An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 4, 2019

West Va. and State Partnership Peru review program success

By Capt. Holli Nelson West Virginia National Guard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - West Virginia National Guard leaders and members of the State Partnership Program – Peru met Feb. 19, in Washington, D.C., with delegates of the Embassy of Peru to review progress on the partnership and to look ahead at future opportunities.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Walker, assistant adjutant general-Air, Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Cantrell, WVNG Senior Enlisted Leader, and SPP – Peru team members Capt. Joshua Goforth and Sgt. 1st Class Hector Guillén, joined the Peruvian Chargé d’Affaires, Minister Agustín De Madalengoitia, and other Defense Attachés and diplomats for the meeting at the residence of the Embassy of Peru.

The meeting between the two partner nation’s military and diplomatic leaders allowed bidding farewell to Madalengoitia, who is concluding his tour in Washington, D.C., and will be returning to Peru for a new assignment. Also, it provided a chance for the new military leaders of the WVNG to meet face-to-face with Peruvian Defense Attachés to bolster the longstanding partnership between West Virginia and Peru and to discuss future bilateral training and engagement opportunities.

Walker noted that it was a real honor to be hosted at the Peruvian Embassy residence and to meet with defense leaders from Peru. “Our Peruvian partnership has created an enduring and important working relationship that I hope continues to flourish,” said Walker. “It enables unique training opportunities for all involved parties and underscores the value of how our nations can work together to further diplomatic goals of mutual interest in the region.”

In 1996 the West Virginia - Peru partnership was established. In just over 20 years, the two nations have partnered together for more than 130 interactions providing insight into regional challenges facing the Andean Ridge, especially in the areas of counter-insurgency, anti-terrorism, emergency preparedness, risk mitigation, disaster response, and recovery.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...