State Partnership Program News - The National Guard

Category: News Features

Wash. Guard, Thai Partners Prepare for the Unexpected During Disaster Relief Exchange
October 4, 2024 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Members of the Washington Army National Guard, the Department of Homeland... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Keith Kosik, Washington National Guard State Partnership Program director and Lt. Col. Joel Johnson, Washington bilateral affairs officer, Thailand, deliver an introduction to the Washington Military Department to members of the Royal Thai Army during a humanitarian aid and disaster relief subject matter expert exchange on Camp Murray, Wash., Sept. 24, 2024.

Canadian Armed Forces Awards Kansas ANG Unit With Top Honors
October 3, 2024 — SALINA, Kansas – A Kansas Air National Guard unit received one of Canada’s highest military honors... MORE

From left, Maj. Gen. John Errington, commander of the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre; U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kevin Thomas, commander of the 284th Air Support Operations Squadron; and Chief Warrant Officer Pascal Gagne, Sergeant Major of the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, hold the scroll element of the Canadian Forces Unit Commendation award during a ceremony at Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range, Kansas, Oct. 1, 2024.

Texas Air Guard Supports Flood Response in Czechia
October 2, 2024 — ČÁSLAV AIR BASE, Czechia – The 147th Attack Wing has shifted its focus from the NATO-led Ample... MORE

A Czech emergency services official reviews aerial footage captured by a Texas Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper during flood relief operations at Čáslav Air Base, Czechia, Sept. 17, 2024. The footage is being used to coordinate response efforts and prioritize areas most affected by the flooding.

Maryland Guard, Bosnia and Herzegovina Conduct Cyber Exchange
October 2, 2024 — LAUREL, Md. – The Maryland Army National Guard’s Cyber Protection Team 169 partnered with their... MORE

Members from the Maryland National Guard and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina pose for a group photograph outside the Pvt. Henry Costin Readiness Center in Laurel, Maryland, Sept. 19, 2024. AFBiH members from the Cyber Operations Center spent a week in Maryland conducting a military-to-military exchange with the CPT 169 to enhance their capabilities through a collaborative learning environment.

World War II POW Guardsman Returned Home for Burial
October 2, 2024 — CHICAGO - Illinois Army National Guard Pfc. Harry Jerele of Berkeley, Illinois, is finally home,... MORE

A military and funeral honors team loads the flag-draped coffin containing the remains of Illinois Army National Guard Pfc. Harry Jerele into a hearse at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago Oct. 1, 2024. Jerele was a World War II prisoner of war who died in captivity in 1943.

Michigan Guard, Sierra Leone Establish State Partnership
September 30, 2024 — FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” the adage goes... MORE

The Michigan National Guard and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces come together to mark the beginning of their partnership under the State Partnership Program in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Sept. 12, 2024. This SPP signing ceremony represents a new chapter of mutual support, training, and cooperation.

Hawaii Guard, Filipino Military Conduct Expert Exchange
September 30, 2024 — LAPU-LAPU, CEBU, PHILIPPINES – The Hawaii Army National Guard returned to the coastal city of... MORE

Members of the Hawaii Army National Guard and Philippine Air Force gather together for the Rotary Wing Aviation Maintenance and Standardization Subject Matter Expert Exchange at Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu, Philippines Sept. 16, 2024.

Alaska National Guard, Mongolia Strengthen Partnership
September 27, 2024 — EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing and 176th Wing hosted... MORE

Staff Sgt. Joseph Villa, 168th Wing combat arms Instructor, trades patches with Lt. Enkh-Ariun, Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency Air Search and Rescue Unit Number 111, foreign cooperation senior specialist, after exchanging best practices, skills and stories about their weapons firing exercises Sept. 19, 2024. The Alaska National Guard and Mongolia are partners in the State Partnership Program.

Missouri Guard Airman Aids Ailing Firefighter on Plane
September 26, 2024 — ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - On Sept. 2, while returning from a fire assignment in Oregon, Ben Wagner... MORE

From left, Ben Wagner, a U.S. Forest Service assistant fire management officer, Maj. Alana Taylor, a nurse practitioner with the 139th Medical Group, Missouri Air National Guard, and Jeff Taylor, Alana’s husband and a firefighter paramedic, share breakfast at an airport in Denver Sept. 2, 2024. Wagner was suffering from severe dehydration and exhaustion midflight when the Taylors stepped in to assist.

Maryland Airmen Train with Logistics Counterparts in Estonia
September 25, 2024 — PARNU, Estonia - Eight Maryland Air National Guard Airmen partnered with Estonian Defense League... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Bandy, 175th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance craftsman, conducts pre-inspection procedures during Operation Baltic Rhino Sept. 14, 2024, at the Eametsa military base, Parnu, Estonia. Operation Baltic Rhino provided an opportunity to exchange convoy knowledge and tactics with Estonian counterparts, underscoring the commitment of the Maryland National Guard and its partners to maintaining effective joint logistical operations, interoperability, and readiness on a global scale.