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    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        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
 South Dakota National Guard renovates school with partner Suriname By South Dakota National Guard
 PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Soldiers from the South Dakota Army National Guard and the Suriname Defense Force partnered together to renovate portions of the O.S. Majosteeg 3 School in Paramaribo, Aug. 13-24. The renovation project, part of the Suriname and South Dakota State Partnership Program, provided an annual training opportunity for SDARNG engineer units and further developed partnerships with the SDF, while simultaneously assisting with a community need. "The South Dakota National Guard has been the backbone for U.S. Department of Defense engagement in Suriname for more than 11 years," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Paolo Carcavallo, U.S. Navy deputy chief, Security Cooperation Office Suriname. "This second school renovation they've done shoulder-to-shoulder with Suriname's military engineers and is just another manifestation of the Working together was a team of 10 Soldiers from the 155th Engineer Company, one from the 211th Engineer Company, and about a dozen engineers with the Suriname Defense Force. The service members focused on restroom improvements and the addition of a teacher's office. The service members spent nine days on the renovations, which included panel construction, electrical, plumbing, tiling and painting. "You get to learn how the Suriname engineers do things compared to how we do things," said Sgt. Zach Heesch, 155th Engineer Company. "I got the opportunity to learn how to do stuff I've never done before - like tiling." Since 2006, Soldiers from both countries have conducted over 100 subject matter exchanges through the program, which have benefitted men and women from both organizations to gain knowledge and experience in both military operations and civilian culture. "It feels great to be able to help so the kids have a better facility to use when they get back to school," said Heesch, who hopes he can return to Suriname someday. "You get to experience a whole new culture. It's an awesome experience." "This will mean so much for the school and the students," said Mrs. Gail Burleson, school director. "When they return from summer break, they will get to come back to all new bathrooms. On behalf of myself, the school, and the students, we greatly thank you." Throughout any particular year, about 20-30 service members from either South Dakota or from Suriname, travel to each other's respective countries and engage in about 10 subject matter exchanges covering a wide spectrum of topics. "Engagements like these school renovations where soldiers from both countries work together to improve the quality of life for children really drive home what the partnership is about," Paolo said.  "We look forward to continue working with the Ministry of Defense and other government organizations to find more opportunities like this where we can directly impact for the better the lives of our friends in Suriname." Funding for the project was provided by U.S. Southern Command and all materials and supplies were purchased in Suriname. For the past 11 years, the SDNG and SDF have successfully partnered together to established a security cooperation relationship in coordination with USSOUTHCOM under the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. The partnership has flourished during the past decade, becoming a model for mutual security cooperation.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Washington Guard, Royal Thai Army Conduct Expert Exchange
 By Joseph Siemandel,
  Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park
 By Lt. Col. Darrin Haas,
  Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match
 By Master Sgt. Charles Johnston,
  More
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 6 hours ago
 Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match Guard News • yesterday
 West Virginia Air National Guard Wing Conducts ’Super Drill’ Guard News • yesterday
 Idaho Medical Airmen Train in Field to Boost Readiness Guard News • yesterday
 Alaska Air National Guard rescues 6 plane crash victims Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (189)  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