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 22, 2012

New Hampshire National Guard continues partnership with El Salvador

By Courtesy of the New Hampshire National Guard

MORAZAN, El Salvador - Members from the New Hampshire Army National Guard participated in a subject matter expert exchange on mountain operations tactics and procedures here, March 18 to 24.

Five soldiers from Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) demonstrated basic fixed ropes installation and mountain casualty evacuation procedures with twenty members of El Salvador's newly formed Mountain Commando Unit.

The Mountain Commando Unit is expanding its mission capabilities to counter illicit drug trafficking and transnational organized crime activities.

"I've been very impressed with the Salvadoran soldiers. They are very willing to learn, they are asking good questions, and they are engaged," said Army Capt. Jose Mendez, U.S. military group bilateral affairs officer.

This visit is the foundation for an ongoing, professional relationship between the two units, with five exchanges scheduled for the coming year.

This critical military-to-military engagement was coordinated through the annual bilateral staff talks between U.S. Army South and the El Salvadoran Army.

The U.S. Army Staff Talks Program serves as a bilateral forum for strategic-level discussions between respective armies. The program seeks to promote bilateral efforts in order to develop professional partnerships and assist partner nation armies in building capacity.

The New Hampshire National Guard was hand-picked to conduct the exchange because of its 12-year relationship with El Salvador through the National Guard State Partnership Program.

"One of the unique attributes of the Guard is our ability to develop trusting relationships with our partners," said Air Force Lt. Col. Diane Roberts, New Hampshire National Guard international affairs officer. "Valuable relationships cultivated over time between soldiers that will someday be leaders of their respective Armies."

The New Hampshire - El Salvador partnership is a mature one and has flourished beyond military engagements to include civic, educational and business opportunities. Other exchanges scheduled for this year will focus on Air Traffic Control, Hazardous Materiel procedures, Urban Search and Rescue techniques and Emergency Management Command and Control.

 

 

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...