An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

National GuardAlways Ready Always There

National Guard

                - 

Search

Search
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

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# Minnesota National Guard, Croatia strengthen 25-year ties

By Anthony Housey,Camp Ripley Training Center

CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. – Six leaders of the Croatian Army visited Camp Ripley and the Regional Training Institute – Maintenance Oct. 25-29 as part of its 25-year partnership with the Minnesota National Guard under the State Partnership Program.

The event, conducted at Camp Ripley and organized by the schoolhouse under the 175th RTI, included the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Advanced Maintenance Course.

“We take our maintenance seriously, and it is a fantastic opportunity for our cadre to evaluate and apply their skills assisting our partners from Croatia,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kevin Jensen of the Minnesota National Guard’s J4 (Logistics).

Since 1996, the Minnesota National Guard and the nation of Croatia have been collaborating through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program (SPP). This program encourages international cooperative relationships. For more than 25 years, many exchanges of service members from Croatia and Minnesota have taken place. The arrival of this team of maintainers is the most recent.

The first part of the detailed MRAP training was tailored to the Croatian’s initial questions and based on their knowledge of the vehicle, its operating ability and maintenance. The team quickly built up steam and was rapidly working with the cadre on various maintenance activities and scenarios.

“The instructors started on MRAP basics and familiarization going over preventative maintenance checks and services as well as scheduled service and assigned equipment,” said OF1 (Lt.) Mateo Mikolic, head of machine and final works section for the Croatian Army.

After the wheeled vehicle instruction, the Croatians studied the M2/M3 Bradley. Training aids and presentations such as the driving and rollover trainer made the already hands-on course more exciting and provided a realistic perspective.

“Everyone was eager to learn the operations of I and II level maintenance and really enjoyed getting deep into the Bradley,” said Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Johnson, chief instructor at the RTS-M. “Typically, this is a six-week course, and it’s a lot to absorb in five days, but with everyone working together, the Croatians picked it up very quickly.”

Troubleshooting and a class on special tools wrapped up the instruction portion of the course. The visitors then toured historic Camp Ripley and soaked up some Minnesota culture before returning to Croatia.

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

Minnesota National Guard

State Partnership Program

Croatia