Georgia – Georgia National Guard Partnership The Georgia – Georgia 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 . The Georgia National Guard has maintained a strong State Partnership program with the Republic of Georgia since 1994 . Since then , Georgia has put itself on the path of acceptance into NATO - thanks , in no small part , to the State Partnership Program . The contributions of the Georgian Armed Forces to the War on Terror have been remarkable , with Georgia National Guard Soldiers having fought side - by - side with Georgian Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan . In 2010 alone , the Georgia National Guard helped train over 2 , 000 Georgian Soldiers , which is one of the reasons that the Republic of Georgia continues to serve as the largest non - NATO nation provider of troops to International Security Assistance Force . History . " " The SPP has proven to be an extremely successful and remarkably low cost vehicle for building and maintaining long - term friendly relationships between the U . S . and other countries around the world . It provides an exceptional return on investment to the American taxpayer . " " - Maj . Gen . David Poythress , former Adjutant General , Georgia National Guard When the Georgia - Georgia Partnership began in 1994 , the Republic of Georgia expressed considerable fascination with the command and organizational structure of the U . S . National Guard . With their numerous requests for information , the newly independent nation made it clear that they were interested in copying it . " They were very interested in civilian control of the military , how the military establishment fits within the overall structure of government , and the constitutional provisions we have for the National Guard , " said BG Thomas L . McCullough , then Commander of the Georgia Army National Guard . " I think it ' s new to them , but it is something they seem to find intriguing . They were very interested in anything that deals with democracy and democratization of their system . " In 2011 , the SPP enabled the Georgian government to complete a presidential initiative to develop a national military service academy . The Georgia National Defense Academy was established in the fall of 2011 , and it now serves as the primary commissioning source and critical enabler for force transformation and professionalization – a strategic priority for the country of Georgia . The SPP was involved from the inception , providing conduits to U . S . military academies for guidance and laying the groundwork for mutual collaboration with North Georgia College and State University . A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two universities stating , “ The cooperation between the parties shall be implemented to develop civilian and military curricula , internal quality assurance procedures and mechanisms . They will implement student and academic staff exchange programs and other joint activities . ” The disaster response / interagency coordination efforts within the SPP reached two major milestones in 2011 . In June , Georgia conducted a large , Georgian - led exercise with a U . S . observer controller team . The purpose of this exercise was to provide a forum to the Georgian military and civilian ministries to work together toward a common solution . This successful exercise is the culmination of over five years of bilateral efforts . The Georgians now have viable interagency partner capacity and the confidence to demonstrate it . In November 2011 , the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs volunteered to host the 2012 NATO Euro - Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center ’ s annual disaster response exercise . This exercise included 38 countries and over 1 , 000 participants , allowing Georgia to showcase their partner capacity . In 2012 , the SPP program continued supporting the annual event SHARED HORIZONS , a U . S . European Command directed exercise conducted by United States Army Europe . The exercise is designed to help the Republic of Georgia government provide civil response in the event of a natural or manmade disaster . The 2012 event saw about 12 Georgia Army Guardsmen and 25 USAREUR personnel working alongside 100 Georgian government officials at the Georgian National Guard Training Center . The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Defense are leading the exercise . “ What ’ s learned during these four days will help them better mitigate public suffering in the event the real thing ever happens , ” said Georgia Army Guard Col . Anthony Abbott , Shared Horizons 2012 exercise director . “ In addition , the Georgians will be equipped and trained to respond better to the questions civilian media will ask . ” Partnership focus . 2013 Planned Events Future Years Proposed Events :