FRANKFORT, Ky. - North met south recently when the Kentucky National Guard hosted members of the Ecuadoran military during a series of best practice exchanges focusing on vehicle maintenance and inventory control processes.
The Ecuadoran troops visited the combined surface maintenance shop in Frankfort, the field maintenance shops in Richmond and Louisville as well as the Kentucky National Guard maneuver area training equipment site at Fort Knox., Aug. 22 to 26.
"It has been a very productive visit," said Capt. Telmo Aguilar, Ecuador Army maintenance officer.
Each facility offered unique tours through their buildings, and maintenance shops and giving the Ecuadoran Soldiers a chance to observe the daily operations and share experiences with their Kentucky Guard counterparts.
While at the facilities the visitors also received briefings and took part in maintenance demonstrations with the Guardsmen and visited a static display of equipment set up at the MATES facility.
The Kentucky National Guard has been conducting collaborative training events like these for more than 20 years through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program.
The State Partnership Program provides interchanges with input from multiple sources, including the U.S. ambassador to Ecuador, U.S. Southern Command and the adjutant general of Kentucky.
The program provides a symbiotic benefit to all parties involved. The focus of this exchange allowed subject matter experts from the Kentucky National Guard and the Ecuadoran Army to work together in order to implement a robust tactical vehicle maintenance program.