023.

April 17, 2023

Lithuanian Partners Complete U.S. Army Flight Course

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — Lithuania air force Capt. Matas Leckas and Capt. Valius Urbonas became the first Lithuanian pilots to graduate from the UH-60M Aviator Qualification Course at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Novosel, Alabama, April 4.

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Thaddeus Harrington, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Maryland National Guard, instructs Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) service members on camera functionality during a public affairs workshop March 27, 2023, at the Army Hall in downtown Sarajevo. Subject matter experts from the MDNG demonstrated photo, video, writing and social media techniques.

April 3, 2023

Maryland Guard Conducts Public Affairs Workshop for SPP Partner

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina — A joint team from the Maryland National Guard facilitated a public affairs workshop for Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) service members March 27-31 at the Army Hall in downtown Sarajevo.

Oregon Army National Guardsmen of 3-116 Cavalry unit, Charlie Company, and Bangladesh Army counterparts carry a local role player on a litter during cordon and search operations training as part of Exercise Tiger Lightning 2023 near Dhaka, Bangladesh March 9, 2023. The training prepares Bangladesh military members for peacekeeping missions to Africa.

March 27, 2023

Oregon Guard, Bangladesh Army Train During Tiger Lightning

GAZIPUR, Bangladesh — Members of the Oregon National Guard, the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and Civil Affairs and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams trained with their Bangladesh counterparts during Exercise Tiger Lightning 2023. “Tiger Lighting is a bilateral exercise where we focus on partnership and

Sgt. Thomas Marvin of HHC, 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, supervises tactical combat casualty care training scenarios with members of the Albanian Armed Forces at Land Forces Headquarters, Zall-Herr, Tirana, Albania, March 9, 2023, as part of the State Partnership Program. The New Jersey Guard sent more than 40 service members to collaborate with their subject-matter counterparts in the AAF.

March 14, 2023

New Jersey National Guard Medical Team Trains with Albania

ZALL-HERR, TIRANA, Albania — New Jersey Air and Army National Guard medical branches trained with Albanian Armed Forces Light Infantry Battle Group members March 5-10 as part of the State Partnership Program. The New Jersey Guard sent more than 40 service members to collaborate with their subject matter counterparts in the AAF.The medical group shared best practices on

Maj. Gen. Kerry Muehlenbeck, commander of the Arizona National Guard, seated at left, signs an official partnership decree with Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al-Raisi, chief of staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces, during a ceremony in Muscat, Oman, solidifying Oman as a partner with the state of Arizona under the State Partnership Program. The SPP links a state’s National Guard with armed forces of a partner country in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.

March 13, 2023

Arizona Guard, Oman Partner in State Partnership Program

MUSCAT, Oman — The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, Arizona National Guard, and the Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Defense signed a State Partnership Program agreement March 13, becoming partners in the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau program.

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, talks with Norwegian troops during a visit to Norway for the signing of a Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program security cooperation agreement between Norway and the Minnesota National Guard, Brekstad, Orland, Norway, Feb. 16, 2023. This image was acquired using a cellular device.

Feb. 21, 2023

Norway Adds Top-tier Military Experience to State Partnership Program

TRONDHEIM, Norway — Celebrating a half-century of training together last week, Norway and the Minnesota National Guard strengthened ties by formally pairing in the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program.

New Jersey Army National Guard Sgt. Thomas Kwiatkowski of 1st Detachment, 3rd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, collaborates with Albanian Armed Forces forward observers on fundamentals of operations, at Land Forces Headquarters, Zall-Herr, Tirana, Albania, Feb. 6, 2023.

Feb. 17, 2023

New Jersey Guard Assists State Partner Albania in NCO Development

TIRANA, Albania — The New Jersey National Guard and Albanian Armed Forces resumed military-to-military training at Land Forces Headquarters Feb. 5-9.

Army Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard, showcases a traditional wood plate presented from Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov during a reception at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Washington Dec. 12, 2022. The Guard and Uzbekistan celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their partnership under the Defense Department National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

Dec. 21, 2022

Mississippi, Republic of Uzbekistan Celebrate 10-Year Partnership

WASHINGTON — The Mississippi National Guard and the Republic of Uzbekistan celebrated the 10th anniversary of joining forces under the State Partnership Program during a reception at the Uzbekistan Embassy Dec. 12. Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, adjutant general, and other senior leaders from the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard attended to commemorate the

Senior Airman Tabari Matthews, 189th dental technician, assists Canadian Army Capt. Cleve Kim, dentist, in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2022, during Continuing Promise 2022. Arkansas Air National Guard members worked alongside U.S. and foreign military forces, government officials and civilian personnel to provide medical care, improve interoperability, and develop enduring relationships.

Oct. 31, 2022

Arkansas Air Guardsmen Provide Medical Care in Guatemala

PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala — Arkansas Air National Guard members helped provide medical care in Guatemala alongside U.S. and foreign military, government and civilian personnel during the Continuing Promise 2022 mission Oct. 26-31.

U.S. and Azerbaijan military and civilian officials participate in a disaster response tabletop exercise Sept. 20-22, 2022, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The exercise included first responders from Azerbaijan and the Oklahoma National Guard, who are partners under the State Partnership Program.

Sept. 28, 2022

Oklahoma Guard, Azerbaijan Participate in Disaster Response Exercise

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Subject matter experts from the Oklahoma National Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers traveled to Baku for an emergency response workshop and exercise Sept. 20-22.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Salvadoran Defense Minister René Merino, left, and New Hampshire Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities discuss the New Hampshire National Guard-El Salvador partnership under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program May 25, 2022, in San Salvador, El Salvador.

June 6, 2022

New Hampshire National Guard, El Salvador Build on SPP Relationship

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — After two years of sporadic correspondence, it only took a few minutes of face time for New Hampshire Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities and Salvadoran Defense Minister René Merino to reaffirm their commitment to the State Partnership Program.

Staff Sgt. Travis Mattoon, Stryker Leaders Course instructor from 1st Battalion, 205th Regional Training Institute, Washington Army National Guard, instructs Royal Thai Army officers on the remote weapons system of a Stryker combat vehicle.

June 2, 2022

Guard, Royal Thai Army take part in Stryker Leaders' Course

YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash — Through 20 years of partnership, the Washington National Guard and the Royal Thai Armed Forces have shared knowledge and best practices on many topics. The latest exchange was the first of its kind for the two nations

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general, Michigan National Guard, left, with Armed Forces of Liberia Maj. Gen. Prince C. Johnson III, AFL’s chief of staff; and Latvian National Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Imants Ziedins, LNAF’s deputy chief of defense, in Monrovia, Liberia, Feb. 9, 2022. The Michigan Guard is partners with Liberia and Latvia under the State Partnership Program.

March 29, 2022

Common goals strengthen MING-Latvia-Liberia relationship

MONROVIA, Liberia — Michigan National Guard blends State Partnership Program relationships with Liberia and Latvia.