INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana National Guard traveled to Slovakia for a State Partnership Program-sponsored visit Aug. 26 -- 31. The main purpose of this visit was to solidify the renewal of the partnership with Slovakia, extending the 23-year-old legacy of cooperation for three more years.
"This three-year renewal formally recognizes that our relationship with Slovakia is mutually beneficial and that it should continue," said Army Maj. Scott Andrews, the Indiana National Guard State Partnership Program assistant coordinator. "This visit is exemplary of proven partnerships built upon shared values, experiences, and trust."
During the six-day visit, the Indiana delegation met with leadership from the 2nd Mechanized Brigade of the Slovak Armed Forces, headquartered in Presov, to discuss and exchange ideas concerning the priorities and national goal of the mechanized brigade. This included talking about the structure of the brigade, recent modernizations, budget concerns and upcoming training exercises that will strengthen the partnership. The delegation also toured the town hall, mayor's office, and flight facilities in Presov, focusing on the recent aircraft modernizations in an aviation brigade.
"A top priority for us is to preserve our mutual commitment and trust as we face declining defense budgets and evolving strategic challenges," said Maj. Gen. Courtney P. Carr, the Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard. "Our commitment to the security and territorial integrity of our NATO ally and state partner is resolute."
Some of the highlights of the Slovakia trip included discussions on aviation maintenance operations, recruitment, and long-term Slovak Armed Forces development plan. The delegation also had the opportunity to attend the 73rd anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising Ceremony located in Banska Bystrica.
The visit wrapped up with a presentation and tour at the NATO Forces Integration Unit located in Vajnory. The delegation received information about the unit's accomplishments and future plans and exercises.
The Indiana-Slovakia Partnership was established on Feb. 9, 1994, although the Indiana National Guard's participation goes back to 1993. This is one of the stronger partnerships of the State Partnership Program, as the Indiana National Guard conducts almost monthly exchanges with our partners.
The Indiana National Guard and the Slovak Republic have several exercises planned in the upcoming months to include BLONDE AVALANCHE, an engineer-oriented exercise involving the Tisa Battalion -- a multinational unit comprised of assets from Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine. A platoon of Austrian engineers will also participate.
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