FRANKFORT, Ky. –
Key leaders from the Kentucky National Guard (KYNG) and the Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) participated in a three-day key leader engagement and information exchange held from July 21–23 across multiple cities in Kentucky.
The gathering marked and celebrated the 10th anniversary of their partnership and ongoing cooperation through the Kentucky National Guard State Partnership Program (KYNG SPP), which aims to deepen strategic relationships between the United States and Djibouti.
“Whenever we come together–with this type of dynamic, this type of relationship–we learn from each other,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, Kentucky’s adjutant general.
Leaders from both delegations emphasized the engagement as a unique forum for strategic dialogue, relationship-building, and sharing high-level perspectives on military operations and civil-military cooperation.
The representatives for Djibouti included senior leader Colonel Amina Mohamed Moussa, Colonel Ali Aden, Colonel Siad Abdilahi Houssein, Captain Eleyeh Mohamed Bogoreh and Madame Zeinab Abdi Ainanche.
The U.S. delegation included Lamberton, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bruce Bancroft, assistant adjutant general for Air, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Daniel Cooper as well as many other civilian agency representatives.
According to U.S. Army Maj. Eric Green, director of the KYNG SPP, leaders from both forces joined in the discussions to explore ways to enhance cooperation in disaster response capabilities, cyber defense initiatives, and homeland security efforts. These topics aimed to strengthen mutual readiness and improve interagency coordination in support of both regional and national objectives.
The first day of the engagement began with an opening ceremony at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, formally celebrating the 10-year partnership. This was followed by informative presentations and discussions led by Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) and the Directorate of Military Support (DOMS). The Djiboutian officials toured the Emergency Operations Center and received briefings from Eric Gibson, director of KYEM, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Curtis Persinger, director of military support for the KYNG.
To conclude the day, the delegation boarded National Guard helicopters for a capabilities demonstration flight to Bluegrass Station in Avon. Upon arrival, they toured the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) facility and received a presentation from Doug Hargreaves, the KYEM USAR coordinator, further illustrating the state’s comprehensive readiness posture.
“What we need now, as partners, is more training to save lives,” said Colonel Amina Mohamed Moussa. “This partnership gives us the chance to prepare, to train together, and to protect our people better.”
"When disaster strikes—like the floods they faced in March 2024—rescue operations must be fast, effective, and joint," said the senior member of the Djiboutian team.
On the second day of their visit, the Djiboutian delegation toured “the Hive,” a facility near the University of Louisville (UofL) campus that showcases a partnership between the university and Kindred Healthcare. The facility focuses on developing healthcare technology solutions for aging care, such as mobile applications that monitor compliance. The delegation also received briefings from the Vice President of the UofL College of Business on community engagement, and from the Director of Research and Innovation on cybersecurity.
Also while in Louisville, the team toured the 123rd Airlift Wing and received briefings from key leaders of the 123rd Maintenance Group, the Fatality Search and Recovery Team (FSRT), and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERF-P) team to familiarize the Djiboutians with examples of the KYNG emergency response capabilities.
For the last several years, the Kentucky Air National Guard has also actively transferred knowledge through maintenance subject matter expertise exchanges. These exchanges have primarily focused on structural repair, engine maintenance and technical proficiencies.
As an example, the Kentucky Air National Guard provided specialized training earlier this year on the borescope, a tool vital for internal inspections of complex components. The highly specific tool enables Djiboutian maintenance professionals to perform these crucial internal inspections on-site.
The skills and knowledge gained from the exchange will be directly applicable as the Djiboutian Air Force acquires the Cessna 208 aircraft. While significantly different from the C-130J, both aircraft share some common maintenance characteristics, such as their use of propellers and engines.
On the last day of the engagement, the Djiboutian leaders had the opportunity to connect with Kentucky government officials, including Josh Keats, director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security; Robert Riley, senior foreign policy advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Jeff Noel, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development; and Ashli Watts, CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
Since their partnership began in 2015, the KYNG and FAD have collaborated on fixed-wing maintenance, medical operations, noncommissioned officer development, communications operations, and communications equipment maintenance. These efforts have strengthened operational capabilities, improved interoperability, and supported broader goals in security cooperation and disaster response.
The key leader engagement concluded with a shared commitment to continue building on the progress over the past decade. Both delegations expressed confidence that continued collaboration will lead to enhanced capabilities, improved coordination, and lasting professional relationships.
“To all the officers, noncommissioned officers, and Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard—thank you for your commitment and professionalism,” said Colonel Ali Aden, who spoke on behalf of the Djiboutian partners. "This partnership is not just about a signed agreement, we are celebrating a decade of sincere friendship, solidarity, and shared progress.”