Ecuadorian military leaders visit Kentucky Air Guard

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elija Lamastus, right, a medic assigned the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group Detachment 1, demonstrates the use of a combat application tourniquet to Ecuadorian Navy Adm. Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of staff of the Ecuadorian military, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. Vela Erazo is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elija Lamastus, right, a medic assigned the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group Detachment 1, demonstrates the use of a combat application tourniquet to Ecuadorian Navy Adm. Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of staff of the Ecuadorian military, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. Vela Erazo is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kevin Woodard, non-commissioned officer in charge of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team, provides a mission brief to Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kevin Woodard, non-commissioned officer in charge of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team, provides a mission brief to Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the Kentucky National Guard’s 41st Civil Support Team – Weapons of Mass Destruction, identifies a potentially hazardous chemical using Raman spectroscopy as part of a demonstration for Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the Kentucky National Guard’s 41st Civil Support Team – Weapons of Mass Destruction, identifies a potentially hazardous chemical using Raman spectroscopy as part of a demonstration for Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Ecuadorian Navy Adm. Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of staff of the Ecuadorian military, attends a mission briefing at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. He is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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Ecuadorian Navy Adm. Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of staff of the Ecuadorian military, attends a mission briefing at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. He is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Sam Williams, right, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, briefs senior leaders from the Ecuadorian military on the capabilities of the aircraft at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Sam Williams, right, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, briefs senior leaders from the Ecuadorian military on the capabilities of the aircraft at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carolyn Peabody, a member of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team, provides a mission brief to Ecuadorian Navy Adm. Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of staff of the Ecuadorian military, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. Vela Erazo is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carolyn Peabody, a member of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team, provides a mission brief to Ecuadorian Navy Adm. Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of staff of the Ecuadorian military, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. Vela Erazo is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dustin Turner, right, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, discusses the use of remote-controlled EOD robots with Ecuadorian Air Force Maj. Gen. Mauricio Xavier Salazar at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. Salazar is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dustin Turner, right, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, discusses the use of remote-controlled EOD robots with Ecuadorian Air Force Maj. Gen. Mauricio Xavier Salazar at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. Salazar is one of several Ecuadorian military leaders visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Elmer Quijada, right, a pararescueman assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, provides a mission brief to key leaders from the Ecuadorian military at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Elmer Quijada, right, a pararescueman assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, provides a mission brief to key leaders from the Ecuadorian military at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Army Maj. Jean-Paul Montreuil, a physician assistant assigned to the Kentucky National Guard’s 41st Civil Support Team – Weapons of Mass Destruction, provides a mission brief to key leaders from the Ecuadorian military at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Army Maj. Jean-Paul Montreuil, a physician assistant assigned to the Kentucky National Guard’s 41st Civil Support Team – Weapons of Mass Destruction, provides a mission brief to key leaders from the Ecuadorian military at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Blake Nicholson, center, a security forces specialist assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, discusses the use of civil disturbance protective equipment with Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Blake Nicholson, center, a security forces specialist assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, discusses the use of civil disturbance protective equipment with Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Col. George Imorde, deputy commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, provides a mission brief to a group of Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer) by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Col. George Imorde, deputy commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, provides a mission brief to a group of Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer) by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Elmer Quijada, left, a pararescueman assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, discusses the unit’s radio equipment with Ecuadorian Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Humberto Rodriguez Castillo at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. A group of Ecuadorian military leaders are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Elmer Quijada, left, a pararescueman assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, discusses the unit’s radio equipment with Ecuadorian Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Humberto Rodriguez Castillo at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. A group of Ecuadorian military leaders are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Wilt, right, superintendent of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, demonstrates a remote-controlled EOD robot with Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Wilt, right, superintendent of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, demonstrates a remote-controlled EOD robot with Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Kentucky National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package, demonstrate techniques used to recover people trapped under debris as part of a mission brief for Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Kentucky National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package, demonstrate techniques used to recover people trapped under debris as part of a mission brief for Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Blair Baerny, second from left, a pararescuman assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, discusses tactical vehicles with Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Blair Baerny, second from left, a pararescuman assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, discusses tactical vehicles with Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Wilt, left, superintendent of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, discusses mine detection equipment with Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Wilt, left, superintendent of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, discusses mine detection equipment with Ecuadorian military leaders at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Army Capt. Patrick McCoy, left, officer in charge of the Kentucky National Guard’s 41st Civil Support Team – Weapons of Mass Destruction, provides a mission brief to key leaders from the Ecuadorian military at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Army Capt. Patrick McCoy, left, officer in charge of the Kentucky National Guard’s 41st Civil Support Team – Weapons of Mass Destruction, provides a mission brief to key leaders from the Ecuadorian military at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Collin King, left, a loadmaster assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, briefs senior leaders from the Ecuadorian military on the capabilities of the unit’s new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Collin King, left, a loadmaster assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, briefs senior leaders from the Ecuadorian military on the capabilities of the unit’s new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. The Ecuadorians are visiting this week to exchange information with the Kentucky National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a National Guard Bureau effort that pairs Guard units with foreign allies to foster enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Key leaders from the Ecuadorian military met with Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard on Wednesday to tour the 123rd Airlift Wing here and learn more about the wing’s missions.

They also spoke with unit members about their roles in supporting U.S. military operations around the world while also serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky during times of crisis or natural disaster.

The Kentucky Army and Air National Guard have been partners with the Ecuadorian military since 1996 through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.

The cooperative military-to-military exchange matches U.S. National Guard units with foreign allies, fostering enhanced understanding across all aspects of civil and military affairs.

123rd Airlift Wing

Kentucky Air National Guard

State Partnership Program

Ecuador

Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador

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Ecuadorian military leaders visit Kentucky Air Guard

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