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 21, 2023

Pennsylvania Air Guard Hosts Lithuanian Air Force Leaders

By Jonathan Dahms, 111th Attack Wing

HORSHAM, Pa. - Strategic planning, capability sharing and future cooperation were the focus when leaders of the Lithuanian Air Force and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 111th Attack Wing met at Biddle Air National Guard Base March 20.

Col. Antanas Matutis, Lithuanian Air Force commander,  and his senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Alvydas Tamošiūnas, visited as part of a broader Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program tour hosted by Brig. Gen. Michael Regan, PAANG commander. Pennsylvania and Lithuania have been partners under the SPP program since 1993. 

The NG SPP began 30 years ago after the breakup of the Soviet Union to help countries emerging from behind the Iron Curtain. It now pairs 100 nations with National Guards from every state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories to increase regional security and advance U.S. interests.

The group will be visiting the Joint Force Headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, and other PAANG wings, including the 193rd Special Operations Wing in Harrisburg and the 171st Air Refueling Wing in Coraopolis.

The goal is to strengthen cooperation with Lithuania as part of the NG SPP, strategically plan military-to-military engagements, and tour Pennsylvania National Guard facilities and training areas.

The Lithuanian delegation was greeted at Biddle ANG Base by Col. Deane E. Thomey, commander, 111th ATKW; and his senior enlisted leader, Chief Master Sgt. Scott P. Woods. Also attending: Chief Master Sgt. Paul G. Frisco, state command chief of the PAANG; Capt. Nathaniel Curtis, State Partnership Program coordinator, Pennsylvania Army National Guard; and Master Sgt. Margarita Wiles from the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, who served as interpreter.

“The purpose of this visit is to further the security cooperation efforts between Lithuania and Pennsylvania in support of the State Partnership Program,” said Thomey. “We’re always looking for opportunities to train and work together to improve our interoperability, learn from each other and share our experiences and expertise.”

Members of the Lithuanian delegation received briefings from 111th ATKW leaders, toured key facilities at Biddle ANG Base and were treated to a local delicacy for lunch – the world-renowned Philadelphia cheesesteak.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Airmen with the 193rd Special Operations Wing conducted routine Launch the Fleet training from Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania, September 11, 2025, timed to commemorate Patriot Day. This formation flight of six MC-130J Commando II aircraft followed a route visible to many in Central Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Air Guard Commemorates Patriot Day With Formation Training Flight
By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig, | Sept. 12, 2025
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 193rd Special Operations Wing conducted routine Launch the Fleet training Sept. 11, timed to commemorate Patriot Day.This formation flight of six MC-130J Commando II...

Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen with the 258th Combat Airfield Operations Squadron out of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pose for a photo at Palau’s International Airport with the local liaison officer during Exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025 Aug.13, 2025. The 258th Combat Airfield Operations Squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 171st Air Refueling Wing and serves an essential mission by providing air traffic control services both stateside and overseas to civil, military, and even presidential aircraft while also maintaining mobile readiness to deploy. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo)
Pennsylvania Air Guard Guides Skies at Exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025
By Shawn Monk, | Sept. 3, 2025
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Four Airmen from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 258th Combat Airfield Operations Squadron, based in Johnstown, recently traveled thousands of miles to take control of the skies over the Pacific island...

A Security Forces Airman responds to a simulated attack during a field training exercise at Ft. William Henry Harrison, Helena, Mont., June 2, 2025. Security Forces Squadrons from Arizona and Pennsylvania traveled to the Fort for a week of field training. The field instruction consisted of patrol movements, base security, key leader engagements, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives detection response, and simulated attacks from opposition forces.
Arizona and Pennsylvania Air Guards Train Together in Montana
By Tech. Sgt. Jayson Burns, | June 6, 2025
FORT WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, Mont. – More than 100 security forces Airmen from Arizona and Pennsylvania conducted five days of joint annual training in Helena, Montana, June 2-6.The defenders from the 161st Air Refueling...