Pennsylvania–Lithuania National Guard Partnership
The Pennsylvania-Lithuania National Guard Partnership is one of 25 European partnerships that make-up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 88 worldwide partnerships that make-up the National Guard State Partnership Program. The Partnership was established on April 27, 1993. In the 30 years that have followed, Pennsylvania and Lithuania have conducted more than 500 exchanges that cover diverse topics such as Senior Leader Engagements, Recruiting, NCO Professional Development, Military Decision Making Process and Strategic Planning, Range Development, Airfield Development and Standards, Defense Support to Civil Authorities, Family Programs, and Resiliency. Also, Pennsylvania and Lithuania have jointly deployed to Afghanistan in support of ISAF, including four rotations of a Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team. Pennsylvania also provided nine rotations of a team of Logistics Advisors to the Lithuanian led Provincial Reconstruction Team in the Gowhr Province. Pennsylvania and Lithuania are looking at other opportunities to jointly deploy to further expand the relationship between their militaries.
Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers participate in a joint live fire exercise with Lithuanian Soldiers as part of U.S. Army in Europe's multinational security exercise Saber Strike.
Soldiers from Pennsylvania visit an orphanage in Lithuania to help repair sports and playground equipment, assist with landscaping chores and play with the children at the facility.
A Pennsylvania Guardsman instructs Lithuanian troops on vehicle extraction techniques.
MG Jessica L. Wright, the Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard, meets with Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, the Chief of Defence of Lithuania.
U.S. European Command State Partnership Program
The United States European Command State Partnership Program, according to its own mission, is a National Guard program that "links U.S. states with designated partner countries to ... support the command’s security cooperation objectives." Currently, 22 Partnerships exist "with former Soviet, Yugoslav and Warsaw Pact countries in the EUCOM Area of Responsibility." Becoming independent on the dissolution of the Soviet Union on December 26, 1991, these countries shortly requested the advice and assistance of the United States in creating new self-defense forces.
Indiana National Guard and Slovak troops train for medical evacuations in Slovakia
Soldiers from Slovenia and Colorado practice explosive breaching techniques during a three-week Joint Combined Exchange Training exercise in Slovenia
The Ohio TAG awards the Ohio Commendation Medal to Hungary soldiers
Soldiers from Kansas and Armenia train together on demining operations