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
 Army Guard director awarded Croatian Duke of Trpimir medal By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy,
                National Guard Bureau
 ARLINGTON, Va. – The director of the Army National Guard was awarded the Duke of Trpimir medal by Croatian President Zoran Milanović during a ceremony Sept. 27 in Split, Croatia, honoring the 25-year partnership between the Minnesota National Guard and Croatia. "I'm proud of the long-standing partnership and am deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of all the Soldiers and Airmen who have built this great relationship," said Army Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, the director of the Army Guard. The partnership is part of the Department of Defense's State Partnership Program, which pairs National Guard elements with partner nations worldwide. The SPP currently consists of 85 partnerships with 92 nations. 
Since the partnership was established in 1996, Minnesota Guard Soldiers and Airmen have trained and worked with members of the Croatian military. "Accept this decoration, this major Croatian order, as a token of appreciation and respect for everything you have done in building our relations," said Milanović during the ceremony. 
 
Jensen previously served as the adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard and held command positions in numerous Minnesota Army National Guard units, including the 34th Infantry Division. "This year marks the 25th anniversary of our relations and, indeed, it means a lot to me to receive such an award on that anniversary," said Jensen. One of the culminating moments of the partnering came in 2010 when members of the Croatian military deployed to Afghanistan with the Minnesota Army Guard. "That right there is such a significant measure of operational success for this partnership program," said Army Maj. Gen. Michael Wickman, commander of the 34th Infantry Division. "It shows interoperability in a combat situation." That also worked to underline a key element of the partnership – training and working together. "They do have some very professional soldiers," said Minnesota Army Guard Maj. Lukas Wright, who served on an operational mentoring and liaison team alongside Croatian soldiers during the 2010 deployment. "There's always something you can learn from another nation, another soldier that you can grow with and bring back to your unit." Jensen added that he's looking forward to the next 25 years of the partnership. Milanović agreed. "From the Croatian perspective, this cooperation is much more than a formality," he said. "I see how much it means to our people, and we want it to stay that way. I am confident it will continue." Back in Minnesota, that holds true as well. "You can't do things unilaterally," said Wickman. "You really have to have great relationships and partners to deal with these complex issues that span the globe." It goes back to simple teamwork, Wickman added. "We really won't be successful without our partners," he said.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 Details about the State Partnership Program
  News about the State Partnership Program
 Army Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen
 Minnesota National Guard
 State Partnership Program
 Croatia
 Duke of Trpimir medal
 
 Washington Guard, Royal Thai Army Conduct Expert Exchange
 By Joseph Siemandel,
  NY National Guard Strengthens Bonds with Allies in Morocco
 By Avery Schneider,
  Western Air Defense Sector Wraps Up Enduring Partners Exercise
 By Kimberly Burke,
  More
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • 1 hour ago
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • 2 hours ago
 National Guard, US Army North, FEMA Train for Hurricane Response Guard News • 3 hours ago
 Cal Air Guard F-15 Pilots Train with Marine Corps F-35 Pilots Guard News • 4 hours ago
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 2 days ago
 2024 (193)  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