New York teams up with South African communicators

Story courtesy of the New York National Guard

South African military ambassadors meet with members from the National Guard Bureau and the New York National Guard May 19 in Arlington, Va., as part of the State Partnership Program. South Africa and New York have been partners since August 2003. The National Guard initiative aligns states with countries around the world for the purpose of fostering mutual interests and establishing long-term relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith) (Released)
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Albany, N.Y., (6/2/09) - Senior public affairs professionals from the South African Air Force joined their counterparts from the New York National Guard here and in Washington, D.C., recently to discuss opportunities for bi-lateral public affairs training. 

Members of the visiting delegation said creating more opportunities for professional military training in the area of public affairs is of great interest to the South Africa military leadership. 

The discussions took place as part of the State Partnership Program (SPP) relationship between New York and South Africa which began in 2003.

During the week-long visit, the delegation met with officials responsible for international training at the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Md., and observed public affairs operations at the National Guard Bureau and the Pentagon. 

While in D.C., they were given an introduction to the U.S. government by members of the New York congressional delegation.

Prior to returning to South Africa, the delegation met with their public and government affairs counterparts in Albany and were hosted by senior officials in the Office of New York Gov. David A. Paterson.

“This is the second exchange we have done with public affairs practitioners from the South African Defense Forces,” said Lt. Col. Robert E. Bullock, a public affairs officer with the New York Air National Guard. “Each time we get together, we learn as much from them as they do from us. 

“A week prior to their trip over, members of the delegation were coordinating their Presidential inauguration and are now returning to continue planning the public affairs response to next year’s World Cup of soccer,” he said.

The National Guard State Partnership Program was established in 1993 in response to the radically changed political-military situation following the collapse of Communism and the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Now expanded to 61 countries world-wide, the State Partnership Program remains one of the National Guard’s most valuable and visible ways to build and maintain bonds of friendship around the globe.

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