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
 Indiana National Guard celebrates 20 years of partnering with Slovak Republic By Capt. Catalina Carrasco
                Indiana National Guard
 INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, and the Indiana National Guard hosted senior leaders of Slovak Republic to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Partnership for Peace Program on May 17. Slovak Republic ambassador to the United States Peter Kmec and the chief of Slovak Defense, Lt. Gen. Milan Maxim, headed the senior leaders' delegation. The Hoosier-Slovak partnership is part of a National Guard Bureau initiative that links states and territories with military members of other countries around the world for the purpose of supporting the security cooperation objectives of the geographic Combatant Commands. The Indiana National Guard and the Slovak armed forces began a relationship in 1994. The two military organizations have shared more than 200 joint events over the course of the past two decades. In that time the Slovak Republic became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. "We became partners, we trained together, we worked together," said Umbarger of the celebration, "We've come to know each other well as allies and this is just a special day." The results and achievements of the partnership include the transition of the Slovak armed forces from a conscript service to an all volunteer force, an enhanced role of women in the Slovak military, the creation of a noncommissioned officer corps and the cultural exchanges between members of the Indiana Guard and the Slovak forces. "We want to celebrate 20 years of cooperation and results," Maxim said. In 2011, the first of four joint Operational Mentor Liaison Team rotations deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. 1st. Class Michael Bacon deployed to Afghanistan in August 2012 as part of Operational Mentor Liaison Team as a mentor advisor for an Afghan military unit. "This was one of the best and enjoyable deployments that I've taken part of," Bacon said. "We succeeded in achieving our mission by training hand in hand, while adapting to each other's cultures, with the same purpose in mind." As the two militaries strive for unity of purpose, the Slovak leaders hope for the same in their communities. Ambassador Kmec visited with the Indianapolis mayor and leaders at Indiana University - Purdue University at Indianapolis to discuss possible business ventures between the two countries. "As our two militaries have created a very strong foundation of bilateral ties, we're trying to build on this very intense cooperation also in the civilian sector," said Kmec, "we're looking for ways of cooperation in the area of innovation and trade." While in Indiana, the Slovak delegation attended different commemorative events around the state, which included a visit and tour of Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, the 181st Intelligence wing and the Clabber Girl Museum in Terre Haute and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Other members of the Slovak delegation included Maj. Gen. Martin Babiak, Slovak defense military and air attaché, Zuzana Babiakova, and Brig. Gen. Ondřej Novosad, land forces commander. The culminating event celebrating the landmark anniversary was a military ceremony held at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 17. Gov. Mike Pence, State Sen. Tom Wyss and Maj. Gen. Timothy Kadavy, the special assistant to the National Guard Bureau vice chief of staff attended the ceremony. A formation of more than 200 Soldiers and Airmen represented all units belonging to the Indiana National Guard. The two-hour ceremony featured formal honors and military traditions, starting with cannons firing 19 volleys in honor of the governor and music performed by the 38th Infantry Division band. Static displays represented some of the equipment and fighting capabilities of the Indiana Guard. "As we reflect on this milestone of achievement over this last 20 years of cooperation," said Col. Todd Townsend, Indiana National Guard vice chief of staff, "we look forward to an enduring partnership that continues to expand our relationship and knowledge sharing."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 Indiana-Slovak Republic celebrate partnership
 
 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 • 3 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 11 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