California – Ukraine National Guard Partnership The California – Ukraine National Guard Partnership is one of 22 European partnerships that make - up the U . S . European Command State Partnership Program and one of 65 worldwide partnerships that make - up the National Guard State Partnership Program ( SPP ) . The California - Ukraine SPP is one of the most important and progressive partnerships within European Command . Ukraine ' s size and strategic location make it one of the most influential countries in the region , thus making the SPP a key factor in assisting Ukraine as it develops it budding democracy . Through the SPP , the California National Guard and Ukraine have addressed a broad range of social , economic , military and political issues including border security , base conversion , emergency response , inter - agency cooperation , civil - military relations and security cooperation . With hundreds of events completed since its inception in June 1999 , the SPP has become a sophisticated engagement tool that brings together civilian expertise , multi - level government agencies , NATO , non - government organizations and commercial interests . According to the Office of International Affairs , California Military Department " " The Office of International Affairs manages the State Partnership Program ( SPP ) with Ukraine . The SPP deploys California National Guard teams to Ukraine and brings Ukrainians to the United States for information sharing to assist Armed Forces of Ukraine in re - structuring , modernizing its forces , and strengthening principles of democracy and free market economies . Exchanges include information about the processes underpinning US military structures that result in subordination to civilian control , consensus building , methodologies for achieving objectives , and interagency coordination of civil / military issues . Future missions for International Relations will include partnerships with other countries to bring the same philosophy to these regions of the world as has been done successfully in the Baltics . " " According to the Office of Defense Cooperation in Kiev , " " The California – Ukraine partnership directly supports both the goals of the US Ambassador to Ukraine and Commander , U . S . European Command . As part of the Governor ’ s Cabinet , the Adjutant General of the California National Guard facilitates partnerships throughout the state and local governments in California as well as the private sector . Recently , a tuberculosis clinic in Odessa was renovated with funds provided by this office . " " History . " " The California SPP has been an extremely valuable tool for building lasting and meaningful relations with Ukraine and we look forward to its continued success . The SPP has provided California the opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of our state ' s military around the world . " " - MG William Wade II , former Adjutant General , California National Guard California partnered with Ukraine in 1993 as it emerged from the Cold War , unsure about its relationship with the United States . The program has helped Ukraine develop its own military and civilian capacities for security , emergency management and organization . The foundation of their cooperation has been built upon exercises like PEACE SHIELD and RAPID TRIDENT . California and Ukraine have trained together is these multinational exercises , hosted by Ukraine , for over 15 years . This partnership will transition to SABER GUARDIAN in 2014 and beyond . While not seeking to enter NATO , Ukraine is committed to all NATO deployments and achieving NATO interoperability through development of Rapid Reaction Forces . The EU has been seeking a closer relationship by moving beyond regional cooperation toward gradual economic integration and deepening of political cooperation ; however , a strategic EU trade agreement is currently on hold due to selective prosecutions . Ukraine is currently trimming military forces by 30 % as part of a new Strategic Defense Initiative . In 2012 , a new Minister of Defense and Chief of Defense were appointed . In 2011 , California participated in the single largest Air National Guard exchange in the partnerships history . Members of the California Air National Guard travelled to Mirgorod Air Base , Ukraine to conduct a two - week training exercise called SAFE SKIES 2011 . A squadron of six Fighting Falcon F - 16 ' s from the Air National Guard lead the multinational Air Superiority exercise , which was designed to prepare Ukraine for real world missions it would face during EUROCUP 2012 . California and Ukraine had been planning SAFE SKIES 2011 for over 3 years and its execution helped strengthen bonds between these former enemies of the Cold War . During the exercise , more than 60 air sovereignty mock intercepts took place using Ukrainian Su - 27s and MiG - 29s , and American and Polish F - 16s . The exercise laid the foundation for a SAFE and SECURE EUROCUP Tournament as well as future training opportunities with Ukraine . In 2012 , Californian and Ukrainian Soldiers participated in six joint engagements , including international exchanges in cyber defense , CBRNE ( Chemical , Biological , Radiological , Nuclear , Explosive ) Response , maintenance , and NCO / Officer roles and relationships . California also supported the multinational exercise " Rapid Trident " hosted in Ukraine with participation from 14 partner nations . Since 2000 , Californian and Ukrainian Soldiers have participated in over 330 Military - to - Military events . The California National Guard has made humanitarian assistance one of the consistent facets of every deployment . Through the many years of our partnership with Ukraine , the California National Guard has provided the following support to children and families across Ukraine ; California National Guard members have provided school and art supplies and sports equipment to schools in Mirgorod and Starichy . California National Guard members have volunteered hundreds of hours at orphanages in the Kiev and Lviv regions . California National Guard members have helped with school renovations and painting in the Lviv region . Partnership focus . The focus for 2013 and beyond includes , NCO Roles and Organizational Maintenance , English Language Training , Strategic Airlift Interoperability , Human Resources & Personnel Management , EURO Atlantic Interoperability , Humanitarian Assistance , Development of the European Union ( EU ) Battle Group , and the TRILATERAL Brigade ( from Lithuania / Poland / Ukraine ) .