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 | April 25, 2023

Guard Names State Partnership Program Partnerships of the Year

By Air Force Lt. Col. Allison Stephens, National Guard Bureau Public Affairs

DENVER – Following a busy year with engagements in Europe, South America and stateside, the Pennsylvania-Lithuania and New York-Brazil partnerships were named the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program partnerships of the year for 2022.

The winners were announced by National Guard officials last week at the annual SPP Conference, attended by Guard leaders, bilateral affairs officers and foreign partner delegates April 17-21.

The award criteria included key leader and subject matter expert engagements, the program’s capacity to include “whole of government” events, academic exchanges and the inclusion of Women, Peace and Security principles.

Lithuania and Pennsylvania, one of the original SPP partnerships established in 1993, have conducted over 800 security cooperation engagements in the past 30 years. While the Brazil-New York pairing is more recent, established in 2019, it has included more than 20 events a year with space and cyber priority capabilities.

Leaders from both countries and Guard leadership from Pennsylvania and New York accepted the award.

The State Partnership Program Director of the Year honor was awarded to Army Lt. Col. Christopher Markesino of the Oregon National Guard, paired with Vietnam and Bangladesh. The SPPD plans, manages and coordinates all approved SPP activities, including logistics, resources and budget while working with U.S. government agencies and embassy country teams.

The inaugural Bilateral Affairs Officer of the Year award was given to Army Capt. Omar Rosario of the Puerto Rico Guard for his work with the Dominican Republic. 

Each partnership includes a BAO —a Guardsman from that partnership’s state or territory who works in the partner nation and reports directly to the security cooperation office. Bilateral affairs officers ensure in-country events are coordinated, managed and executed alongside their partner nation counterparts.

Army Maj. Gen. William Zana, director of Strategic Plans, Policy and International Affairs for the National Guard Bureau, thanked the awardees for their “tremendous efforts and work over the past year.”

The State Partnership Program began 30 years ago with 13 partners and has grown to 100 partner nations. The Department of Defense program is administered by the National Guard Bureau and guided by the State Department’s foreign policy goals. It is executed by the adjutants general in support of the combatant commanders, the U.S. Chief of Mission security cooperation objectives and the DOD’s strategic objectives.
 

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army Capt. Mitchell Hagen teaches Ecuadorian servicemembers of the 9th Special Forces Brigade how to approximate the height of trees as part of a class on landing zone designation in Latacunga, Ecuador, Aug. 21, 2025. This final day of the State Partnership Program's air assault exchange consisted of practical, hands-on training in the field. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Caleb Sooter)
Kentucky Guard, Ecuador Conduct Air Assault Training Exchange
By Sgt. Caleb Sooter, | Sept. 12, 2025
LATACUNGA, Ecuador - Members of the Kentucky National Guard took part in a four-day air assault training exchange with the Ecuadorian 9th Special Forces Brigade as part of the Department of War National Guard Bureau’s State...

From left, Col. Pablo Soriano, chief of the Salvadoran Air Force, presents NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities with a gift and plaque at the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show on Sept. 6, 2025, at Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington, N.H. A modest ceremony was held on the flight line to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the State Partnership Program between El Salvador and the New Hampshire National Guard.
New Hampshire Guard, El Salvador Celebrate 25th Anniversary of State Partnership Program
By Master Sgt. Charles Johnston, | Sept. 8, 2025
NEWINGTON, N.H. - The New Hampshire National Guard and El Salvador celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, or SPP, Sept. 6 at Pease Air National Guard...

Swedish Army Lt. Col. Fredrik Mansson, the chief of operations for the Swedish 1st Division Headquarters, speaks with an officer of the New York National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division during the division’s Warfighter exercise at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 3, 2025. Mansson and other Swedish leaders were visiting the exercise to learn from the New York Guardsmen. From Sept. 16-23, 2025, New York National Guard operations experts will be in Sweden helping Mansson and their other Swedish counterparts conduct their first-ever division-level command post exercise.
New York Guard to Help Sweden With Division-Level Command Post Exercise
By Eric Durr, | Sept. 5, 2025
LATHAM, New York - Six New York Army National Guard officers and an Air Guard master sergeant are heading to Sweden to help the Swedish Army’s 1st Division conduct its first-ever division staff command post exercise.Before...