An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
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 | May 22, 2024

Virginia Guard, Tajik Partners Conduct Mountain Warfare Exchange

By Mike Vrabel, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs

ROMIT, Tajikistan - Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, conducted a mountain warfare exchange with Tajik military forces Apr. 29 to May 3 in Romit. 

The exchange supported the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003. 

Tajikistan agencies participating in the exchange included the Ministry of Defense’s Peacekeeping Battalion and members of the Tajik National Guard. 

During the training, three engineers assigned to the 276th shared lessons learned and best practices of mountain warfare operations, including knot-tying, rappelling, and rope bridge implementation. 

The exchange culminated with a timed test. Participants rappelled down a 100-meter cliff face and back and were evaluated on their knowledge of different knots. 

The Virginia Army National Guard team included Sgt. 1st Class Frank Barmes, Sgt. 1st Class Richard Test and Sgt. Chris McClelland.

“Together, the three engineers brought decades worth of military and civilian experience and insight into the exchange,” said Master Sgt. Daniel Timberlake, the VNG J3 joint operations noncommissioned officer in charge.

The mountain warfare exchange was the third in the past three years. 

In July, the VNG and Tajikistan celebrated the 20th anniversary of their partnership in the SPP. The relationship has benefitted all parties, from sharing subject matter expertise throughout 200 military-to-military engagements that help counter terrorism, deter violent extremism, expand emergency response capabilities, develop professionalism among leaders and staffs and promote shared values in national sovereignty and security.

The VNG also formalized its partnership with Finland in 2024.  

The SPP program began in 1993 and has grown to include the National Guard in every state, three territories and the District of Columbia, and more than 100 nations.

 

 

Related Articles
Brig. Gen. Todd H. Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard director of the Joint Staff, conducted key leader engagements with senior leaders from the Republic of Tajikistan April 29 to May 3, 2024, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Virginia Guard, Tajikistan Conduct Key Leader Exchange
By Mike Vrabel, | May 28, 2024
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Brig. Gen. Todd H. Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard director of the Joint Staff, conducted key leader engagements with senior leaders from the Republic of Tajikistan April 29 to May 3. The...

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Barfoot-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, conduct an infantry tactics exchange with soldiers from the Republic of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Defense Peacekeeping Battalion March 3-8, 2024, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The Virginia Guard and Tajikistan are partners through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.
Virginia Guard Conducts Infantry Tactics Exchange in Tajikistan
By Mike Vrabel, | March 29, 2024
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan - Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, conducted an infantry tactics exchange with soldiers from the Republic of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Defense...

Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Wing, conduct an engineer exchange with Republic of Tajikistan military and law enforcement personnel Jan. 22-26, 2024, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Virginia Airmen Conduct Engineer Exchange in Tajikistan
By Virginia National Guard Public Affairs | Feb. 14, 2024
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Wing, conducted an engineer exchange with Republic of Tajikistan...