US-Europe World Affairs

The New York National Guard has established a State Partnership Program(SPP) with the Sweden. The official agreement was signed in a ceremony in New York City’s Freedom Tower on July 12 this year. This partnership marks a significant achievement in strengthening the bilateral military cooperation between the United States and Sweden. 

Prior to this partnership, in December 2023, the United States and Sweden signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) to strengthen the multilateral security and defense cooperation between the two countries. 

 “Allies, friends and partners are stronger together than they are individually — especially against those who want to destroy freedom and independence.”  expressed  Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields, the Adjutant General of New York during the official ceremony July 12, 2024

“This is a big moment for us, and we are honored to be here, ……      the partnership  will not only enhance operational abilities, it will also strengthen the bonds of friendship and a new understanding between our forces and our countries.”  elaborated Minister of Defence of Sweden Pal Jonson during the official ceremony July 12, 2024

The New York National Guard has been actively engaged in international partnerships through its State Partnership Program (SPP) and other global collaborations.  It has a State Partnership Program with South Africa since 2003 and with Brazil since 2019. Additionally, it has a bilateral security cooperation agreement with the Israeli Defense Forces since 2019 and a joint military training and exchanges in Greenland with Denmark since 2023.

The State Partnership Program presents innumerable benefits to both U.S and its partner regions and nations, including:

• Enhancing security and defense cooperation: The program helps to strengthen the security and defense for the U.S and its partner nations and promotes regional stability by joint military training, cultural exchanges, and building military capabilities and collaborations.  
• Humanitarian assistance: The program provides humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts during crisis and in the time of peace.
• Economic development: The program facilitates  economic development by providing financial, medical, and educational assistance to the partner nations.

With over 100 partner-countries in the State Partnership Program (SPP) the U.S  National Guard has one of the most extensive cooperation and partnerships of the U.S armed forces with the entire world. 

The State Partnership Program (SPP) engages not only in military capacity building and modernization to support its host nations but also facilitates wide range of economic and social development programs. The SPP simultaneously supports NATO members and partner nations by various programs, training and exercises.

Minnesota National Guard and Croatia have been partners through ‘SPP’  since 1996 with many ongoing active projects like the recent aviation training from 2021.  

“The Croatian and Minnesota aviation teams have spent about 160 hours of familiarization on technical inspections, flight crew tasks, maintenance shop management, standard operating procedures, and aircrew training program development.” announced by the National Guard

  With so much to share and build upon, on February 15, 2023 after five decades of close defense and security cooperation, Minnesota National Guard and Norway singed the State Partnership Program in an official ceremony in Trondheim, Norway. 

But this was not the beginning, in fact the close partnership between Minnesota and Norway dates back to over the past half century. Minnesota and Norway enjoyed 50 years of military partnership in the wide ranging NOREX program.

“Being able to execute this mission and strengthen bonds between our two countries was a very special experience,”………“We started the exercise off as partners and allies but left it as something more — true friends.”   highlighted in the 49th troops exchange Minnesota National Guard Army Maj. Tracy Mankowski, in charge of the American contingent that traveled to Norway for NOREX 22.  April 19, 2022 ©Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs 

In State Partnership Program Minnesota National Guard and Norway Armed Forces will have the opportunity to strengthen their continued partnership in the far more broader scope.

“The U.S.-Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange, or NOREX, was already the world’s longest-running military exchange partnership,” 

“Today signals an even deeper relationship, built on a mutual commitment to global security, economic cooperation, shared democratic values, and cultural exchange.”   elaborated Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of National Guard Bureau in the signing ceremony of SPP, February 2023 ©National Guard Bureau 

• Additional: Minnesota National Guard in Norway for exchange program, 2012 
• Norway, Minnesota Guard celebrate 49th troop exchange, 2022

Acknowledgments: Image- Gen. Eirik Kristoffersen, chief of Defence of Norway; Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau; and Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard’s adjutant general Feb. 15, 2023 ©Army/National Guard.  Sources: U.S. European Command public affairs, Department of Defense, Minnesota National Guard/ National Guard Bureau/ Master Sgt. Jim Greenhill/Army Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely/ Army Capt. Jodine Eells, Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs. Article by Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt.

Since its establishment in 1993 by the department of Defense, and implemented by the various State’s National Guards, the State Partnerships program (SPP) has been a pivotal contributor to the world’s stability, security and peace. Up to the recent times, the State Partnership Program has reached over 85 partnerships with 92 nations across the globe, creating the most comprehensive U.S military cooperation and partnerships with the world.

