Maryland hosts visit by Bosnia, Herzegovina delegation

Story courtesy of the Maryland National Guard

Zeljko Komsic, chairman of the tri-presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, toured the Annapolis Armory and observed the capabilities of the 32nd Civil Support Team. The visit was part of the Maryland National Guard's State Partnership Program. The program was originally designed as outreach by the United States to new democracies in Eastern and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union. (Photo courtesy of the Maryland National Guard)
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ANNAPOLIS, Md., (10/16/09) - The Maryland National Guard recently hosted an official delegation representing Bosnia-Herzegovina, which toured the E. Leslie Medford Armory here and observed training conducted by the 32nd Civil Support Team.

Zeljko Komsic, chairman of the tri-presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Honorable Mitar Kujudzic, ambassador for Bosnia and Herzegovina, met with Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland, toured the facility before watching a demonstration of the 32nd Civil Support Team’s capabilities and equipment.

The visit was arranged as part of the Maryland National Guard’s State Partnership Program.
The SPP was created at the end of the Cold War as a few partnerships with former Eastern bloc nations. Today, 53 U.S. states and territories partner with 61 countries around the world. The National Guard Bureau program supports military-to-military contacts and activities between the United States and those nations partnering with us in the SPP program. 

All SPP activities are required to support the combatant commanders’ theater campaign plans, as well as the individual mission plans of the U.S. ambassador in each country within which SPP operates. The program demonstrates U.S. commitment to reassure allies, friends and coalition partners.

“I’m pleased that the Maryland National Guard is playing such an important role in sharing our ideas and capabilities with Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly now as they seek NATO membership,” said Adkins. “This is what the State Partnership is all about - learning from each other leading to leading to a mutually beneficial partnership for the long-term.”

The state of Maryland and Maryland’s National Guard have enjoyed an official partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2003. During that time, Maryland has worked closely with Bosnia and Herzegovina in fostering democracy, encouraging a market-based economy and promoting regional cooperation and stability.

The Maryland National Guard’s relationship with the Bosnian military has encompassed a wide range of military-to-military, military-to-civilian and civilian–to-civilian efforts with an emphasis on civil and military cooperation within the context of civilian control of a professional military.

The Maryland Military Department also has shared best practices related to state emergency management processes, procedures and techniques through the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.

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