“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.

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

Several soldiers pose in front of the tailgate of a c-130 Aircraft

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.

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.

Pennsylvania Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler and Command Sgt. Maj. Jon Worley, senior enlisted leader, Pennsylvania National Guard, visit with senior Lithuanian leaders and Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers deployed to Lithuania in support of Defender Europe 22 and NATO exercise Flaming Thunder on May 19, 2022.

June 4, 2022

Pa. National Guard senior leaders visit Lithuania

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — Pennsylvania National Guard senior leaders visited Lithuania recently to meet with Lithuanian military leaders and visit Pennsylvania National Guard members who were deployed there.

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

A rocket launches into the air.

June 1, 2022

Advanced Rocket Launcher System Heads to Ukraine

PENTAGON — As part of the latest presidential drawdown package for Ukraine — this one worth $700 million dollars — the Defense Department has included four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS. 

Brig. Gen. Gerald A. Donohue, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, met with Major General Essa bin Ali Al Kubaisi, commander of the Qatar Emiri corps of engineers to discuss future construction plans for the Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar Feb 24, 2021. Over the past four years, many Program Management Office staff members have worked shoulder to shoulder with the Qatar Emiri Corps of Engineers to complete Phase 1(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David Phaff)

June 1, 2022

Qatar Partners with USACE Transatlantic Division to Strengthen the Qatar Emiri Corps of Engineers

WINCHESTER, Va. — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been Building Strong across the Middle East for nearly 70 years, partnering with allied nations to build civil and defense infrastructure in a dynamic, challenging construction environment. These partnerships and the projects they execute are not just necessary for our success - but also for the success of our nation’s global priorities and our allied mission partners’ continued security and stability. The State of Qatar, one of our allied partners, is moving full speed ahead to make that a reality with its own Corps of Engineers nested within the Qatari Land Forces.

Kentucky National Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 75th Troop Command poses for a group photo at the end of Operation Tradewinds 2022 at Price Barracks, Belize on May 20, 2022. HHD, 75th Troop Command provided brigade level support to Tradewinds 22, a multinational exercise designed to expand the Caribbean region’s capability to mitigate, plan for and respond to crises; increase regional training capacity and interoperability; develop new and refine existing standard operating procedures (SOPs); enhance ability to defend exclusive economic zones (EEZ); and promote human rights and adherence to shared international norms and values; fully integrate women into defense, peace and security missions; and increase maritime domain awareness to deter illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing activities (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Dickson).

May 31, 2022

Kentucky National Guard participates in Tradewinds 22

PRICE BARRACKS, Belize — Kentucky National Guard Soldiers traveled out of the country to support Operation Tradewinds 22 in Belize between Aug. 29 through May 25, 2022. Almost 40 Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 75th Troop Command, including six support Soldiers from other units, set up brigade level operations to support 1,802 servicemembers from 22 partner nations at the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) at Price Barracks.

U.S. Donates Vehicles to Support Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Peacekeeping Efforts

May 24, 2022

U.S. Donates Vehicles to Support Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Peacekeeping Efforts

U.S. Embassy in the Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu — Yesterday the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Tony Greubel donated four vehicles worth approximately FJ$487,000 (US $224,000) to the Government of Fiji in a handover ceremony at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Queen Elizabeth Barracks. Chargé d’affaires Greubel said, “The United States is proud of the partnership that we have built with

U.S. Donates Vehicles to Support Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Peacekeeping Efforts

May 24, 2022

U.S. Donates Vehicles to Support Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Peacekeeping Efforts

FIJI — Yesterday the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Tony Greubel donated four vehicles worth approximately FJ$487,000 (US $224,000) to the Government of Fiji in a handover ceremony at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Queen Elizabeth Barracks.

A man standing at a lectern answers question. A sign behind him indicates that he is at the Pentagon.

May 23, 2022

U.S. Defense Leaders Pleased by Progress of Ukraine Contact Group

WASHINGTON — In just over a month, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group has proven its worth with donations and deliveries to the embattled country, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said.

206th Digital Liaison Detachment ensures Combined Command Post Training success with U.S.-South Korea command

May 20, 2022

206th Digital Liaison Detachment ensures training with U.S.-South Korea command a success

CAMP YONGIN, South Korea — The 206th Digital Liaison Detachment (DLD) expanded the liaison capacity of the 2501st DLD in Combined Command Post Training (CCPT) 22.1, an U.S.–Republic of Korea (ROK) exercise from 10-29 April.

Army Reserve unit sets sights on Defender Europe 2214112006

May 10, 2022

Army Reserve unit sets sights on Defender Europe 22

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with the 793rd Movement Control Team will put their training to the test during DEFENDER-Europe 22’s Army Pre-Positioned Stocks-2 (APS-2) draw in Tapa, Estonia, beginning April 20.

U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, perform a live-fire training lane, Ethan Allen Firing Range, Jericho, Vermont, July 16, 2020. The live-fire range was conducted as part of their annual training.

May 10, 2022

Vermont Guard to support training exercise Swift Response 22

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — More than 120 Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers will participate in training exercise Swift Response 22 in North Macedonia from May 11 to 17. Exercise Swift Response is an annual U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercise that takes place this year in Eastern Europe, the Arctic High North, Baltics, and Balkans from May 2-24.

One service member in a prone position aims a rifle. Another service member is kneeling on the ground.

May 9, 2022

More Chances to Participate in Exercises Will Enhance National Guard, Chief Says

WASHINGTON — The National Guard's State Partnership Program doesn't just benefit the partner nations involved — it benefits greatly the U.S. servicemen and women who participate as well, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said.