Vermont National Guard is among the five States National Guards which have three State Partnership Programs, by having its ‘SPP’ in two continents, three countries. From 1993 with the North Macedonia; from 2008 with the Republic of Senegal. And in October 2021 formed a new State Partnership Programs with the Republic of Austria.   “I am excited to see our new partnership with Austria facilitate cooperation across all aspects of international civil-military affairs and encourage people-to-people ties at the state level. And I of course look forward to welcoming our new friends from Austria to Vermont.” Elaborated Lt. Governor Gray on the Vermont National Guard and the Republic of Austria State Partnership, October 15, 2021 ©Office of the Lieutenant Governor of State of Vermont

“Vermont’s cooperation with North Macedonia, as part of the National Guard’s state partnership program, has been a long, challenging, and very successful journey for over 26 years,” expressed U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont’s adjutant general. March 2020 ©Vermont National Guard 

In additional to the State Partnership Program, the Vermont National Guard has been part of the U.S deployment in support of U.S military and NATO operations including:

• In Romania, to support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan
• In Kosovo, in support of NATO-led KFOR operation
• Bosnia and Herzegovina, in support of NATO-led peacekeeping
• Horn of Africa Djibouti, in support of Combined Joint Task Force

Added to that, around the globe in different continents and regions–the Vermont National Guard has been simultaneously an indispensable contributor to the large number of humanitarian relief operations. Just to name a few in the recent epoch: building bridges, schools and assisting educational and economic development projects, hosting medical and military training and exercises, supporting Afghanistan evacuation, supporting the Department of State temporarily housing for the Afghan evacuees.

 Additional: 

• State Partnership between Austria and Vermont, October 2021
• Vermont Guard delegation visits SPP partner North Macedonia, 2021
• Vermont, North Macedonia officials discuss expanding state partnership, 2021 
• Vermont hosts SPP partner Senegal’s national fire brigade, 2021
• Vermont Army Guard hosts mountain warfare course, Djibouti, 2021
• Vermont National Guard supports Afghanistan evacuation, 2021
• Special Edition, Interview with the U.S KFOR Regional Command East (Series-2), 2021 

Acknowledgments: Image: senior leaders with the Vermont National Guard, Austrian Defence Attache staff and personnel from the Office of the Secretary of Defense outside the Pentagon on Oct. 15, 2021.©Vermont National Guard public affairs/Courtesy photo. Sources: Vermont National Guard, National Guard, and U.S Army. Article by Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt.

Dating back to 1993, the National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP) started with only 3 Baltic States. The initial objective of the program though was to improve the economic conditions and to give support and facilitate democracy in the Eastern European States devastated under communist law, the SPP developed rapidly and enlarged to a wide range of programs from economic aid to military training and joint exercises, civilian projects and humanitarians assistance.

“Our effort today to broaden and deepen our mutual relations [is] an effort that can make an important contribution to our ultimate goal of a united, free, and peaceful Europe.” elaborated  Secretary of Defense Cheney in his speech at NATO Headquarters in Brussels in April 1992.¹

In the course of almost three decades the National Guard (SPP) evolved, has expanded to 82 partnerships in 6 geographic Combatant Commands with 89 nations across the world. In today’s world not only in Europe but also in diverse parts of the world fostering democracy, stability, peace and building security and defense in many ways have been intertwined and connected to the U.S National Guard State Partnership Program. 

The Maryland (MD) National Guard is one of the pioneer States’ National Guard that formed the ‘SPP’ with one of the three Baltic countries, Estonia, from the beginning of the program in 1993.

MD National Guard has two State Partnership Programs (SPP) in Europe:

• With Estonia established in 1993
• With Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) since 2003

Both State Partnership Programs have been expanding through years. Just in 2019 the MD National Guard finalized successfully 84 projects, military exercises, events and training with its two SPP partner countries, announced by the National Guard.

“It’s all about sharing our experiences as the National Guard and building trust and confidence in the citizens of their country” expressed Army Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, Maryland’s adjutant general. ©MD National Guard 2013

“Marylanders are always the consistent face when we need advice or assistance,” said at the seminar. “Whenever we have major challenges, we know that we can always count on our Maryland friends.” explained Estonian Ambassador Vseviov at the MD National Guard leaders assembled at the Dundalk Readiness Center Feb. 2020 ©National Guard/ Maj. Kurt Rauschenberg

At the civilian level, Maryland has additionally 10 partner cities with Estonia (Ref. US Embassy Estonia) 

• More news : NG State Partnership Program 
• MD Guard leaders discuss SPP with defense officials, ambassadors
• Through State Partnership Program, Maryland National Guard works to enhance foreign nations’ interoperability

MD National Guard                Visit Maryland                                        

Acknowledgments: Image of U.S. Army Gen. Paul E. Funk II, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command commanding general, speaks at the graduation of Class 21-01 from the Maneuver Captains Career Course at the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Army Base in Columbus, Ga. ©175th WG – Maryland Air National Guard/Master Sgt. Christopher Schepers. April 2021. ¹ ©The National Guard State Partnership Program Forging and Maintaining Effective Security Cooperation Partnerships for the 21st Century, page 14. By William B. Boehm. Published by National Guard Bureau office of Public Affairs . Article by Editor in Chief  Catherine S. Schmidt, (Copyrighted material)

The National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP) aspires to accentuate on building mutual, and enduring relationships between the National Guard states and territories with the partner countries. Under this program, the United States provides a wide range of assistance and aids to the partner countries, including: 

• Capacity building;
• Military and security training;
• Helping to establish and develop the democratic and accountable civil and governmental institutions and offices;
• Public safety; 
• Assisting in economic development and growth.

