Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 D.C. Guard member ensures continuity with Jamaican forces By  Spc. Kevin Valentine
                715th Public Affairs Detachment
 KINGSTON, Jamaica — Connectors - we all know them. They are the folks who are in every high-level meeting, featured somewhere in every important photo, and in the recent call history of all of the movers and shakers. When it comes to U.S. and Jamaica relations, Maj. Jason Hanslovan, bilateral affairs officer, District of Columbia National Guard, is one such person. The District of Columbia National Guard and Jamaica Defence Force have been state partners for 19 years. Recently, key leaders of both forces have been in transition. Maj. Gen. William J. Walker, commanding general, D.C. National Guard, was appointed as acting commander in January 2017 and confirmed by presidential order in March of 2018. Brig. Gen. Aaron R. Dean II, adjutant general, D.C. National Guard, was appointed by presidential order in March of 2018. Maj. Gen. Rocky R. Meade, chief of defence staff and head of Jamaica Defence Force, was appointed in December of 2016. During his tenure, Hanslovan has provided a continuum between the newly appointed key leaders. "Hanslovan provides the continuity that we need," Dean said during his first official visit to Jamaica as adjutant general of the D.C. Guard. "He was invaluable during summer of 2017." That summer the D.C. Guard's medical detachment was given a mission to provide medical and dental support services to local hospitals and clinics in Jamaica. While the detachment had the resources to take on the mission, navigating the proper processes and protocols to make the mission happen, was challenging. "Hanslovan has the ability to connect with SOUTHCOM, Department of State, and other organizations to get resources," Dean said. "Within 90 days, he put us in contact with the right people to make the mission a success." The medical mission was executed successfully and further solidified D.C. Guard and JDF relations. A strong relationship with Jamaica is exactly what the U.S. needs, according to Eric Khant, chargé d'affaires, interim U.S. ambassador to Jamaica, U.S. Embassy Kingston. "The Caribbean is our third border and Jamaica is at the center of the Caribbean," Khant said. "Jamaica's security and prosperity are linked to our own. The D.C. National Guard, as a state partner, has a key role in helping to build the capacity of JDF, securing Jamaica's borders, and dismantling transnational criminal activity that impacts the U.S." The bilateral affairs officer has the job of making sure we, the U.S., can understand the real needs of JDF in order to help them accomplish their mission, according to Khant. With both the D.C. Guard and JDF, having newly appointed commanders and other key leaders, maintaining the dialogue to understand the needs of partners can be challenging. "Jason (Hanslovan) keeps us on the same page in knowing what sort of training or equipment is required to make sure that JDF can meet their goals," Khant said. The JDF has outlined some ambitious goals, according to Maj. Gen. Rocky Meade, chief of defence staff and head of Jamaica Defence Force. "I am growing JDF," Meade said. "We're developing the numbers, battalions and brigades, and domains such as cyber, maritime patrol and awareness. Having relations with the D.C. Guard is critical to implementing these plans." Meade relies upon Hanslovan to make certain that the vision for JDF is communicated effectively with the D.C. Guard and the U.S. "Jason has been key on different levels," Meade said. "Because of the frequency of engagements, close rapport and depth of engagements, a direct representative between the two is a must. Jason is critical in his role and is doing his job very well." Hanslovan's tour as the D.C. Guard's bilateral affairs officer will end this summer. He has been a source of continuity and expertise during his tenure and Khant and Meade both agree that if his replacement is of the same caliber, relations will only get better.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 7 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 15 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 15 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil