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 | May 31, 2012

Minnesota National Guard Soldiers train with partners in Croatia

By Army Master Sgt. Rich Kem Minnesota National Guard

KNIN, Croatia - Soldiers from the Minnesota Army National Guard's 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment recently teamed up with soldiers from the Croatian armed forces for an annual exercise called GUARDEX 12.

During the exercise, the Minnesota Soldiers integrated with Croatian soldiers and conducted platoon level training.

"Things went very well," said Army Capt. Peter Rampaart, training officer for the 2-136 CAB. "Soldiers from both countries were very motivated."

This marks the 16th year that Minnesota and Croatia have worked together in various programs as part of the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, which pairs up National Guard units with countries worldwide as a way to build greater relationships.

The GUARDEX 12 training took place near Knin, Croatia. The first phase of the training involved familiarization with the Croatian weapon systems and a live fire with assault rifles, pistols, machine guns, RPG-7s and RPG-22s.

The training integrated Croatian and U.S. soldiers together to conduct tasks such as route reconnaissance, cordon and search, reacting to an ambush and room clearing missions.

"We brought it all together and it went pretty well," said Army 1st Lt. Chad Malmberg, platoon leader with Company A, 2-136 CAB.

The training was observed by Army Maj. Gen. Richard Nash, adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard.

"I was greatly impressed by GUARDEX 12," said Nash. "It was well planned and executed by both the Croatian and Minnesota soldiers. It was led flawlessly by the junior officers and enlisted soldiers."

Nash observed the training with Croatian army Maj. Gen. Dragutin Rapinc, land forces commanding general, Croatian army Brig. Gen. Mladen Fuzel, commander of the Croatian motorized brigade and Croatian army Lt. Col. Zoran Lipoš?ak, military cooperation chief with the Croatian Army.

Many were impressed by what they saw.

"All the officers and enlisted soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard have been very professional and well-trained," said Lipoš?ak.

And the training was beneficial to both the Minnesota and Croatian soldiers as well.

"It was very valuable for our Soldiers to take away experience in tactics and the Croatian weapons systems," said Nash. "For the Croatian soldiers, the experience increases their credibility within their region and their homeland."

The exercise not only provided outstanding training, but developed friendships between soldiers in a partnership that began in 1996 and will continue into the future.

 

 

Related Articles
The 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company conducts training exercise, Operation Golden Corridor in Dahlonega, Georgia, August 15, 2025. Throughout the duration of the exercise, Soldiers simulated peer and near-peer electromagnetic warfare scenarios and enhance unit proficiency in spectrum mapping, RF detection, and alternative radar awareness capabilities under austere conditions.
Georgia Guard Company Leads in Electromagnetic Warfare Modernization
By | Aug. 27, 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard’s 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, based in Forest Park, Georgia, is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the Army’s modernization efforts within the...

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match, August 21, 2025, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The history of the Logan Duffy Rifle Match goes back nearly 90 years to the first match, which was held in 1936.
Massachusetts, New York Guard Members Compete in Historic Logan-Duffy Rifle Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton,   | Aug. 27, 2025
DEVENS, Mass. – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy...

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron a real-world rescue operation at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2022. After a Christen A-1 Husky crashed into a marsh, National Guardsmen rappelled and conducted a rescue operation, ensuring the aircraft was safely vacated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)
Alaska Air Guard Rescues Individual With Facial Laceration Near Knik Glacier
By Alejandro Pena, | Aug. 27, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued an individual with a facial laceration Aug. 25, about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage in the vicinity of Knik Glacier.The...