The Iowa National Guard and its SPP with Kosovo dates back to 2011. The partnership’s goals are additionally in the fields of military and security cooperation, education, economic and business development in both public and private sectors, agriculture and market. Along with this program, the Iowa National Guard has been serving in  KFOR , the NATO-led Operation for peace and stability in Kosovo since 1999.                                                                         

As the recent fruition of this partnership, in January 2021 the government of Kosovo signed a memorandum to deploy the Kosovo Security Force to missions overseas jointly with the IOWA National Guard.

More news on Iowa National Guard its SPP with Kosovo: 

• Iowa National Guard strengthens bonds with Kosovo through State Partnership Program
• Iowa KFOR Soldiers train with RQ-20 Puma 
• SPP brings Kosovo delegates to Iowa National Guard, U.S Air National Guard
• Iowa Sister States with Kosovo    

Acknowledgment: The historical facts in this article are from U.S National Guard, Iowa National Guard, U.S Army.  By Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief (Copyrighted material)

The State Partnership Program (SPP) initiated originally by Department of Defense in 1991, is a solid joint project with the State Department.

The program was officially established in 1993, is mainly implemented by the National Guard of every U.S States, territories, and the District of Colombia, as currently partnering with 89 nations across the different continents. 

Added to military engagements, the partnership also includes diplomatic, economic development, and capacity building plans.

The National Guard of District of Colombia has been in partnership with Jamaica (Western Hemisphere) since 1999. This partnership incorporates the completion of almost 20 engagements a year on a mutually benefited outcome.

The integral part of these engagements are highlighted as follows: 

• Military training and exercises;
• Military police training and domestic security, counternarcotic;
• Border, port and aviation security;
• Training against violent extremist organizations;
• Detect, mitigation, and respond to natural/human-made disasters;
• Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief;
• Crisis management;
• Medical, dental training, as well as the combat medical events. 

In February 2019 the D.C National Guard expanded its SPP by forming an additional partnership with Burkina Faso (West Africa).  

“The D.C. National Guard is proud to be a part of the multi-faceted relationship between the United States and Burkina Faso,”   

“I am confident that the D.C. National Guard and Burkina Faso will benefit from the extraordinary talents, skills and experiences each will bring to this exciting partnership”, expressed Army Maj. Gen. William J. Walker, D.C. National Guard Commanding General. ©U.S Army February 4 2019 ©D.C National Guard 

More Army news on D.C National Guard State partnership Program with Burkina Faso 

Expanded engagements in Burkina Faso, Promoting Prosperity and Growth

Acknowledgment: the facts in the article are from District of Colombia National Guard, U.S Army. Image ©DoD/ Tech. Sgt. Arthur Mondale Wright. By Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt (Copyrighted material)

Established in 1993, the State Partnership Program (SPP) is the Department of Defense initiative that enables the National Guard of every U.S State to form a long term and mutual partnerships and a military to military engagements with a specific country across the globe. This partnership encompasses all areas of civil and military components, opening the pathway to robust engagements between the U.S Armed Forces and the military of the partner countries.  

Spanning nearly three decades of achievements and connectivity with the world, the SPP has materialized the valuable partnerships with one third of the world countries, building the most enduring international cooperation and bonds with over 89 nations in:

• Africa;
• Asia;
• Central Asia;
• Europe (Eastern, Western, Central, and the Baltic Region); 
• Western Hemisphere.

In the framework of the National Guard State Partnership Program this time we introduce Alabama National Guard. 

From community works like building schools, bridges, hospitals, combing the medical teams of covid-19 response in 2020, to international disaster training and readiness, Alabama National Guard has been strengthening its partnership with Romania since 1993.

Through the SPP, Alabama and Romani have achieved over 200 crucial engagements which benefited both sides of the Atlantic.

Members of the Alabama National Guard welcome a team of specialists from the Romanian Ministry of National Defense at Montgomery Aviation. May 25, 2020

©National Guard /1SG Sandra D. Lucas. 

More news on Defense cooperation: 

European multinational disaster response exercise Blonde Avalanche 2020

Romanian defense chief visits Alabama National Guard

Acknowledgments: The historical facts in this article are from U.S National Guard.  Article by Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt, (Copyrighted material)